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 for easy transportation. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to take frequent trips out of the city.

No matter which car seat you choose Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a baby is securely placed inside the shell of the seat.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, right up to 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

Most manufacturers create car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby’s head from sliding forward when the vehicle is stopped. You’ll need to study the manual for your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle, or look up a video from an influencer of your car seat to discover how to do it. It’s also important to avoid placing your baby in bulky clothing, like blankets and coats because they can hinder the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around your infant’s chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash may cause the baby’s legs to be ejected from their feet, or their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in an accident that is side-to-side. However, it’s important to remember that the rear-facing position provides more protection than the forward-facing one.

A video from a car seat influencer shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in the crash simulation. The head injury that results is terrifying. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific as the head of a child is in the car seat’s shell.

If your state law requires you to change your child to forward-facing avoid it! This is not in line with the best car seat practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made to cradle newborns and infants, with harnesses that help to secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they’re ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.

While it’s normal for parents to want to turn their child around as soon as possible however, the current norm states that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because infants’ neck muscles aren’t strong enough to withstand the force of an rear-end collision, which is what happens when a child turns to the side in a crash.

If a baby is thrown forward during a collision with a car, the spinal chord can be stretched and torn and cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are secured by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury.

In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the car in an accident. In a collision, they’re less likely to get injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for his or their size. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer’s car seat and the owner’s manual for your vehicle when making a decision. It’s also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area for expert assistance and advice.

When a baby outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position and shifts to forward-facing when they’ve reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using lap-sash belts.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages but which one is best infant car seat for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants However, if you’re looking for something that lasts for many years then a convertible may be more suitable.

As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be changed from rear-facing to front-facing. Based on the model, they can accommodate children from infanthood to late elementary school. Certain rear-facing car seats come with greater weight and size limitations than infant car seat, allowing for longer use.

If you opt for a convertible infant car seat make sure to determine whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that can provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These firm pads lift the infant’s body up so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the straps of their harness.

Car seats for infants also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature allows you to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket, mall, or doctor visits.

In the end, however, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree it’s time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child’s head is within 1 inch of the top rated baby car seats edge of the seat. Check the instruction manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.

While convertible car seats can appear to be more expensive in the beginning than car seats for infants however, they could be less expensive in the long run since you’ll be in a position to use them for several years. Some models also have lower anchors which allows for a simpler installation. This could reduce the risk of the chance of injury in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the most important factor to think about when buying car seats for infants. All infant car seats are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above the minimum requirements to give parents additional security.

Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Load legs, which brace the seat’s base and reduce the force during an accident, are also available.

An effective method to determine how secure an infant car seat newborn car seat is before buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It is important to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. According to our conversations most accidents involving infant car seats are caused by misuse — either unsafe installations or improper restraints for the child.

To be sure you’re using an infant car seat properly, search for one that has a clear instructions manual and lots of indicators to show it’s solid and level, with bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY which position to put the seat. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby’s abdomen and chest. One good sign of this is the sound that it makes as you tighten.

Even if you’re just running to the store or taking a short trip to the park, it’s not a good idea to leave your infant unattended in the car. It’s not just risky in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip or roll can also injure or suffocate babies.

While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to the cost, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some time. To save money in the future consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.