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Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know The majority of infant car seats disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town. Regardless of which type of car seat you select make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have rear-facing positions) are designed to accommodate newborns and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant insert to make sure the head of a newborn is securely positioned within the seat's shell. The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to sit rear facing longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). Most manufacturers create car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling backwards when the car is stopped. It is necessary to read the manual for your car seat to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or look up a video from an influencer of your car seat to discover how to do it. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats. They could hinder a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their neck and chest. Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the impact force could cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a much better level of protection than forward-facing. A video posted by a car seat influencer shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being tossed around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is terrifying. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward isn't as horrific because the child's head is cradled by the shell. If your state requires you to put your child forward, ignore it. This is not in line with the best practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever comes first. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses to help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be able to adjust the angle of recline and headrest for their child's comfort, as well as choose from various attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat. It's natural for parents to want to change their baby's position as soon as they can however, the current law stipulates that children younger than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident. If a baby is being thrown forward in a frontal collision, the spinal chord can be stretched and strained, resulting in paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are secured by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury. In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the car in an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests instead of their necks. Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat for his or the size. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making the decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your area. If an infant is out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster with lap-sash belts. Convertible Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have advantages but which is the best choice for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last many years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option. As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be repositioned from front-facing to rear-facing. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some rear-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than infant car seat that allow for more use. Make sure that the convertible infant car seat comes with removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. The firm padding raises the infant's body so that they can get to the smallest strap slots, and pushes them forward slightly to stop their head from flopping back against the harness straps or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia). Some infant car seats come with a handle to make it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits. In the end, however your child will outgrow their infant car seat in the event of 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 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure that your child is ready. Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however, they could be more affordable over time since they can be used for many years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could minimize injuries from an accident. Safety Ratings When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All infant car seats are required to conform to federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra peace of mind. Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and bars that prevent rebounding, can help ensure that your child is secure correctly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the impact force in a crash are available as well. A good way to determine how safe an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to remember that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most 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. To ensure that you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, choose one with a easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY which position to put the seat. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it makes as you tighten. When you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the shop or taking a short trip to the park. It's not just dangerous in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also cause injuries to infants or, even more dangerously and even cause them to suffocate. best infant seat will require a booster car seat at some point. To save money over the long term consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.