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

Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

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

Whatever type of car seat you select make sure your child is dressed in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to get a snug fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear are designed to fit newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. These car seats typically include an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable inside the shell of the seat.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.

The majority of car seat manufacturers offer the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted in order to stop the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle stops. You can read the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer for your car seat. Avoid putting your infant in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They can prevent an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their neck and chest.

Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They worry that the force of the crash could eject their baby's legs or feet, or their neck and head may be violently thrown forward during an accident that is side-to-side. But, it's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing position.

A video posted by an influencer of car seats shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulator. The head injury that follows is awe-inspiring. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is held by the shell.

So, if your state law requires you to change your child's back avoid it! This does not line up with best practices. That is why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses are used to secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the headrest, recline angle, and stroller attachments depending on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's understandable that parents would like to change their child's behavior as soon as they can however, the current norm states that kids under one year of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds or 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash of a rear-end crash, which is what happens when a baby is pushed forward during an accident.

If a child is thrown forward in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and torn which can cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are secured by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury.

In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle during an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests, as opposed to their necks in the event of a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their size. Always consult the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a technician for car seats who is accredited in your area.

When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that begins in the rear-facing position and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using lap-sash seatbelts.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn when it comes to deciding between an infant car seat and a convertible one. Both have their advantages, but which one is best infant car seat for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants however if you are looking for something that will last for many 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 can be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than the infant car seat travel car seat, allowing for longer use.

If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat, be sure to check whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body up so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from slapping against the harness straps.

Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle parents use to transfer them between vehicles, and some of them can be connected to strollers to create a travel system. This feature allows you to go from your car to your stroller, without disturbing your baby for trips to the grocery store mall, the doctor's office, or visits.

In the end, however your child will eventually outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Many experts agree that it's the right time to move to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top rated baby car seats of the seat, but be certain to read the manual to make sure your child is in the right place.

Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than infant car seats at first however, they could be cheaper over time because you can use them for many years. Additionally, certain models come with lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could lessen the risk of injuries in an accident.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the first thing to consider when shopping for infant car seats. All infant car seats are required to conform to federal safety standards. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra peace of mind.

High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses can ensure your child's safety maintained. Load legs that brace the seat's base and reduce the force of an accident, are also available.

Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will help you determine its safety prior to purchasing. However, it's important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is the way it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats stem from improper use -- or in the case of an incorrect installation or improper restraint of the child -- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

If you'd like to be sure that you are using the correct car seat for your infant car Seat newborn, choose a seat that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom that will show you EXACTLY how to position it. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. One good sign of this is the sound that it makes when you tighten.

Also, 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 excursion to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash and leaving your infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface can cause injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip or roll can cause injuries or even death to infants.

You will need a booster car seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money in the long term. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.