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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know The majority of baby car seats can be dismantled from their base, and slid into a stroller compatible with them for easy transport. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town. No matter which car seat you select, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with a rearward-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a baby is securely placed inside the seat shell. The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child remain rear-facing for longer, up to 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 sliding backwards when the car is stopped. It is necessary to read your car seat's manual to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how to do it. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an appropriate fit of the harness and block airflow around their neck and chest. Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they fear that the force of a crash could eject the baby's legs and feet, or that their neck and head may be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It is important to remember that rear-facing provides a greater level of protection than forward-facing. A video posted by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is a gruesome injury to the head. However, the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as bad, because a child's head is cradled in the car seat's shell. So, if your state law requires you to change your child's back, ignore it! This isn't in line with the 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 limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are designed to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses that keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle of the 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 the majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat. While it's understandable that parents would like to change their child's behavior as soon as possible The current law requires that children under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash of an rear-end collision, which is what happens when a child turns to the side during the event of a crash. If a child is caught in a frontal collision the spinal cord can be stretched and strained, resulting in paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are protected by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury. Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the rear of the car in an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests, instead of their necks. Parents must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for his or their size. Refer to the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual before making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a technician for car seats who is certified in your area. When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing location and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster using a lap-sash seatbelt. Convertible Many new parents are confused in deciding between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have advantages however which one is best for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants however if you are looking for something that lasts for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable. infant car seat uk Pushchairs & Prams can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than car seats for infants, allowing them to last longer. Check if the convertible car seat is equipped with removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm pads lift the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from hitting the harness straps. Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be inserted into strollers to create a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer from your car to a stroller without waking up your baby. At some point your child will outgrow their car seat for infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to convertible car seats when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is ready. While convertible car seats can appear more expensive initially than infant car seats however, they could be less expensive in the long run since you'll be capable of using them for a long time. Some models also have lower anchors, which make it easier to install. This can reduce the risk of injuries in a crash. Safety Ratings Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing car seats for infants. All infant car seats must be compliant with the safety standards of the federal government, but some go above and beyond to provide additional assurance for parents. Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat to reduce the impact force of a crash are available as well. Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat can aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. It is essential to keep in mind that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our discussions, the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are the result of negligence, whether it's due to incorrect installations or improper restraints of the child. If you'd like to be certain that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, choose a seat with a simple manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level, and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY the best way to place it. Also, ensure that you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is an excellent indicator. When you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. In addition to being an unwise decision in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a dangerous practice that can result in falls and injuries. Car seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could also cause injuries to babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate. You will require an additional car seat at some point. Select a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long term. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.