This Is The Ugly Truth About Newborn Car Seat
Choosing Between an Infant and a Convertible Newborn Car Seat
A car seat for newborns is also referred to as an infant safety seat or a baby car seat, helps protect infants from harm and death in vehicle accidents. The harness distributes the restraint force over the child's head and body instead of the spinal cord or neck.
These seats are available in rear-facing and convertible versions, and with the option of varying weights and height limits. They can also be a part of a set for travel that snaps into the base of a stroller.
rear facing infant car seat-facing
Rear-facing car seats for newborns provide unmatched protection in crashes for infants. They are designed to support and cradle children, protecting their spine, neck and head. In addition, they help to reduce the impact of a crash from hitting your child's body, reducing injuries. This is because the child's body does not collide with the car seat, or front passenger seat. Instead, it is a soft, cushioned surface within their car seat.
According to the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Parents should keep their child rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight or height limit. The majority of children will outgrow their infant carseat around the age of one at which point they are able to transition to an convertible car seat that can face forward. Many parents will put their child in the rear-facing seat until they turn two.
There are two kinds: infant-only car seats and convertible car seats. Both are equally secure, however they offer distinct advantages. For instance, infant-only chairs are smaller, lighter, and have an easy release base which can be easily removed from the car, and then reattached to a stroller base. Convertible car seats are bigger, heavier, and do not have a built-in base for strollers.
No matter what type of seat you pick regardless of the type, you must adhere to the instructions of the manufacturer and to always place the seat in the back of your vehicle. You can also place an enveloping blanket or washcloth between the crotch straps and your child to ensure that the harness is secure. Ensure that the lower anchors of your car seat are securely installed and are connected to the lower anchor points on the lower anchor bars.
Research has shown that babies who face the rear of the car are less likely to get injured in a car crash. Car seats with rear-facing seats allow babies to experience less impact when they hit the front of the car, instead of the rear, which can lead to serious injuries.
Forward-facing
Most parents have put a lot of thought into their baby car seat. It was an important item on your baby's registry and the method you used to bring your baby home from the hospital. You might consider changing the car seat to face forward as your child gets older. It's important to keep it in mind that your child's not ready until they reach the weight and height limits established by the car seat manufacturer.
As long as your baby weighs at least 20 pounds and one year old, they should remain rear-facing. Children under one year old do not have the neck muscles necessary to withstand whiplash when hit in a crash. Additionally they are at a higher risk of suffering spinal injuries in head-on collisions.
You can buy a convertible or all-in-one car seat, which will allow you to keep your child facing the rear until they reach the height and weight limit for the seat. These seats are typically bucket-style infant car seats that are attached to a base that can be installed in your vehicle. The base can then be removed and attached to strollers as a system for travel. However, they tend to have smaller maximum weight and height limits than a standard convertible car seat.
You can also get an extra booster. These are typically fitted with a harness for young kids and convert to a belt-positioning booster seat when your child is ready. The main advantage of this kind of car seat is that it can remain in your vehicle throughout the early years of life making it easy to transport your child from one place to another.
Whatever car seat you pick, always read the manual and follow the installation instructions. It's recommended to consult a certified car safety technician to make sure that the child's car seat is installed and is used correctly. It is typical for parents to abuse car seats, and even well-intentioned parents could cause harm to their children. It is best car seats newborn to read the instructions on the car seat and follow the advice of a CPST.
Convertible
Many parents opt for a convertible infant car seat since they grow with their child and allow them to travel safely through infancy and toddlerhood. These seats are less expensive than infant seats and have longer life span. It is important to choose one that fits your vehicle and is easy to install. Also, make sure that you secure your baby in the correct way each time.
Snug straps prevent the head from shifting to the dangerous chest-to-chin position that can cause strangulation or asphyxiation. A majority of infant car seats have straps that are loose or not buckled. This is a major safety concern. Straps that are not buckled can result in an unbalanced neck, which has been the source of numerous accidents. If the crotch strap has not been tightened enough to pass the pinch test, it can cause danger. This test will determine if the crotch buckle is close enough to stop a baby's legs from slouching down in the seat and causing them to be cut or trapped.
Some convertible infant car seats include an adjustable torso that lets you alter the height limit to suit the growth of your child. The minimum torso height should be equal to the height of your infant's shoulders or one inch lower. Some models come with an infant insert to raise your child to the proper height for the seat.
The ideal convertible car seat for babies must be padded and comfortable, with soft padding and a slim base to allow you to install it easily into your vehicle. It should also come with an incredibly tight, snug harness that passes the pinch test, and a short and tightly-rolled blanket or towel to use in an emergency. It should also include an anchor tether that connects to the anchor points of your vehicle, which can reduce injuries in collisions by reducing the force of impact. It should also come with an good infant car seats travel set that includes a stroller and car seat that you can use to transfer your infant from the vehicle to the stroller.
Safety features
Parents must think about when choosing the best car Seats for newborns uk - stberns.com, car seat for their babies. Car seats are an essential purchase for families who are just starting out because using them reduces the risk of fatal collisions with motor vehicles by 70 percent. The decision between a baby car seat and a convertible one is based on a variety of aspects, including safety features, compatibility of your vehicle, and the ease of use.
Car seats for infants are created with the fragile body of a newborn in mind. The seat's base is typically in the car and the carrier snaps into place. This makes it simple to move your baby from stroller to car, and back without causing any disturbance. They come with a crotch as well as a harness built in to ensure your child safe.
Some infant cars are also equipped with side impact protection, which disperses the force of a crash away from the infant's head and neck. Plastic, metal and foam absorb energy and protect the baby's face from direct contact with a vehicle frame or any other object involved in an accident. Some include a special pod that extends beyond the door to protect the head of the child.
Another safety feature that's becoming more common in infant car seats is a chest clip that holds the harness straps flat across your newborn's chest. The straps aren't strained or twisting around the shoulders which can expose your child to the risk of injury. If you choose a seat that has this feature, make sure that the chest clip is set at the armpit height. Avoid dressing your baby with bulky clothing as it can interfere with the harness.
Make sure that the car seat is set up according to the manufacturer’s instructions regardless of the model you select. Look for the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system. This system consists of an attachment that clips onto the lower anchor points of your car and a tether that hooks onto an anchor in the vehicle. If your vehicle isn't equipped with LATCH, you may use a seat belt to secure your car seat.