Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As a new parent the baby car seat is one of the most important purchases you make. Learn about the various types to help you choose the right one for your family.
Many infant car seats can be easily transformed into strollers for trips around town. This feature is important when you plan to use the car seat for Uber or any other rideshare service.
Safety
Parents do every effort to safeguard their children from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. But one of the most important actions they can take is to make sure they are safe in the car on road trips. The leading cause of death among infants and children under 13 is a car accident. A lot of these deaths can be avoided by the use of a child safety seat.
Car seats are designed to cradle your baby's neck and head, protecting them from injuries in the event of a crash. They also keep your child's body away from the heat of the engine and prevent them from being thrown around the interior of your vehicle.
When choosing a car seat, look for the five-point harness system that connects at the shoulders, crotch and hips to give your child the maximum level of protection. Many car seats also have side-impact protection, which is an added layer of protection that helps absorb shock and disperse the impact force of a crash.
Regardless of which kind of seat you pick Be sure to read the directions for installation before using it. If you are unsure, visit an inspection station for help from a certified child passenger safety technician. They can help you correctly install your seat and ensure that it is in compliance with federal safety standards for motor vehicles.
Take into consideration your budget, since car seats can be expensive. Ask friends and family with children for suggestions if you aren't able to afford a new seat. They might have a car seat that you can borrow for short periods of time.
It is best to purchase a new car seat if you are planning to purchase one. Used ones may have been involved in crashes and are more likely to suffer problems that can put your child's safety at risk.
Don't leave your child alone in the car seat. Place the seat on a flat surface such as a couch or chair. Do not place good infant car seats on the counter. Don't hang toys on the handle of the seat as they can become projectiles during a crash and cause injury or cause death to your child.
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 the temperature and weather conditions where you reside. For example, a merino wool-filled seat can be cozy for a newborn in the winter, but it can be hot for an older infant in the summer. While reading reviews can give you an idea of how comfortable a seat is, you should try out several before deciding.
Infants and newborns are particularly vulnerable to discomfort when they are in a car seat. They can't hold their heads up during car rides because their neck muscles aren’t strong enough. So they tend to drool or slump forward. Because of this, it's crucial to ensure the harness straps fit snugly over their shoulders, with no gaps or pinching in any area of the body. It's also important to ensure that the chest clip sits at armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other heavy outer layers can also affect the design of the harness. Dress your baby in thin, lightweight clothing when needed.
When your baby is outgrowing their newborn seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 seat or a 2 seat. This will ensure your baby's safety and comfort. These seats use the seat belt of a vehicle or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to ensure they are secured in the back seat, and a tether strap to keep the seat in a more stable position. These seats could also have additional features, like head and body support that can be adjusted or inserts built-in for infants, dependent on the age of the infant.
Look for features that are simple to use, like easy-to-grip handles, easy buckles and harness adjustment. Also, a carrier release button should be located easily. The easier a seat is to use and use, the more likely parents will be able to use it correctly and ensure your child's safety.
Easy Installation
Car seats are an essential part of your child's safety in the car, but they only provide protection if they're used properly. In fact, more than half of children killed in accidents aren't properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). To ensure that your infant's car seat is as safe as you can, follow the manufacturer's instructions and the car's manual thoroughly. If you're not confident installing your car seat by yourself seek out assistance from a Child Passenger Security Technician. These experts can offer hands-on assistance and can teach you how to properly install and use your infant car seat, as well as other types of child safety seats.
While there's a lot to learn about your car seat and its proper installation, gaining a grip on the process before your baby arrives could save you a lot of stress. Familiarizing yourself with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it much easier to install and remove your baby's seat as needed. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to set aside time prior to your baby's arrival and run a trial run.
If you are installing the seat yourself, make sure that you install it on a level surface. The majority of infant car seats have bubble indicators that indicate whether the seat is at the right angle. Additionally, some seats have a lock mechanism to prevent the seat from moving as you're driving. You should also make sure that the base is secure to the car and that the locking mechanisms are secure.
Check the car seat once it has been installed to determine if the LATCH attachments or harness straps are bent. Twists can compromise the integrity of the car seat and possibly cause injury in the event of a crash.
Also, do not strap your child into the car seat without a coat. It is easy for the buckle to catch and take the child from the car seat if there's an abrupt stop or turn. This is also the case for snowsuits, which cause excessive slack in the harness, which can create a risky situation in an accident.
Design
The most well-designed car seats have top safety ratings to ensure your child's safety if an accident happens. They could also have additional features that are helpful for new parents for example, an indicator light that indicates the moment when the harness is secure and a buckle that can be released quickly. Some infant car seats come with a carry handle built in, which makes it easier to transport your baby into and out of the car without causing any disturbance to them. Others can be used 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 premium plastics such as polypropylene, which expands under pressure to absorb impact and keep the child safe. The plastic is shipped to the factory in small pellets, and then made into seat shells as well as other components. Many car seat manufacturers also contract with speciality companies to make smaller components like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters which are usually made from metals. Indiana Mills, for example manufactures buckles and adjustment mechanisms that are used by most American car seat brands.
The most important aspect of a car seat is a tight fitting, comfortable fit. The seat should be snug enough that you can't pinch more than a finger under the straps after they're tightened. However, it shouldn't feel so tight that your baby feels uncomfortable. Always consult the manual for specifics on how to properly install a car seat for a baby.
The number of harness slots is a further design consideration. A good number of harness slots will ensure that your child is safe and secure in the car seat. This can increase security. A wide variety of baby car seat models are available, ranging from basic basics to high-end luxurious options.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your family will be contingent on a variety of factors such as your budget, the type of vehicle you drive and your baby's needs. Many families believe that an all-in-1 seat is the best option, as it accommodates your baby from the time of birth to the time of booster and eliminates the necessity for multiple car seats.