Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know

The majority of infant car seats disengage from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to travel frequently outside of the city.

Whatever type of car seat you select make sure your child is dressed in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seat with a rear-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is securely inside the shell of the seat.

The AAP and 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. Some convertible or all in one car seats allow your baby to sit rear facing longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

The majority of manufacturers create car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby’s head from falling forward when the vehicle is stopped. You can either read the instruction manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat. It is also important to avoid wearing your child in bulky clothing, such as coats or blankets because they can hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around your infant’s chest and neck.

Many parents are reluctant to change their child’s position from rear-facing to forward-facing because they worry the impact force could cause the baby to lose their feet and legs, or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a side impact. However, it’s crucial to remember that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than the forward-facing one.

A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an Infant Car Seat Newborn in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that occurs is horrifying. 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 law requires you to change your child to forward-facing, ignore it! This is not in line with the best car seats for newborns uk practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat for newborn seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are designed to cradle newborns and infants, with harnesses that help secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats on sale car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow these seats before they are ready to move to a forward-facing car seat.

It’s understandable for parents to want to turn their baby around as soon as they can however, the current law requires that children less than one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision. This happens when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.

If a child is caught in a frontal crash, the spinal chord can be stretched and strained which can cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are protected by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.

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

With these risks in mind In light of these risks, it is essential for parents to adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their height. Check the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and your vehicle’s owner’s manual before making a choice. It’s also a good idea to visit a certified car seat technician in your area for expert assistance and advice.

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

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have their advantages however, which is the right choice for your family? A car seat for infants is great for newborns However, if you’re looking for something that lasts for many years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option.

Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. They are able to accommodate children from the age of infancy to late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Certain rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than infant car seat that allow for more 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. The firm padding raises the infant’s body so that they can reach the lowest slots in the straps, and it pushes them forward a bit to stop their head from sliding back against the straps of their harness or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia).

Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature makes it easy to move from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the store mall, the doctor’s office, or visits.

Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight or height limit. Many experts agree that it’s time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child’s head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Check the instruction manual to ensure that your child is prepared.

Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than baby car seats at first however they can turn out to be less expensive over time due to the fact that they can be used for many years. Certain models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could reduce the risk of injuries during an accident.

Safety Ratings

When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above the minimum requirements to give parents additional peace of mind.

Premium features, like adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and bars that prevent rebounding, can help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in an accident, are also available.

A good way to determine the safety of an infant car seat in front seat car seat is prior to buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It’s important to remember that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations most accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by improper use, either through unsafe installations or improper restraints of the child.

To be sure you’re using an infant car seat correctly, look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual and plenty of indicators to show it’s solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Also, ensure that you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.

Even if you’re just going to the market or making a quick visit into the park, it’s not a good idea to leave your child unattended in a car. It’s not just risky in the event of a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats that are prone to tipping over or roll could also hit and injure babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

While the decision between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to price at this point be aware that you will need an additional booster seat at some time. To save money in the future opt for an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.