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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know Most infant car seats can be dismantled from their base, and slid into a stroller compatible with them for easy transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town. Regardless of which type of car seat you select, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. They usually include an infant insert that ensures the baby's head is comfortable in the seat's shell. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). best car seats infant pushchairsandprams.uk of car seats have a reclining angle which can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle stops. You'll need to read your car seat's manual for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or find a video from an influencer for your car seat to discover how to do it. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing like blankets or coats. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their neck and chest. Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the impact force 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's important to keep in mind that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position. A video made by a car seat influencer shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being tossed around violently in a crash simulator. The resultant head injury is horrific. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is cradled in the shell of the car seat. If your state requires that you face your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses are used to secure them into the seat. Depending on the car seat model parents will be able to adjust the recline angle and headrest to ensure their child's comfort and also select from several attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat. While it's understandable that parents would like to get their child back 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 car seats until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash that comes with the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward in the event of a crash. If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident that is frontal, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could lead to paralysis or death. But, if a child is seated backwards in the car, the neck bones stay together and are protected by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury. In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests, instead of their necks. In light of these risks, it's vital parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their height. Always refer to the manufacturer's car seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual when making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice. When an infant outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster using a lap-sash seatbelt. Convertible Many new parents are torn when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and a convertible one. Both have their benefits, but which one is the best choice for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants, but if you want something that will last many years it is likely that a convertible would be the better choice. As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. Depending on the model, they are able to fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Certain rear-facing car seats come with larger weight and size restrictions than infant car seat, allowing for longer use. If you opt for convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it has removable newborn inserts that provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward to stop their heads from slapping against the harness straps. Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle parents use to transfer them between vehicles, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to create a transport system. This feature makes it simple to go from your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store mall, the doctor's office, or visits. Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This could happen when they reach their weight limit or height. The majority of 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 ready. Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however, they could be more affordable over time since they can be used for many years. In addition, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional car seats, which can reduce injuries in an accident. Safety Ratings Safety is the first thing to consider when shopping for car seats for infants. All infant car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some surpass the minimum requirements to offer extra peace of mind for parents. Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, will aid in ensuring that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the impact force of a crash are also available. One way to find out how secure an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. However it is important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it's used. According to our discussions the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are caused by misuse — either unsafe installations or improper restraints of the child. To ensure that you're using an infant car seat properly, search for one that has a clear instructions manual and lots of indicators to show it's safe and level, such as bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Make sure you securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indication. Also, when you're out and about with your baby in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the shop or taking a short trip to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also cause injuries to infants or, even more dangerously, 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 comes down to price at this point be aware that you will need an additional booster seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money over the long term. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.