Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to take frequent trips out of town.

No matter which car seat you choose 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 known as convertible car seats that have a rearward-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a certain weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant car seat rear facing insert that ensures the head of a newborn is securely in the seat's shell.

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

Most manufacturers create car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling backwards when the car is stopped. You can either read the manual that comes with your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle or view a YouTube video of a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your infant car seat for travel in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an appropriate fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.

Many parents aren't comfortable changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash could eject their baby's legs or feet, or their neck and head may be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.

A video posted by an influencer of car seats shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in the crash 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 being held by the shell.

If your state law requires you to change your child to forward-facing, ignore it! This is not in line with the best car seats for infants practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

Car seats for infants are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses are used to secure them into the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat, parents may be able to adjust the angle of recline and headrest for their child's comfort, as well as choose from a variety of attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's understandable for parents to want to turn their child around as soon as possible however, the current norm states that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the force of the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward in a crash.

If a baby's neck gets forced forward in an accident that is frontal, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could lead to paralysis or death. If a child is facing backward in the car the neck bones remain together and are protected by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury.

In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the car in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chest instead of their necks in a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. It's recommended to visit a certified car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.

When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. The seats start in a rear-facing position and switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash adult seatbelts once they've reached their recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages, but which one is best for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns, but if you want something that lasts for many years then a convertible may be the better choice.

As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be changed from front-facing to rear-facing. Based on the model, they can be used for children as young as late elementary school. Certain rear-facing car seats come with greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seats that allow for more use.

Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable infant inserts that will ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body up so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from slapping against the harness straps.

Some infant car seats come with a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller without waking up your baby.

In the end, however, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible car seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but make sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for a long time. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the primary factor to think about when purchasing an infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to comply with federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra security.

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

One way to find out how secure an infant car seat is prior to buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to keep in mind that the usage of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. According to our discussions most accidents involving infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either improper installation or inadequate restraints of the child.

To ensure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to position the seat. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.

Also, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the store or a quick trip to the park. It's not just dangerous in the event of a car seat for newborn crash, but leaving an infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can also injure or suffocate babies.

While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it comes down to price at this point be aware that you'll need a booster seat at some point. To save money over the long term, choose an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.