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Newborn Car Seat: 10 Things I'd Like To Have Learned Sooner
Choosing Between an Infant and a Convertible Newborn Car Seat

A car seat for newborns or infant safety seat or a baby car seat, is a way to protect babies from injury and death from car accidents. They are fitted with a harness that distributes force of restraining over the head and body of the child instead of the spinal cord and neck.

These seats can be either rear-facing or convertible and come in a variety of sizes and weight limits. They may also be part of an entire travel system that snaps into and out of a stroller base.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing newborn car seats offer the most complete protection for infants during crashes. They are designed to cradle and support children, while protecting their neck, head and spine. In addition, they help to disperse the force of a crash to prevent your child's body from being hit and minimizing injuries. This is because your child's body isn't collision-prone with the car seat or front passenger seat, but rather a soft, padded surface inside their car seat.

Parents should ensure that their child is rear-facing until they reach maximum height or weight limit of their car seat, as per the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The majority of children outgrow their infant car seats around age 1, at which point they can move to a convertible car seat that is able to face forward. Many parents will put their child in the rear-facing seat until they turn two.

There are two primary types: infant-only car seat and convertible car seats. Both are equally safe but offer different conveniences. Infant-only seats, for instance are smaller and lighter. They also come with the quick-release base which can be easily removed from the vehicle and then attached to the stroller. Convertible car seats are larger, heavier, and do not come with an integrated stroller base.

It is essential that you always use the back seat, regardless of the seat type. It is also recommended to place tightly rolled washcloths or blankets between the crotch straps and your baby to make sure that there isn't any slack in the harness. Also, ensure that the lower anchors are anchored to the lower attachment points of the lower anchor bars of your vehicle and that the car seat is correctly installed and secured.

While there is much debate about the length of time a baby can be rear-facing, research has shown that babies up to 12 months old are less likely to suffer injuries in car accidents when they're facing the back of the car. Car seats with rear-facing seats allow babies to feel less stress when they hit the car's front as opposed the the back, which can lead to serious injuries.

Forward-facing

Most parents have given a lot of thought to their infant's car seat. It was a key item on the baby registry and was the method you used to get your little one home from the hospital. You might think about changing the car seat to face forward as your child gets older. It's important to keep in mind that your child isn't ready until they reach the weight and height limits that are set by the manufacturer of their car seat.

Rear-facing is recommended until your baby weighs at minimum 20 pounds and is at the age of one year. Children under one year old don't have the neck muscles necessary to withstand whiplash from being involved in an accident. Furthermore, they are at greater risk of spinal injuries in head-on accidents.

You can purchase a convertible car seat or an all-in-one one that allows you to keep the child rear-facing up until the child is at the weight and height limit of the seat. These seats are typically bucket-style infant car seats that are attached to a base for placement in your vehicle. The base can then be removed and connected to strollers as a system for travel. However, they typically have smaller weight and height limits than a standard convertible car seat.

You can also purchase 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 primary benefit of this type of car seat is that it can remain in your vehicle through the child's life which makes it simple to move your child from one place to another.

It doesn't matter which car seat you pick be sure to read the instructions and follow them. It's also a good idea to speak with a certified car seat safety technician to ensure that the child's car seat is set up and used properly. Car seat misuse is very common, and well-meaning parents could injure their children if they don't understand what they're doing. The best way to avoid this is to read the instructions for car seats and following the guidelines of a CPST.

Convertible

Many parents choose convertible infant car seat because they grow with their baby and allow them to travel safely through toddlerhood and into infancy. They are also less expensive than car seats for infants and have an extended lifespan. However, it is important to choose a model that is easy to install and fits your vehicle. Also, make sure that you secure your baby in the correct way each time.


Snug straps prevent the head from shifting into the dangerous chest-to-chin position that could lead to strangulation or even asphyxiation. A lot of infant carseats come with straps that are loose or not buckled which pose a major safety risk. Straps that are not buckled can result in a neck that hangs loose, which has been the cause of many accidents. If the crotch strap isn't tightened enough to pass the pinch test, it may cause danger. best car seat newborn uk determines whether the crotch buckle is tight enough to stop a baby's legs from sliding around in the seat and leading to them getting cut or trapped.

Some convertible newborn car seat include torso heights that are adjustable, which allows you to adjust the height limit based on your child's growth. The minimum torso should be the same as the height of the shoulders of your infant, or an inch lower. Some models come with an infant insert that will help you raise your child to the proper height.

The best convertible newborn car seat should have a snug fit, comfortable padding, and a small base that allows you to install it in your vehicle. It should also come with a tight, snug harness that is able to pass the pinch test and a small, tightly rolled blanket or towel in case of an accident. It should also include an tether strap that is attached to the anchor points on your vehicle, which can reduce crash injuries by reducing the force of impact on your infant. In addition it should be equipped with a travel system, which comprises a car seat that is paired with a stroller, and comes with an attachment that allows you to move the baby from the car to the stroller.

Safety features

When choosing the right car seats for their infants parents must consider a myriad of things to take into consideration. Car seats are an essential purchase for new families, as their correct use reduces the risk that children will be the victim of an fatal motor vehicle crash injury by 71 percent. The decision between a child's car-seat and a convertible one comes down to several aspects, including safety features, compatibility of your vehicle, and convenience.

Infant car seats are made with the delicate physiology and baby's physiology in mind. They typically have a base that stays in the vehicle and the carrier snaps into the position, making it simple to move your baby from the car to stroller, and then back without disturbing them. They also come with harnesses built-in and a crotch strap to ensure your baby's safety.

Some infant cars have side-impact protection that distributes the crash force away from the infant's neck and head. Foam, metal, and plastic absorb energy and shield the baby's face from direct contact with the frame of a vehicle or any other object in a collision. Some come with a special pod that extends beyond the door to protect the child's head.

A chest clip is another safety feature that is becoming more common in car seats for newborns. It keeps the harness straps flat against your baby's chest. This stops the straps from pinching or twisting around the shoulders which can expose your child to the risk of injury. If you decide to purchase a car seat that has this feature, make sure the chest clip is placed at armpit level. It is also important to avoid dressing your baby in bulky outerwear which could hinder the fit of the harness.

No matter what type of car seat you select make sure it's installed in your vehicle according to the instructions of the manufacturer. 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 the tether which is attached to an anchor in the vehicle. If your vehicle isn't equipped with LATCH, you may use a seat belt to secure your car seat.

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