10 Locations Where You Can Find Infant Car Seat Newborn

Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This makes them very popular with parents who plan to frequently travel out of town.

Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps comfortably be positioned over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you pick. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats with a rear-facing position) are designed to support newborns and children as high as the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortable in the shell of the seat.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.

Most manufacturers create car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling backward when the vehicle is stopped. It is necessary to read the manual for your car seats newborn seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle or look up a video from an influencer for your car seat to discover how to do it. Avoid putting your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could hinder an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant to let their children change from rear-facing to forward-facing as they are concerned that the impact force could cause the baby to lose their feet and legs or that their head and neck might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.

A video posted by a car seat influencer depicts an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is a gruesome injury to the head. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific because the head of the child is within the car seat's shell.

If your state requires you to face your child forward, don't do it. This is not in line with best car seats newborn practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement 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 made for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's natural parents' desire to change their baby's position as soon as they can however, the current law requires that children under one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident.

If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident that is frontal, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards in the car, their neck bones are kept together and protected by the harness, preventing this type of injury.

In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the car in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest rather than their necks, in the event of a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for his or the size. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making an important decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area.

When an infant outgrows their car seat, they can move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing location and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster using a lap-sash seatbelt.

Convertible

Many new parents are confused when it comes to deciding between a car seat for infants and convertible seats. Both have their benefits but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last for several years, a convertible is probably a better option.

As your child grows, convertible infant carrier seat car seats can be repositioned from rear-facing to front-facing. This allows them to fit kids from infancy through late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used longer.

Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable newborn inserts to ensure a secure fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then push them forward slightly in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the harness straps.

Some infant car seats come with a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake your baby.

Eventually, though your child will eventually outgrow their car seat for infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within one inch of the top rated infant car seats edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.

Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially, but they can be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This can reduce the chance of injury in an accident.

Safety Ratings

When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety is foremost in your mind. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, however some exceed the norm to offer extra assurance for parents.

Premium features like anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses can ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in an accident, are also available.

Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can help you determine its safety before you purchase. It is essential to keep in mind that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats stem from negligence -- either inadequate installation or improper restraint of a childbut not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

If you want to be certain that you're using the right car seat for your baby, then look for one that has an easy-to-read guide, lots of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY how to position it. Make sure you firmly tighten the straps to the abdomen and chest of your child when you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indicator.

Even if you're just running to the store or making a quick trip to the park, you should never leave your infant in a car. In addition to being an extremely dangerous idea in the event of the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip or roll can cause injury or death to babies.

While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to cost at this point, keep in mind that you'll need an additional booster seat at some time. To save money over the long term, choose a convertible or all-in one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.