Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As a new parent, a car seat for your baby is one of the most important purchases you make. Learn about the types to help you choose the right one for your child.
Many infant car seats can be converted into a stroller frame for quick transitions between the car and trips around town. This feature is important for those who plan to use the car seat to use Uber or any other rideshare service.
Safety
Parents try their best to shield their children from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. However, one of the most important things they can do is ensure their children are secure in their car on road trips. A car accident is the leading cause of death among children and infants under 13 and a lot of these deaths could be prevented by using 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 keep your child's body away from the hot air of the engine and prevent them from being thrown around the interior of your vehicle.
Look for a five-point harness that attaches to the child's shoulders, crotch and hips. This will provide maximum protection. Many seats come with side impact protection, an additional layer of protection to absorb shock and deflect force during an accident.
Before using any seat, read the instructions. If you aren't sure go to an inspection station to seek assistance from a certified child passenger safety technician. They can help you to install your seat correctly and check that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Consider your budget, as car seats can be expensive. If you can't pay for a new car seat, ask your friends and family members with children for their advice. You might be able to borrow a car seat for a short period of time.
It is recommended to buy a new car seat when you plan to purchase one. Used car seats may have been involved in accidents and may have other issues that could put your child's life at risk.
When your child is in the car seat, don't let them go unattended. Place cheap infant car seats on a flat surface, such as a sofa or a chair, and not on a counter or other raised surface that can cause them to fall. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They can explode and cause injuries or even death to your child in the event of an accident.
Comfort
It is important to consider how your baby will feel in the car. This is influenced by the padding and materials in the seat and also by the weather and temperature where you live. For example a seat with merino wool can be cozy for a newborn in the winter, but it can be hot for an older infant during summer. It is important to try a few seats before making a decision. Reviewing reviews will provide you with an idea of how comfortable they are.
Infants and newborns are especially sensitive to discomfort in the car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads straight during car rides, so they tend to snore and slump forward. This is why it's essential to make sure the harness straps fit comfortably over their shoulders, without tension or pinching on any part of the body, and that the chest clip is at the armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other heavy outer layers can also impact the design of the harness. Dress your baby in light, thin clothing when needed.
When your baby is no longer in their newborn seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 seat or a two seat. This will ensure your baby's safety and comfort. These seats use the seat belt in your vehicle or the Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children system (LATCH) to secure them into the back seats. They also have a tether to help keep the seat in place. These seats may have extra features, such as head and body support that can be adjusted or built-in inserts for infants, dependent on the age of the infant.
Find features that are simple to use, like easy-to grip handles, simple buckles, and harness adjustments. Also, a seat release button should be located conveniently. The simpler it is to use a seat, the more likely parents will be to use it properly. This will help ensure that your children are safe.
Easy Installation
Car seats are an essential element of your child's safety in the car, but they can only provide protection if they're used properly. In fact, more than half of the children killed in car crashes are not properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). To ensure that your infant car seat is as secure as possible, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle's manual with care. If you're not comfortable installing your car seat, seek assistance from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. These experts can offer hands-on assistance and can teach you how to properly install and use your infant car seat, and other types of child safety seats.
While there's a lot to learn about your car seat and its proper installation, having a grasp on the process before your baby arrives could save you many headaches. It's much easier to install or remove the car seat if you are familiar with its features and mechanisms. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to set aside time before your little one's arrival and run a trial run.
If you are installing the seat yourself, be sure to do it on a level surface. Most infant car seats have bubble indicators that show if the seat is at the right angle. Some seats also have locks that stop the seat from moving when you drive. Also, you should ensure that the base is securely attached to the car and that the locking mechanisms are secured.
Once the car seat is installed, look at it and determine whether there are any bends in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists in the LATCH straps or harness straps can compromise the safety and integrity of the car seat.
Also, don't put your child in the car seat without coats. It's easy to get stuck in the buckle, and then pulled out of the seat at an abrupt stop or turn. It's the same with snowsuits. They can create too much slack and create danger if you have an accident.
Design
The most well-designed car seats have top safety ratings that will ensure your child's safety if an accident occurs. They might also come with additional features that are helpful for new parents for example, an indicator light that signals the moment when the harness is secure and a buckle that can be released quickly. Some infant car seats come with an integrated carry handle that allows you to transport the baby in and out of the car without causing any disturbance to them. Others can be used with a travel system, integrating seamlessly with a stroller to make it easy to move between the car and the destination.
The most well-designed car seats are made from high-quality plastics like polypropylene, that flexes under pressure in order to absorb impacts and ensure the child's safety. The plastic is transported in small pieces to the factory, where it's made into shells for seat and other components. Many car seat manufacturers work with speciality companies to produce smaller components, like buckle latch plates and belt adjusters. These are usually constructed of metal. For instance, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for a majority of American car seat brands.
A snug, tight fit is an important feature of any car safety seat. The seat should be secure enough to allow you to squeeze more than one finger's length under the harness straps after they've been tightened, but it shouldn't be so tight that your child feels uncomfortable. You should always check the manual for specifics regarding how to install a car seat for a baby.
The number of harness slots is a further design aspect to consider. A large number of harness slots guarantees that your child will be safe and comfortable in the car seat, which will improve the safety of your child. There are a myriad of baby car seat designs, ranging from basic models to high-end luxury options.
The best infant car seat will depend on several factors, including your budget, the car you drive and the needs of your baby. An all-in-one car seat is a fantastic option for many families because it can be used by your baby from birth until the booster seat stage, eliminating the need to buy several car seats.