Infant Car Seat Newborn Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to take frequent trips outside of the city.

Whatever type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats that have an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortably placed 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 and all-in-one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5.

The majority of car seats have the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted in order to prevent the baby's back from sliding forward when the car stops. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle or watch a video by a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your infant in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They can prevent an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.

Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or that their neck and head could be violently thrown forward during an accident that is side-to-side. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a greater level of protection than forward-facing.

A video from an influencer of car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The resulting head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe, because a child's head is in the car seat's shell.

If your state law requires you to move your child's back do not follow it! This is not in accordance with the best car seat infant practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.

Forward-Facing

Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses help secure them into the seat. Parents can adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments, based on the type of car seat. Most infant car seats are designed to accommodate an upper weight and height limit and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's normal parents' desire to change their baby's position as quickly as they can, but the current standard stipulates that children younger than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the whiplash that comes with a rear-end crash, which is what happens when a child turns to the side in an accident.

If a baby's neck is thrust forward during an accident in front the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could lead to paralysis or death. If a child is seated backwards in a car their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this kind of injury.

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

Considering these risks, it's vital for parents to adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure their child is in the right car seat for their size. Take a look at the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. You can also seek professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is accredited in your area.

When an infant grows out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to convertible car seats. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing mode and switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a lap-sash adult seatbelts after they've reached their recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages, but which one is best car seats for infants 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 a better option.

Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. Based on the model, they are able to fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than infant car seat, allowing for longer use.

Make sure that the convertible car seat is equipped with removable newborn inserts to ensure a secure fit for your child. These paddings raise the infant's torso so they can fit into the smallest strap slots, and pushes them forward slightly to stop their head from slipping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).

Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to go from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the supermarket mall, the doctor's office, or visits.

Eventually, though, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to transition to a convertible seat once their head is within an inch of the top rated infant car seats of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's 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. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could reduce injuries in an accident.

Safety Ratings

When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety is foremost in your mind. All baby car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some surpass the minimum requirements to provide extra assurance for parents.

Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, will aid in ensuring that your child is secure properly and securely. Load legs, which support the base of the seat and reduce the force of the event of a crash, are also available.

A good way to determine the safety of an infant car seat is prior to buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It is important to keep in mind that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats stem from improper use -- or in the case of an improper installation or improper restraint of a childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.

If you'd like to be certain that you're using the correct car seat for your infant, choose a seat with a simple manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY how to position it. Make sure you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces as you tighten.

Even if you're just going to the market or making a quick visit to the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant unattended in a car. It's not just dangerous in the event of a 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 cause injuries to babies, or worse, suffocate them.

While the decision between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat might seem like it comes down to price at this point be aware that you'll need an additional booster seat at some point. To save money in the long run consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.