Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats can be detached from their base and slid into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This makes them popular with parents who are planning to travel frequently outside of the city.
No matter which car seat you select, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to get an ideal fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have a rearward-facing position are designed to fit newborns and small children up to a weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is comfortably positioned inside the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.
Most manufacturers design their car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. You can either read the manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They could hinder a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their neck and chest.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may eject their baby's legs or feet, or that their neck and head may be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. However, it's important to remember that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than the forward-facing one.
A video by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward facing Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 i-Size Car Seat - Authentic Black - https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/products/authentic-black-maxi-cosi-pea... seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The resultant head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. The video of the same crash from the seat facing rearward isn't as horrific because the child's head is cradled by the shell.
If your state requires that you face your child forward, ignore it. This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until 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 secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. Most infant car seats are designed to accommodate a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to switch to a forward facing car seat.
While it's understandable that parents would like to get their child back as soon as they can, the current standard mandates that kids under one year of age must be rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds or one year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal crash the spinal cord 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 remain together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the car in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests, as opposed to their necks, in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a Nania Princess Booster Seat - Ideal for Ages 8-12, https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/products/nania-princess-booster-seat-f... - https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/products/nania-princess-booster-seat-f... , seat with lap-sash seatbelts for adults after they've reached their recommended age and weight.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages, but which one is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a long-lasting car seat for infants.
As your child grows and becomes a convertible infant car seat, they can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. Based on the model, they are able to be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, allowing them to last longer.
If you choose to purchase convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that can to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These sturdy pads raise the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them forward slightly in order to prevent their heads from slapping against the straps on their harness.
Some infant car seats come with a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits.
At some point your child will eventually outgrow their car seat for infants or reach their weight limit or height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Review the instructions in your seat's manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially, but they can be more affordable over time since they can be used for many years. Some models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This can reduce injuries during a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents additional security.
Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the force of a crash, are also available.
An effective method to determine how secure an infant car seat is prior to buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It is essential to remember that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats result from negligence -- either incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the childbut not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.
If you'd like to be sure that you are using the right car seat for your baby, choose a seat that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is an excellent indicator.
Even if you're merely going to the store or making a quick trip to the park, you should never leave your infant in a car. It's not just dangerous in the event of a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that roll or tip over can also injure or suffocate infants.
You will need an additional car seat at some time. Consider a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money over the long run. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.