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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know The majority of infant car seats detach from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to take frequent trips out of the city. Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps comfortably be positioned over their shoulders and hips, regardless of which car seat type you pick. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to accommodate newborns and children as high as the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is securely inside the shell of the seat. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies 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 ride rear-facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5. The majority of car seat manufacturers offer a reclining angle which can be adjusted in order to prevent the baby's back from sliding forward when the vehicle slows down. It is necessary to read the manual for your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or find a video from an influencer for your car seat to learn how. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests. Many parents are reluctant to let their children change from rear-facing to forward-facing as they are concerned that the force of a crash could throw the child's feet and legs or that their neck and head could be thrown forward violently in a side impact. It's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position. A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward facing car seat being tossed around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is horrendous. However, 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 within the shell of the car seat. If your state law requires you to move your child's face forward do not follow it! This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made to protect infants and newborns, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle of the headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to move to a forward facing car seat. It's understandable parents' desire to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, however the current norm requires that children under one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns forward in the event of an accident. If a child is caught in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and torn which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards in a car, their neck bones are kept together and protected by the harness, preventing this type of injury. Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the rear of the car in an accident. In a collision, they are less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests instead of their necks. Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for the size. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making the decision. You can also seek expert advice from a certified car seat technician who is accredited in your area. If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing position and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using lap-sash seatbelts. Convertible Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and convertible seats. Both have their advantages but which is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable. Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until the end of elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to last longer. If best infant car seat opt for a convertible infant car seat, be sure to check 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 body so that they can reach the lowest strap slots, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from slipping back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia). Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle parents use to move between cars, and some of them can click into strollers to create a travel system. This feature makes it simple to transfer your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits. Eventually, though your child will eventually outgrow their car seat for infants, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to convertible car seats when your child's head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Check the instruction manual to ensure that your child is ready. Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for many years. Additionally, some models come with lower anchors that permit you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which can reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Safety Ratings Safety is the first thing to think about when buying infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to conform to federal safety standards. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra peace of mind. Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force of an accident, are also available. One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is prior buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. However it is important to remember that the most important aspect in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it is used. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are the result of negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints of the child. If you want to make sure that you are using your infant car seat correctly choose a seat that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. One good sign of this is the sound that it makes when you tighten. Also, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. Apart from being a terrible idea in the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a risky option that can result in injuries and falls. Car seats that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies, or worse, suffocate them. While the decision between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to price at this point but keep in mind that you'll need an additional booster seat at some point. To save money in the future consider a convertible or all-in one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.