Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of infant car seats can be dismantled from their base, and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible for easy transportation. This makes them popular with parents planning to make frequent trips out of the city.

Regardless of which type of car seat you choose make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to find an appropriate fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to support newborns and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant car seat newborn (https://www.medflyfish.com/) insert to make sure 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 reach their weight or height limits for the car seat, whichever comes first. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.

Most 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 read the manual that comes with your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle or view a YouTube video of an influencer for your car seat. It is also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats, because they can prevent a snug harness fit and cut off airflow around the infant's chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant about changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the impact force could throw their child's legs or feet, or that their neck or head could be violently thrown forward in an impact from the side. But, it's important to remember that the rear facing infant car seat-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing position.

A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant car seat best sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in a crash simulator. The resulting head injury is horrific. But the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is cradled within the car seat's shell.

So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward avoid it! This does not line up with the best car seat newborn practices, which is 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 for infants and newborns. Harnesses help secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments, based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.

It's natural for parents to want to change their baby's position as soon as they can, but the current standard stipulates that children younger than one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. 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 happens when a baby turns forward in the event of a crash.

If a baby's neck gets thrust forward during a frontal accident, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, preventing this kind of injury.

In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle during an accident. In the event of a collision they are less likely to be injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests instead of their necks.

Considering these risks It is crucial for parents to follow car seat safety rules and ensure their child is using the right car seat for their height. Refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual before making a choice. It's recommended to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area for expert assistance and advice.

If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can change to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position, and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash seatbelts for adults once they've reached their recommended weight and age.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have their benefits but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants, but if you want something that will last several years, a convertible is probably the better choice.

Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Depending 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 the infant car seat, allowing for longer use.

Find out if the convertible portable infant car seat car seat comes with removable infant inserts that will ensure a secure fit for your child. These pads are firm and lift the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit so that they can prevent their heads from hitting the harness straps.

Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to transfer them between vehicles, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it simple to move from your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store, mall, or doctor visits.

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

Although convertible car seats may seem more expensive upfront than infant car seats however, they could be less expensive in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for several years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that permit the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which can minimize injuries from the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the first thing to think about when buying infant car seats. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, but some surpass the minimum requirements to provide extra peace of mind for parents.

Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and help 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 important factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is how it is used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats stem from misuse -- either incorrect installation or improper restraint of a childand not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

To ensure that you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one with a easy-to-read instruction manual and plenty of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Additionally, make sure to firmly tighten the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.

When you're out and about with your infant car seat in front seat in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the store or a quick visit to the park. It's not only a terrible idea in the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a dangerous practice that can lead to injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can cause injury or death to infants.

While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it comes down to cost at this point but keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some point. To save money in the future consider a convertible or all-in one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.