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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to take frequent trips outside of the city. Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you pick. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to find a snug fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They typically include an infant insert to ensure that a newborn's head is comfortably in the seat's shell. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your baby to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. It is necessary to read the manual of your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how to do it. It's also important to avoid wearing your child in bulky clothing like blankets and coats, because they can prevent an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around the baby's neck and chest. Many parents are hesitant to let their children change from rear-facing to forward-facing because they fear that the impact force could eject the baby's feet and legs, 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 rear-facing position offers more protection than the forward-facing position. A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is awe-inspiring. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward isn't as horrific because the child's head is being held by the shell. If your state requires that you face your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This does not line up with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are designed to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses to help secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents might be capable of adjusting the angle of recline and headrest to suit their child's needs, as well as select various attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats have a maximum weight and height and the majority of children will outgrow these seats before they are ready to move to a forward facing car seat. It's understandable for parents to want to change their baby's position as soon as they can however, the current law requires that children less than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision, which is caused when a child moves forward in an accident. If a child's neck is forced forward in a frontal accident the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which could lead to paralysis or death. If a child is facing backwards in the car the neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this type of injury. Rear-facing babies are less likely to be in the back of the vehicle in 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. Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Always consult the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making a decision. You can also seek professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area. When an infant outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has a lap-sash adult seatbelt after they've reached their recommended weight and age. Convertible Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages however, which one is best for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a long-lasting infant car seat. Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. Based on the model, they can fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, allowing them to be used for longer. If you opt for a convertible infant car seat, be sure to check whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that can to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward so that they can prevent their heads from slapping against the straps on their harness. Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature makes it easy to move from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the store mall, the doctor's office, or visits. Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Many experts agree that 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 ensure that your child is prepared. While convertible car seats might appear to be more expensive in the beginning than car seats for infants however, they could be less expensive in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for several years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors which allow you to install them using less force than traditional car seats, which can reduce injuries in a crash. Safety Ratings Safety is the most important factor to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, but some exceed the norm to provide extra security for parents. Premium features, like adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and bars that prevent rebounding, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured properly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and reduce the force of a crash, are also available. Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can aid in determining its safety before purchasing. infant carrier seat to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. According to our conversations the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats result from misuse — either improper installation or inadequate restraints on the child. To ensure you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators that it is secure and level, including bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it produces as you tighten. Finally, 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 shop or taking a short excursion to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash and leaving your infant carrier or car seat on a rough surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can also injure or suffocate infants. You will require a booster car seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money in the long run. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.