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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know Most infant car seats can be removed from their base, and slid into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town. Whatever 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. 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 infants and small children as long as they meet the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely positioned inside the shell of the seat. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies 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 allow your child to sit rear facing longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding forward when the vehicle is stopped. You can either read the manual for 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 wearing your child in bulky clothes, such as coats or blankets as they could hinder an ideal fit for the harness and block airflow around the infant's chest and neck. Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the impact force could throw their child's legs or feet, or that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward during a side-impact. It's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing position. A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that follows is horrifying. However, the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe, because a child's head is in the car seat's shell. So, if your state law requires you to move your child's face forward avoid it! This isn't in line with best practices. That 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 comes first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made to hold infants and newborns with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of car seat, parents may be capable of adjusting the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, and also select from several attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to switch to a forward facing car seat. While it's understandable that parents would like to turn their child around as soon as possible, the current standard mandates that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds or one year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the force of the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward during the event of a crash. If a baby's neck gets thrust forward during an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in a car their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this kind of injury. In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chests, as opposed to their necks in the event of a collision. With these risks in mind In light of these risks, it is essential parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their height. Check the car seat instructions 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 a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash adult seatbelts once they've reached their recommended weight and age. Convertible Many new parents are confused when it comes to deciding between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their advantages, but which one is best for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns 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 change from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to the end of elementary school, based on the model you select. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than car seats for infants, allowing them to be used longer. If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat make sure to determine whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These firm pads lift the infant's body so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from colliding with the harness straps. Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. infant car seat newborn www.pushchairsandprams.uk can be clicked into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits. Eventually, though your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible seat once your child's 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 ready. Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however they can turn out to be more affordable over time since they can be used for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This could reduce the risk of injuries during an accident. Safety Ratings When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. 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. High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses are a great way to ensure your child's safety kept in mind. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force of a crash are also available. Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will help you determine its safety before you purchase. However it is important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually how it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by negligence — either inadequate installation or inadequate restraint of a child- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash. To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that has a clear instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY which position to put the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces as you tighten. Also, 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 visit to the park. It's not just risky in a car crash, but leaving an infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface can also lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also hit and injure babies or, worse yet, suffocate them. While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it's all about the cost be aware that you will require an additional booster seat at some point. Consider a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long run. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.