Ten Myths About Infant Car Seat Newborn That Aren't Always True

Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know The majority of infant car seats detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to take frequent trips outside of the city. Regardless of which type of car seat you pick Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely placed inside the shell of the seat. 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 or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats let your child remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5. The majority of car seats have the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted to stop the baby's back from sliding forward when the car stops. You can read the manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle or view a YouTube video of an influencer of your car seat. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They can prevent a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their 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 impact force could cause the baby to lose their legs and feet or that their head and neck may be thrown violently forward in a side collision. But, it's important to keep in mind that the position of rear-facing provides more protection than the forward-facing one. A video from an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed around in an accident simulation. The head injury that occurs is horrifying. The video of the same accident from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is cradled by the shell. If your state requires you to face your child forward, ignore it. This is not in line with best practices. That is the reason 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 is first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses are used to secure them to the seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle, headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats are designed to accommodate a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward facing car seat. It's natural for parents to want to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children less than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. pushchairsandprams for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident. If a child is caught in a frontal crash, the spinal chord can be stretched and torn which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards while driving their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this kind of injury. In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest instead of their necks in a collision. Considering these risks It is crucial for parents to adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure their child is using the correct car seat for their size. Take a look at the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. It's recommended to visit a reputable 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. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash adult seatbelts after they've reached their recommended age and weight. Convertible Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages but which is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a durable infant car seat. As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. Depending on the model, they can be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, allowing them to be used for longer. Make sure that the convertible car seat is equipped with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a snug fit for your child. These paddings raise the infant's torso so they can reach the lowest strap slots, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from flopping back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia). Infant car seats also tend to have a handle parents use to move between cars, and some of them can be connected to strollers to create a transport system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the store, mall, or doctor visits. Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight limit or height. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is in the right place. Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however they can turn out to be more affordable over time since you can use them for many years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional car seats, which can minimize injuries from the event of a crash. Safety Ratings When shopping for an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra security. Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force of the event of a crash, are also available. Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will aid in determining its safety before you purchase. It is important to keep in mind that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations the majority of accidents involving infant car seats result from negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints on the child. If you want to make sure that you are using your infant car seat correctly choose a seat with a simple manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level, and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. Additionally, make sure to securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten it is a good indication. Finally, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, never leave the car seat unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick visit to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip over or roll can cause injuries or even death to infants. You will require a booster car seat at some time. To save money in the long run consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.