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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 stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to travel frequently outside of the city. Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips, regardless of which car seat type you pick. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have rear-facing positions) are designed to support newborns and children as high as 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 newborn is comfortably positioned inside the shell of the seat. The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5. The majority of manufacturers create car seats 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 that comes with your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle or view a video made by a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing such as blankets or coats. They can prevent a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their chest and neck. Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they fear that the impact force could throw the child's feet and legs, or that their head and neck may be thrown violently forward in a side impact. It's important to remember that rear-facing offers a greater level of protection than forward-facing. A video posted by an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The head injury that follows is awe-inspiring. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as bad as the head of a child is held in the car seat's shell. If your state requires you to face your child forward, ignore it. This isn't in line with best practices. That is why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat. While it's understandable for parents to want to turn their child around as soon as possible The current law requires that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the whiplash of a rear-end crash, which is what happens when a child turns to the side during an accident. If best car seat newborn uk Push Chairs & Prams is being thrown forward during a collision with a car the spinal cord could be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in a car the neck bones remain together and are secured by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury. Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that runs across their chests rather than their necks. Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Always consult the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the vehicle owner's manual before making an important decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your region. If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to convertible car seats. The seats start in the rear-facing mode and then shift to forward-facing once they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash seatbelts. Convertible Many new parents are torn when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their advantages, but which one is the best for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last many years, a convertible is probably the better choice. As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be repositioned from rear-facing to front-facing. This allows them to fit children from infancy until late elementary school, depending on the model you select. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used for longer. If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat Be sure to verify whether it comes with removable infant inserts that can ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. The firm padding raises the infant's torso, so they can reach the lowest slots on the straps, and then it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from flopping back against the harness straps or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia). Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to move between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby. Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This could occur when they reach their weight limit or height. 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 make sure your child is prepared. Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than baby car seats at first however, they could be cheaper over time because you can use them for a number of years. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional car seats, which can reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Safety Ratings Safety is the first thing to consider when shopping for infant car seats. All infant car seats have to meet the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above 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. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the impact force in a crash are also available. One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is prior to purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. However it's important to keep in mind that the most important aspect in determining the safety of an infant car seat is the way it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by improper use — or in the case of an improper installation or inadequate restraint of the childand not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash. If you'd like to be certain that you're using the correct car seat for your infant, choose a seat with a simple manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that will show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting noise 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 shop or taking a short trip to the park. In addition to being an extremely dangerous idea in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a dangerous practice that could result in falls and injuries. Car seats that tip over or roll can cause injury or death to infants. While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to price at this point be aware that you will require a booster seat at some point. To save money in the long run consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.