15 Things You Don't Know About Infant Car Seat Newborn

Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to make frequent trips out of the city.

Whatever type of car seat you pick, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to get a snug fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to accommodate newborns and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortable in the seat shell.

The AAP and 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 and all in one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

Most manufacturers create car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. You'll need to study your car seat's manual to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by an influencer for your car seat to discover how to do it. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing like blankets or coats. They can prevent a snug fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.

Many parents aren't comfortable changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may throw their child's legs or feet, or that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in a side-impact. It's important to remember that rear-facing offers a better level of protection than forward-facing.

A video from a car seat influencer shows a child sitting in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The resulting head injury is horrendous. The video of the same incident from the rear seat is not as bad 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 line with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses to help keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments, based on the model of car seat. Most infant car seats have the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, 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 change their baby's position as soon as they can, but the current standard requires that children less than one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which occurs when a child turns forward in an accident.

If a baby is 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 the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury.

Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the back of the car during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest rather than their necks, in the event of a collision.

Considering these risks, it's vital parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their height. Always refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making the decision. You can also seek expert advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your region.

When a baby outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing location and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash adult seatbelts when they've reached the recommended weight and age.

Convertible

Many new parents are confused in deciding between a car seat for infants and convertible ones. Both have their benefits however, which is the right choice for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last for many years it is likely that a convertible would be the better choice.

As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be moved from rear-facing to front-facing. Based on the model, they are able to fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, allowing them to last longer.

If you decide to buy a convertible infant car seat Be sure to verify whether it comes with removable infant inserts that provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from hitting the straps on their harness.

Infant car seats also tend to have a handle parents use to move between cars and can click into strollers to create a transport system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby.

At some point, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within one 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 could be more affordable over time since you can use them for a number of years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors which permit you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which can minimize injuries from an accident.

Safety Ratings

When shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be the top priority. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, but some exceed the norm to offer extra assurance for parents.

Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat to reduce the force of a crash, are available as well.

An effective method to determine how secure an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. It is important to remember that the usage of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. According to our discussions the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints of the child.

If you'd like to be certain that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, make sure you choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. Also, ensure that you securely secure the straps to the abdomen and chest of your child before you install it. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.

When you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, never leave the car seat unattended, even if you're just going to the shop or taking a short visit to the park. In addition to being a terrible idea in the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky practice that can result in injuries and falls. Car seats that roll or tip over can cause injury or death to babies.

You will need a booster car seat at some point. To save money in the future opt for an all-in-one or convertible Maxi-Cosi Foldable Car Seat: Compact & Lightweight seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.