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Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of baby car seats can be detached from their base, and slid into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to make frequent trips out of the city.

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

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats with a rearward-facing position, are designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely in the seat shell.

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

Most manufacturers design their car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling forward when the vehicle is stopped. It is necessary to read your car seat's manual to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat to learn how. Do not place your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.

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

A video from a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulation. The head injury that follows is horrifying. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat not as severe because the head of the child is in the car seat's shell.

If your state law requires you to turn your child's back do not follow it! This is not in line with best practices, which 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 designed to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses to help to secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of car seat, parents may be capable of adjusting the headrest and recline angle to ensure their child's comfort and also select from various attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats have the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to switch to a forward facing car seat.

While it's understandable for parents to would like to turn their child around as soon as they can, the current standard mandates that kids under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds and one year old. The reason 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 forward in an accident.

If a child's neck is forced forward in a frontal accident the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can lead to paralysis or death. If a child is seated backwards in the car, their neck bones are kept together and protected by 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. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests, instead of their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for her size. Check the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area to get expert advice and assistance.

When an infant grows out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to convertible car seats. The seats start in the rear-facing direction and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash seatbelts.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn when it comes to deciding between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have advantages however which one is the best for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns, but if you want something that will last for several years then a convertible may be the better choice.

Convertible infant car seats convert 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. Certain rear-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than infant car seat, allowing for longer use.

Find out if the convertible infant car seat has removable infant inserts that will ensure a snug fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the Nania BEONE Baby Car Seat Access Grey's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the straps of their harness.

Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits.

Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible car seat when their head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to refer to your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is prepared.

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 run because you'll be capable of using them for many years. Certain models also have lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This can reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the most important factor to think about when buying Infant Car Seat Newborn car seats. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some go above and beyond to offer extra peace of mind for parents.

High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is maintained. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and reduce the impact force in a crash are also available.

Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat can help you determine the safety of the product before you purchase. It is important to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either incorrect installation or improper restraint of the childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.

To ensure you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the abdomen and chest of your baby when you install it. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.

Finally, when you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, never leave the car seat unattended, even if you are just running into the shop or taking a short excursion to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface can also lead to injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can also cause injuries to babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

You will need an additional car seat at some point. To save money in the long run consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.