Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As the new parent, a car seat for your baby will be one of your most significant investments. Learn about the types to help you choose the most appropriate one for your child.
Many infant car seats convert into stroller frames for easy transitions between the car and excursions around town. This feature is essential when you plan to use the car seat to use Uber or another rideshare service.
Safety
Parents do their best to protect their kids from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. However, one of the most important things they can do is keep them safe in the car on road trips. The most common reason for death among infants and children under 13 is a car accident. A lot of these deaths can be avoided with the help of a child safety seat.
The car seat is designed to protect your baby's neck and head in the event of an accident. They also protect your child's body from the hot air coming from the engine and prevent them from being thrown around inside of your vehicle.
When choosing the right car seat, look for the five-point harness that attaches at the hips, crotch, and shoulders to provide your child with maximum protection. Many seats also come with side-impact protection that adds an extra layer of protection that can help absorb shock and reduce the impact of a collision.
No matter what type of seat you choose be sure to follow the instructions for installation before using it. If you are unsure, visit an inspection station for help from a trained child passenger safety technician. They can show you how to install your seat correctly and ensure that it is in compliance with the safety standards of motor vehicles in the United States.
Car seats can be costly. If you can't purchase a new car seat, consult friends and family with kids to give you their suggestions. They might have a car seat you can borrow for short periods of time.
If you do plan on buying a car seat you should purchase a new. Used car seats may have been involved in accidents, and may have other issues that could put your child's life in danger.
Don't leave your child alone in the car seat. Place the seat on a flat surface such as a chair or couch. Do not set it on a counter. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They can become projectiles and cause injury or death to your child in the event of an accident.
Comfort
In addition to selecting the best seat for your baby, it's important to think about how comfortable your child will feel on long car rides. This is influenced by the padding and materials used in the seat and also by the temperature and weather conditions in which you reside. For instance, a merino wool-filled seat might feel warm to infants in winter, but it can be hot for an older infant during summer. While reading reviews can give you a good idea of how comfortable a seat is, you should test several seats before deciding.
Infants and newborns are the most sensitive to discomfort in the car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads straight when traveling, and so they tend to snore and slump forward. It is essential to make sure that the harness straps are properly fitted over their shoulders without looseness, pinching or sagging anywhere on the body. The chest clip should be at armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other heavy outer layers can affect the design of the harness. Dress your child in lightweight, thin clothing, if required.
When your baby is no longer in their infant seat, you can move them to a group 1 or 2 seat. This will ensure your child's safety and comfort. These seats utilize the vehicle's seat belt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to ensure they are secured in the back seat, and the tether strap to make the seat more stable. Depending on the age of your baby they could benefit from some additional features that these seats offer, such as adjustable body and head support or built-in infant inserts.
If you're selecting an infant car seat or a group 1-3 seat, look for features that are simple to use like buckles that are simple and harness adjustments, a simple grip handles, and a carrier release button that's easily accessible. The easier it is to use a seat, the more likely parents are to use it properly. This can help keep your children safe.
Easy Installation
Installing car seats correctly is vital to ensure your child's safety. In fact, over half of the children killed in car crashes are unrestrained or improperly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the directions of the manufacturer and your vehicle's manual to ensure that your child's car seat is as safe for use as is possible. If you're not sure about installing your car seat by yourself, ask for help from a Child Passenger Security Technician. These experts can offer hands-on assistance and can show you how to properly install and use your infant car seat and other kinds of child safety seat.
While there's a lot to learn about the car seat and the proper installation, gaining a grip on the process before baby arrives could save you many headaches. It's much easier to remove or install the car seat if familiar with its functions and features. To become familiar with your car seat you should conduct an initial test before the arrival of your baby.
Install the seat on a flat surface if you are installing it yourself. Most infant car seats have bubble indicators that let you know if the seat is set at the right angle. Some seats also have a lock mechanism to prevent the seat from moving while you're driving. It is also important to ensure that the base of the car is securely attached and that the locking devices are secured.
After best car seats for infants is installed, take a look at it and determine whether there are any twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments can affect the integrity and safety of the car seat.
Also, don't put your child's coat when in the car seat. It is easy for the buckle to grab and take the child out of the seat if there's an abrupt stop or turn. This is also the case for snowsuits that create too much slack in the harness, which can create an unsafe situation in the event of an accident.
Design
The best-designed car seats have top safety ratings that will protect your child if an accident occurs. Certain car seats have features that are helpful for new parents. For instance, an indicator light to indicate the safety of the harness and an easy release buckle. Some infant car seats come with a built-in carry handle that makes it easier to carry the infant in and out of the car without causing any disturbance to them. Some can be used in conjunction with an integrated travel system that integrates seamlessly with a compatible stroller for easy transitions between the car and your destination.
The most well-designed car seats are made from high-quality plastics like polypropylene, that flexes under pressure in order to absorb impact and ensure the child's safety. The plastic is shipped in pebble-sized pieces to the factory, where it's molded into shells for seats and other components. A lot of car seat manufacturers contract with specialist companies for smaller parts like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters which are usually made from metals. For instance, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for a majority of American car seat brands.
A tight, snug fit is a key aspect of a car safety seat. The seat should be secure enough that you can't pinch more than one finger's width beneath the harness straps once they've been tightened, but it shouldn't be too tight that your child is uncomfortable. Always consult the manual for more details regarding how to install a car seat for a baby.
The number of harness slots is an additional design consideration. A good number of harness slots ensures that your child will be safe and comfortable in the seat that will increase the safety of your child. A wide variety of baby car seats are available, from simple basics to high-end luxury options.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your family will be contingent on a variety of factors that include your budget, the type of vehicle you use and your baby's needs. An all-in-one car seat is a great option for many families, as it can be used by your baby from birth to the booster seat stage, eliminating the need to buy multiple car seats.