How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly

A baby seat is a crash tested, regulated seat which protects children in the event of a car collision.

Babies should ride in rear-facing rotating infant car seat seats until they reach the weight limit or height that is set by the manufacturer of their seat.

Installation Ease

Car seats must pass stringent safety tests before they can be sold, but even the Best Infant Car Seat seat can be unsafe in the event that it isn't installed correctly. That's why it's one of the most important features to look for in car seats. It's crucial to spend the time to understand how to install the car seat and to practice the installation prior to when the baby is born.

The first step is to go through the manual for your car seat. You can skip the table of contents and proceed to the index. Find the "child safety seats" section. The exact directions will differ based on the brand and model of your vehicle, but the majority have a place in the back for child seats.

It is also important to determine whether your car is equipped with a LATCH system and what type of lower anchors it has because some seats have different types. The best car seats for newborns infant car seats that swivel car seats will have a system that's simple to use, with clear instructions and an indicator that changes color to indicate when the lower anchors are properly connected. Many models will click when properly locked and is a great method to verify the seat's security.

If you're looking to add security, choose a seat with an easy-to install base and load leg. This will keep the seat from exploding during the event of a crash, and also from tipping over during braking. You'll also want to take into consideration the weight of the base and the seat. You don't want your heavy and bulky seat that is too difficult to carry.

If you're not sure how to install your child safety seat, you might find it helpful to ask for advice from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to show parents and caregivers the correct way to install car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a list inspection stations.

Ease of Use

A baby seat can also be called a car seat or infant safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and hold the smallest of children. They typically have a base that stays buckled in the vehicle, and snaps in and out to be used as a carrier or convertible seat. They are often lightweight, and some come with stroller attachments that allow parents or caregivers move the sleeping child with no need to wake them.

The government sets standards for car seats based on weight, height, and age to ensure children are safe in the event of an accident. These standards, referred to as the federal motor vehicle safety regulation (FMVSR) are guidelines for manufacturers when they are designing and testing their products. To be sold in the United States, a seat must pass these tests.

A lot of portable infant car seat seats are made of plastic, particularly those that are cheaper. The headrest and harness are designed to absorb the force of a collision, breaking up the plastic and dissipating the impact. Higher-end models can utilize softer and more flexible foam that is able to better shield children from the shock. EPS foam is often utilized in safety products that must be lightweight and impact resistant such as car seats and helmets.

A safe car seat should have a 5-point harness. It should connect at the hips, shoulders, and between the legs. It should also include an over-tether that keeps the child secure in the event of a frontal collision. The straps should have a device that allows them to be tightened and loosened. This can be done by pressing the button or pulling a lever located between the child's knees.

Make sure the car seat is able to fit in the other vehicles in your family, if you plan to use it often. There are guides from manufacturers online which show how their seats can fit in different family vehicles. Utilizing Isofix connectors that are built into the seat and connect to the vehicle's anchor points with just a single click, could make this process easier.

Safety

Parents often put in a lot of effort to protect their children from illnesses as well as injuries caused by bullies and sports, but one of the most effective methods to protect children is to use car seats. A child restraint system reduces the risk of injuries by more than 70% compared with unrestrained adults -- however, it's only effective when it is used properly. However, according to a few Canadian and American studies, 73 percent car seats are not properly used.

The best car seats infant way to ensure that your child or toddler is secure in the case of an accident is to select a car seat equipped with a 5-point safety harness. The 5-point harness assists in disperse the force of a collision across a larger portion of the body. This decreases the chance of injury. The harness also keeps the car seat firmly in place, which means it won't move much during a collision and increase your child's risk of injury.

The best infant car seats also come with a cushioned seat that is comfortable for your child and offers plenty of head support. Some have special energy-absorbing foams and other features that protect your baby's head and chest in the event of a collision with a car.

Avoid buying or borrowing car seats from garage sales, flea markets or second-hand shops because you don't know the history of the seat or if it has been in an accident. It is also recommended to be wary of using a seat that is more than six years old.

Before installing a seat for your child, make sure the latch is secure and that the straps are secure. Don't allow your child to wear bulky clothes when they are in the seat. The fabric can compress in a crash, leaving the harness straps loose. This increases your child's injury risk.

You'll need a booster or convertible seat once your child is past the weight and height limits of an infant seat. The instruction manual of the seat will include the recommended weights and ages.

Reliability

A baby car seat, or child safety seat, is a crash-tested device that is designed to hold children and babies when they travel in vehicles. The device secures the child using a harness, and in certain models, it is cradled and moves along with them in an accident to lessen the pressure on their necks and spinal cords. It is essential that the infant seat is properly fitted in your vehicle and is used correctly each time you drive without any additional products attached.

A system that can detect and communicates the unintended adverse effects of medical or consumer products - like car seats - would be valuable for parents. Similar to the phase IV trials which study the unknown side effects of pharmaceuticals after they are marketed, such a system could gather data from doctors who diagnose car seat-related injuries and encourage patients to report any issues to Transport Canada (9).

Whether you use the LATCH (lower attachment) or the vehicle belt to secure your child's car seat, be sure to check the manual to make sure it's done right. Many car seats come with manuals to show you how to fit the seat into your vehicle. Many manufacturers also have online guides. If you're sharing your car or travel with other family members frequently, think about getting a baby seat that has Isofix connectors built in to make installation easier.

If you have an older or second-hand car seat make sure that it hasn't been involved in no recent moderate or severe crashes. Verify that it hasn't been recalled or damaged, and read the instruction manual carefully to ensure that your child can sit straight, bend their knees easily over the front edge of the seat, and that they can safely wear a lap belt low on their hips and a shoulder belts across their chest and mid-chest (9).

Certain children have special needs or physical or behavioral problems that require a specially-designed car seat that is specifically designed for children with special needs. The only method of transporting these children is in a seat that is specially designed for them and installed correctly. For more information, call your pediatrician or the local public health program.