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Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town.

No matter which car seat you pick make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. The weight of blankets and clothing can make it difficult to find an appropriate fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a certain weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. These car seats typically come with an infant insert to ensure that the baby seat's head is comfortable positioned within the seat's shell.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.

Most car seat manufacturers include the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle stops. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer. It's also important to avoid placing your baby in bulky clothing like blankets and coats as they could hinder the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around the baby's chest and neck.

Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the impact force could eject the baby's legs and feet, or that their neck and head could be thrown forward violently in a side impact. It's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than forward-facing.

A video from an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulation. The head injury that results is horrific. The video of the same crash from the rear seat isn't as horrific because the child's head is held by the shell.

If your state requires you to put your child forward, ignore it. This is not in accordance with the best car seats for infants practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them in the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be able to adjust the angle of recline and headrest to ensure their child's comfort as well as choose from various attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's understandable for parents to want to change their baby's position as quickly as they can, however, the current law requires that children less than one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash of an rear-end collision which happens when a baby turns forward during a crash.

If a baby's neck gets thrust forward during an accident that is frontal the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which can lead to paralysis or death. If a child is facing backwards in a car the neck bones are held together and secured by the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.

Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the back of the car during an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.

Considering these risks It is crucial parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure their child is in the right car seat for their size. Check the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a technician for car seats who is certified in your area.

When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing location and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash belts.

Convertible

Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and a convertible one. Both have their advantages but which is the best car seat infant choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a fantastic option for a long-lasting car seat for infants.

Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats come with higher weight and size limits than infant car seat that allow for more use.

Check if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable newborn inserts to ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit in order to prevent their heads from hitting the straps on their harness.

Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby.

In the end, however your child will outgrow their car seat for infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within one inch of the top rated infant car seats edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is ready.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than baby car seats at first, but they can be more affordable over time since you can use them for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors, which make it easier to install. This could help reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some go above and beyond to provide extra peace of mind for parents.

Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the force of a crash, are also available.

Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can help you determine its safety before you purchase. However it is important to remember that the most important factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is how it's used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by improper use -- or in the case of an incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.

If you'd like to be sure that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, choose a seat with a simple guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY how to position it. Additionally, make sure to firmly tighten the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.

When you're out and about with your child in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the shop or taking a short excursion to the park. Apart from being an unwise decision in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky option that can lead to falls and injuries. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies or, worse yet, suffocate them.

While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it's all about price at this point be aware that you'll need a booster seat at some time. To save money in the long run, choose a convertible or all-in one car seat that gives you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.