10 Things You Learned In Preschool That'll Help You With Newborn Car Seat

Choosing Between an Infant and a Convertible Newborn Car Seat A newborn car seat is also referred to a baby car seat or infant safety seat. It is designed to protect infants against injuries and deaths in car accidents. The harness distributes the restraining force over the child's head and body instead of the spinal cord or neck. These seats are available in rear-facing as well as convertible versions, as well as with a range of weight and height limits. These seats can also be part of a set for travel that can be converted into a stroller base. Rear-facing Rear-facing infant car seats offer unbeatable protection in crashes for infants. They are designed to support and cradle children, protecting their spine, neck and head. Additionally, they assist to disperse the impact of a crash to prevent your child's body from being hit and minimizing injuries. This is because the child's body doesn't hit the seat of the vehicle or the front seat. Instead, it is a soft, cushioned surface in their car seat. According to the AAP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that parents keep their child rear facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight or height limit. The majority of children outgrow their infant car seat around age 1 and can move to an convertible car seat that is able to face forward. Many parents will keep their child in the rear seat until their child turns two. There are two main kinds of rear-facing car seats convertible car seats. Both are safe, but each offers different conveniences. For instance, infant-only chairs are smaller, lighter and have a quick release base which can be easily removed from the car and then reattached to the base of a stroller. Convertible car seats are bigger and heavier, and do not come with a built-in base for strollers. It is crucial to use the back seat, regardless of the seat type. It is also recommended to place tightly rolled washcloths or blankets between the crotch strap and your baby to ensure that there is no gap in the harness. Make sure that the lower anchors of your car seat are securely installed, and that they are connected to the lower anchor points on the lower anchor bars. While there is much debate over how long a baby should be rear-facing, research has shown that babies up to 12 months old are less likely to sustain injuries in car accidents when they're facing the back of the car. Car seats with rear-facing seats allow babies to be less impacted when they hit the car's front, in contrast to the rear which could result in serious injuries. Forward-facing Many parents have invested a lot of thought into their newborn car seat. It was a key item on your baby registry as well as the way you brought your child home from the hospital. Now that your child is older, you may be thinking about turning the car seat forward-facing. It's important to keep in mind that your child isn't ready until they've reached the weight and height limits that are set by their car seat manufacturer. Until your baby is at least 20 lbs and one year old, they should stay rear-facing. Pushchairs & Prams is because babies younger than a year don't have strong neck muscles that can withstand the whiplash that results from being forced forward in an accident. They also face greater risk of suffering from spinal injuries in head-on collisions. You can purchase a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that lets you keep the child rear-facing until the child is at the weight and height limits of the seat. They are usually bucket-style infant seats that come with a base to install in your vehicle. They are also removed from the base and reattached to strollers to form travel systems. However, they usually have lower maximum weight and height limits than the standard convertible car seat. You can also purchase an extra booster. These seats come with a harness, and can be transformed into a booster seat which allows your child to wear a seat belt when they are ready. The main advantage of this kind of car seat is that it can remain in your vehicle throughout the child's life which makes it simple to transport your child from one vehicle to another. It doesn't matter what car seat you select follow the directions and follow them. It is also a good idea to consult a certified safety technician for your seat to ensure that the child's car seat is set up and is used correctly. It is not uncommon for parents to make mistakes with car seats, and even the most well-intentioned parents can cause injury to their children. The best way to prevent this is to follow the instructions for your car seat and following the advice of a CPST. Convertible Many parents choose to purchase convertible infant car seats because they can grow with your baby and allow them to travel safely from infanthood to toddlerhood. These seats are less expensive than infant ones and have a an extended life. However, it's important to select a seat that is easy to install and is suitable for your vehicle. Be sure to ensure your child's safety by buckling them properly every time. Snug straps prevent the head from slipping into a dangerous chin-to-chest position that could result in strangulation or asphyxiation. Many infant car seats have straps that are loose or not buckled. This is a serious security issue. Unbuckled straps can lead to a neck that hangs loose which is the cause of numerous accidents. If the crotch strap isn't sufficiently tight enough to pass a pinch test, it can cause danger. This test determines whether the crotch buckle fits enough to prevent a newborn's legs from sliding around in the seat and causing them to be cut or trapped. Some convertible car seats for newborns come with an adjustable torso height, which lets you adjust the height limit according to the growth of your child. The minimum torso height must be the same as the height of your infant's shoulders or one inch lower. Some models come with an infant insert to help bring your child up to the appropriate height for the seat. The best convertible car seat for babies must be padded and comfortable, with cushioning that is comfortable and a small base that allows you to put it in your vehicle. It should also have an incredibly snug, secure harness that passes the pinch test and a small, tightly rolled blanket or towel in the event there is an accident. It should also have a tether that attaches to the anchor points of your vehicle, which can minimize injuries from an accident by reducing the impact force. Additionally it should be equipped with a travel system, which comprises an infant car seat that can be paired with a stroller and a handle you use to move the infant from the car to the stroller. Safety features Parents have a lot to think about when choosing the appropriate car seat for their newborns. However, car seats are a crucial purchase for families who are just starting out because using them reduces the risk of fatal child motor vehicle collision injuries by 71 percent. The decision between a baby car seat and a convertible seat comes down to several key elements such as safety features that are compatible with your car and the ease of use. Car seats for infants are created with the delicate physiology and baby's physiology in mind. The seat's base is typically in the car and the infant carrier snaps into the position. This makes it easy to move your baby from stroller to car and back without causing any disturbance. They come with a crotch and harness built in to ensure your child safe. Some infant cars are equipped with side-impact protection that distributes the crash force away from a newborn's head and neck. They are made of metal, plastic and foam that absorbs energy, and protects the baby's head from direct contact with the vehicle frame or other objects in the event of a collision. Some even have a special pod on the side of the door that extends to shield the baby's head. Another safety feature that's becoming more prevalent in newborn car seats is a chest clip that keeps the harness straps straight across the chest of your baby. This stops the straps from pinching or twisting around the shoulders, which could expose your child to the risk of injury. If you choose a seat that has this feature, ensure that the chest clip is placed at armpit height. Do not dress your baby in bulky clothing as it can interfere with the harness. Verify that the car seat is fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, regardless of what type you select. Look for the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system. This system consists of a connector which clips into the lower anchor points of your car and a tether that hooks onto an anchor on the vehicle. If your car doesn't have LATCH, you can still use a seat belt to secure your car seat.