Choosing a Baby Car Seat
A baby car seat is among the most important investments you'll make as a new parent. Find out about the various types to help you select the most appropriate one for your child.
Many baby car seats can be easily transformed into strollers for excursions around town. Take note of this feature if you are planning to use the car seat for Uber or other ridesharing services.
Safety
Parents are able to do their best to shield their children from illness, bullies and sports injuries However, one of the most important aspects of your child's safety is keeping them secure in a car seat during journeys. The number one cause of death among infants and children under 13 is a car crash. Many of these deaths could be avoided by the use of a child safety chair.
Car seats are designed to cradle your baby's head and neck and protect them from injuries in the event of an accident. The seats will also shield your child from the sweltering hot engine air and also prevent them from being thrown about the interior of your car.
When choosing the right car seat, be sure to look for the five-point harness system that attaches at the hips, crotch, and shoulders to provide your child with the maximum level of protection. A majority of seats come with side-impact protection, which is an added layer of protection that can help absorb shock and reduce the impact of a collision.
Regardless of which type of seat you choose, always read the instructions for installation before using it. If you're not sure then seek help at an inspection station with a certified child safety technician. They will show you how to correctly install your seat and verify that it meets federal motor vehicles safety standards.
Car seats can be costly. If you can't pay for a new car seat, consult friends and family with kids for their advice. You may be able borrow a car seat for a short time.
If you do plan on buying car seats you should buy new. The used ones could have been involved in accidents and are more likely to have issues that could put your child's safety at risk.
When your child is in the car seat, do not leave them unattended. Place the seat on something flat such as chairs or couches. Do not place it on a counter. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They can become projectiles and cause injury or even death to your child in an accident.
Comfort
It's important to think about how comfortable your baby will feel in the car. The padding and materials of the seat and also your local weather and temperature can impact how comfortable your child is. For instance, a merino wool-filled seat may feel cozy to infants in winter months, but uncomfortable for a more mature infant during summer. It is important to try several seats before making a decision. Reading reviews will give you an idea of how comfy they are.
Infants and newborns are particularly sensitive to discomfort when in a car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough for holding their heads up straight when traveling, and so they tend to drool and slump forward. It's important to ensure that the harness straps are properly fitted over their shoulders with no looseness, pinching or sagging anywhere on the body. The chest clip should also be placed at the an armpit or at a lower level. The bulky outer layers of winter coats can hinder the proper fit of the harness, so be sure to dress your child in light and light clothing when necessary.
When your baby is outgrowing their infant seat, you can move them to a group 1 seat or a two seat. This will ensure safety and comfort. These seats use the seat belt in your vehicle or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system (LATCH) to secure them in the back seat. They also come with a tether to keep the seat stable. Depending on the age of your baby they may be able to take advantage of extra features in these seats like adjustable body and head support, or inserts for infants that are built-in.
If you're looking for an infant car seat or a larger group 1-3 seat, search for features that are simple to use such as simple buckles and harness adjustments, a simple grip handles, and a release button that's easily accessible. The easier 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 part of ensuring your child's safety in the car, but they only provide protection if they're fitted correctly. The majority of children killed in car accidents aren't properly restrained or not properly. (FARS: Fatality Analysis and Reporting System). To ensure that your infant's car seat is as secure as possible, you must adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines and the vehicle's manual with care. If you aren't confident in installing your car seat, get help from an accredited Child Passenger Safety Technician. These professionals offer hands-on help and can show you how to correctly install and use your infant car seat, along with other kinds of child safety seats.
While there's a lot to learn about the car seat and the proper installation, having a grasp on the process before baby arrives can help you avoid many headaches. It's much easier to remove or install the car seat if you're familiar with its features and functions. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to schedule time prior to your child's arrival and run a trial run.
Place the seat on a flat surface if you are installing it yourself. The majority of infant car seats come with bubble indicators that show if the seat is at the correct angle. Some seats also come with locks that stop the seat from moving when you are driving. You should also make sure that the base is secured to the car and all locking mechanisms are secured.
Check the car seat once it is installed to see if the LATCH attachments or harness straps are twisted. Twists in the LATCH straps or harness straps could compromise the integrity and safety of the car seat.
Don't also put your child in the car seat without coats. It's easy for the buckle to catch and pull the child out of the car seat if there's sudden stop or a sudden turn. top rated infant car seats is also true for snowsuits, which create too much slack in the harness and could lead to a dangerous situation in an accident.
Design
The most well-designed car seats come with top safety ratings. This will assist in protecting your child in case of an accident. They could also have additional features that are helpful for parents who are new for example, an indicator light that signals when the harness is secured and a quick-release buckle. Some infant car seats have a built-in carry handle which makes it easier to move the 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 stroller for easy transitions between the car and the destination.
The best car seats are made from premium plastics, like polypropylene. The material bends under pressure to absorb the impact and ensure the child's safety. The plastic is transported to the factory in pebble-sized pellets, where it is made into seat shells as well as any other components. Many car seat manufacturers also contract with speciality companies to make smaller components like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters, that are typically made from metals. For instance, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for most American car seat brands.
A tight, snug fit is a crucial element of any car safety seat. The seat should fit snugly enough that you can't pinch more than one finger's width beneath the harness straps once they've been tightened. However, it shouldn't be so tight that your child feels uncomfortable. You should always check the manual for more details on how to properly install a car seat for a baby.
Another design consideration is the number of harness slots. A good number of harness slots will ensure that your child is safe and secure in the seat. This can increase security. There are a variety of baby car seat designs, from basic models to high-end luxury options.
The best infant car seat for your family will depend on several factors that include your budget and the type of vehicle you use and your baby's requirements. Many families find that an all-in-one seat is the best option because it can accommodate your baby from the time of birth until the booster stage which eliminates the necessity for multiple car seats.