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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 for parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town. Whatever type of car seat you select, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats with a rear-facing position are designed to fit newborns and small children as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. These car seats typically come with an infant insert that ensures the baby's head is comfortable positioned within the seat's shell. The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your baby to sit rear facing longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). The majority of car seat manufacturers offer a reclining angle which can be adjusted in order to prevent the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to study your car seat's manual for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or find a video from a car seat influencer to learn how to do it. Do not place your baby in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They could hinder an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck. Many parents are hesitant about changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash could eject their baby's legs or feet, or their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in an impact from the side. But, it's crucial to remember that the rear-facing position offers more protection than the forward-facing one. A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in the crash simulator. The head injury that follows is horrifying. The video of the same incident from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is held by the shell. If your state requires you to put your child forward, ignore it. This is not in accordance with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns, with harnesses that help secure them in the 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 have an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat. It's normal for parents to want to turn their baby around as soon as they can, however, the current law requires that children under one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which is caused when a child moves forward in an accident. If a child's neck is forced forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury. Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the car in an accident. In a collision, they're 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 in the right car seat for his or their size. Check the car seat instructions from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. infant car seats that swivel 's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area for expert assistance and advice. If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats start in a rear-facing position and switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash belts. Convertible Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible one. Both have their benefits, but which is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last several years, a convertible is probably the better choice. Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Depending on the model, they are able to be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than the infant car seats which allows for more time of use. If you choose to purchase convertible infant car seats, be sure to check whether it has removable newborn inserts that can provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These firm padding lifts the infant's torso so they can fit into the smallest slots in the straps, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from slipping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia). Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature makes it simple to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby, for trips to the supermarket mall, the doctor's office, or visits. In the end, however your child will eventually outgrow their car seat for infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. The majority of 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 prepared. Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than infant car seats at first, but they can be cheaper over time because you can use them for a long time. Some models also have lower anchors, which allow for easier installation. This could help reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash. Safety Ratings Safety is the most important factor to think about when buying infant car seats. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, however some exceed the norm to provide additional security for parents. Premium features such as anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses are a great way to ensure that your child's safety is maintained. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force during the event of a crash, are also available. A good way to determine how secure an infant car seat is prior buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats result from misuse — either inadequate installation or improper restraint of the child- and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash. To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indication. Finally, 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 the vehicle is a risky practice that can result in injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip or roll can cause injury or death to infants. While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it boils down to price at this point, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money in the long run. These seats will provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.