You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out 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 snapped into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town.

Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders, regardless of which car seat you select. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to support newborns and children as high as the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is securely in the seat's shell.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to age 4 or 5.

The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from falling forward when the vehicle is stopped. You can either read the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer of your car seat. It is also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing, like blankets or coats because they can hinder an ideal fit for 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 are concerned that the force of a crash could eject the baby's feet and legs, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a better level of protection than forward-facing.

A video posted by a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is horrendous. The video of the same accident from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is held by the shell.

If your state requires you to face your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This does not line up with best practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses to help secure them in the seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments, based on the model of car seat. Most infant car seats come with a maximum weight and height and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward facing car seat.

While it's understandable for parents to would like to turn their child around whenever they can, the current standard mandates that children under one year of age must be rear-facing in car seat newborn insert seats until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which occurs when a child turns forward in the event of an accident.

If a child's neck is moved forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which could cause paralysis or even death. If a child is looking backwards in a car the neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this kind of injury.

Rear-facing babies are less likely to end up in the back of the vehicle in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests instead of their necks in a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area.

If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they may move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that starts in the rear-facing position and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash adult seatbelts when they've reached the recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages, but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seats that swivel car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last for many years then a convertible may be a better option.

Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through late elementary school, based on the model you select. Some rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than infant car seat that allow for more use.

Check if the convertible infant car seat for travel car seat comes with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body up so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps and push them forward slightly so that they can prevent their heads from hitting the harness straps.

Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle parents use to move between cars, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to create a transport system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store mall, the doctor's office, or visits.

Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Many 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 sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is prepared.

While convertible car seats might appear more expensive initially than car seats for infants but they can be more affordable in the long run because you'll be able to use them for many years. Certain models also come with lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could reduce the risk of the chance of injury in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

When shopping for an infant car seat newborn car seat, safety should be top of mind. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra peace of mind.

Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and reduce the impact force in a crash are available as well.

An effective method to determine the safety of an infant car seat is before buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. However, it's important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it's used. According to our discussions most accidents involving infant car seats result from misuse -- either unsafe installations or improper restraints of the child.

To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, look for one that has a clear instructions manual and lots of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Additionally, make sure to securely secure the straps to the abdomen and chest of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten is a good indication.

Even if you're just going to the store or taking a short trip to the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant unattended in the car. It's not just risky in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface can also lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also hit and injure infants or, even more dangerously, suffocate them.

You will require a booster car seat at some time. To save money over the long term, choose a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.