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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 to make it easy to transport. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town. Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips regardless of the car seat type you pick. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to get an appropriate fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seat with a rear-facing position, are designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable inside the shell of the seat. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for the car seat or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). Most manufacturers have their car seats designed with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent 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 discover how to adjust the angle, or view a YouTube video of an influencer of your car seat. Avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats. They could impede a snug fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck. Many parents are reluctant to change their child's position from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry 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 remember that the position of rear-facing provides more protection than the forward-facing position. A video by an influencer of car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is horrifying. 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. So, if your state law requires you to change your child to forward-facing, ignore it! This is not in line with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made to hold infants and newborns, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of car seat, parents may be in a position to adjust the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, as well as choose from several attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat. It's normal parents' desire to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, however, the current law requires that children under 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 from a rear-end collision, which happens when a child turns forward in an accident. If a baby's neck is thrust forward during an accident that is frontal the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which can result in paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury. Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the back of the car during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest instead of their necks, in the event of a collision. Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Check best car seat for your car seat from the manufacturer as well as your vehicle's owner's manual before making a decision. It's recommended to visit a certified car seat technician in your local area for expert assistance and advice. If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats start in a rear-facing position and switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster using lap-sash belts. Convertible Many new parents are torn in deciding between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their benefits but which is the best for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns, but if you want something that lasts for several years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option. Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. 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 which allows for more time of use. If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat, be sure to check whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that help ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These paddings raise the infant's torso so they can reach the lowest slots on the straps, and then moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from flopping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia). Infant car seats also tend 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 lets you effortlessly transfer from your car to a stroller without wake your baby. In the end, however your child will eventually outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure that your child is prepared. Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than baby car seats at first, but they can be cheaper over time because they can be used for a number of years. Some models also have lower anchors, which make it easier to install. This could help reduce the risk of injuries in an accident. Safety Ratings When shopping for an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to provide additional security for parents. Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, will aid in ensuring that your child is secured properly and securely. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force during the event of a crash, are also available. An effective method to determine how safe an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. However it is important to remember that the most important factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is the way it is used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse — either inadequate installation or improper restraint of the child — and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash. If you'd like to be certain that you are using the right car seat for your baby, make sure you choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is level and secure, and bubbles on the bottom that will show you EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten is a good indication. Also, when you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, never leave the car seat unattended, even if you're just going to the shop or taking a short trip to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash and leaving your infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface can cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies, or worse, suffocate them. You will need a booster car seat at some time. To save money in the future, choose an all-in-one or convertible car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.