Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of baby car seats can be removed from their base, and snapped into a stroller that is compatible for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to take frequent trips out of town.

Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps can comfortably be positioned over their shoulders and hips regardless of the car seat you select. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to find an ideal fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear are designed to fit infants and small children up to a certain weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. They typically include an infant insert that ensures a newborn's head is comfortably in 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 limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5.

The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from falling backwards when the car is stopped. You can read the manual that comes with your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer for your car seat. 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 change their child's position from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the impact force could eject the baby's feet and legs or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a side collision. It's important to keep in mind that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than forward-facing.

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

If your state requires you to put your child forward, ignore it. This does not line up with best practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

infant car seat cheap car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that 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 are designed to accommodate the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to move to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's understandable that parents want to change their child's behavior as soon as possible however, the current norm states that kids under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds or 1 year of age. The reason is that neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision. This occurs when a child turns forward 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. If a child is looking backwards while driving the neck bones are kept together and protected by the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.

Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the car in an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chest instead of their necks, in a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their size. Refer to the car seat instructions from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. It's also a good idea to visit a reputable car seat technician in your area to get expert advice and assistance.

When an infant grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster with a lap-sash seatbelt.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible one. Both have their benefits, but which one is the best choice for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants however if you are looking for something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable.

Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Depending on the model, they are able to fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats newborn seats, allowing them to be used for longer.

Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable infant inserts that will ensure a secure fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body up so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps and push them forward slightly in order to prevent their heads from slapping against the harness straps.

Some infant car seats on sale car seats come with handles to make it easier to move between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature makes it easy to transfer your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits.

In the end, however your child will eventually outgrow their Infant car seat newborn car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or their 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 rated baby car seats edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is prepared.

Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be more affordable over time since you can use them for a long time. Additionally, some models come with lower anchors that allow the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which can reduce injuries in an accident.

Safety Ratings

When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All infant car seat swivel car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some exceed the norm to provide extra peace of mind for parents.

High-end features like anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the impact force of a crash are also available.

Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can help you determine its safety prior to purchasing. It is essential to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the child -but not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.

If you want to be certain that you're using the right car seat for your baby, choose a seat that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. Make sure you securely secure the straps to the abdomen and chest of your child before you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is an excellent indicator.

Even if you're just running to the market or making a quick trip into the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant in the car. It's not just risky in the event of a car crash and leaving your infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats 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 seats may seem like it boils down to the cost, keep in mind that you will need an additional booster seat at some point. To save money over the long term opt for a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.