You'll Never Guess This Infant Car Seat Newborn's Secrets

Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to frequently travel out of town.

Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you pick. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is comfortable placed inside the seat shell.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats, whichever comes first. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your baby to sit rear facing longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

The majority of manufacturers design their car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. You'll need to study the manual for your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat to learn how. It's also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing like blankets and coats, because they can prevent the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around the baby's chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing as they worry the force of a crash will throw the child's legs and feet or that their head and neck may be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. But, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing one.

A video by a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in a crash simulation. The head injury that follows is horrifying. The video of the same crash from the rear seat isn't as severe 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 car seats infant practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them into the seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents might be in a position to adjust the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, as well as select several attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.

It's understandable parents' desire to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children under one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which occurs when a child turns into the opposite direction 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. If a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, which prevents this type of injury.

Rear-facing babies are also less likely to end up in the back of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.

Considering these risks In light of these risks, it is essential for parents to follow the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure their child is using the right car seat for their height. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. It's recommended to visit a certified car seat technician in your area for professional help and advice.

If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing mode and switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with a lap-sash seatbelt.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages however which one is best for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a long-lasting car seat for infants.

Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. Based on the model, they can fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than the infant car seat, allowing for longer use.

Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable infant car seat travel inserts that will ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm padding lifts the infant's torso, so they can get to the smallest strap slots, and it pushes them forward a bit to stop their head from sliding back against the straps of their harness or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).

Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby.

In the end, however, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to transition to a convertible seat once your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be certain to read the instruction manual to ensure your child is ready.

Although convertible car seats may appear to be more expensive in the beginning than infant car seats but they can be more affordable in the long term because you'll be able to use them for a long time. In addition, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could minimize injuries from an accident.

Safety Ratings

When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. 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 provide parents with additional peace of mind.

Premium features such as anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs that brace the seat's base and help reduce the force during an accident, are also available.

Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat will help you determine its safety before purchasing. It is essential to remember 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 are caused by improper use -- or in the case of an inadequate installation or improper restraint of a child- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

If you want to make sure that you are using the right car seat for your baby, then look for one with a simple guide, lots of indicators that the seat is level and secure, and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. Make sure you firmly tighten the straps to the abdomen and chest of your child before you install it. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.

Also, when you're out and about with your baby in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick visit to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat for travel car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can cause injuries to babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

You will need a booster car seat at some point. Consider a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long term. These seats will provide more options and last longer than infant car seat newborn (Suggested Reading) car seats.