5 Baby Car Seat Lessons From The Professionals

Choosing a Baby Car Seat

As you become 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 select the right one for your child.

Many infant car seats can be converted into a stroller frame for easy transitions between the car and outings around town. Think about this feature if intend to use the seat for Uber or other rideshare services.

Safety

Parents do their best to protect their children from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. However, one of the most important things they can do is keep them safe in a vehicle during road trips. A car accident is the most common cause of death among infants and kids under 13 and many of these deaths could be avoided by using a child safety seat.

The car seat is designed to safeguard your child's neck and head in the event of an accident. They will also shield your child from the hot air in your engine and also prevent them from being thrown around in the interior of your car.

When choosing a car seat, be sure to look for the five-point harness system that is attached at the hips, crotch, and shoulders to provide your child with maximum protection. A majority of seats have side impact protection, an additional layer of protection to help absorb shock and deflect force during an accident.

Whatever type of seat you choose Be sure to read the directions for installation prior to using it. If you're unsure then seek help at an inspection station by a certified child safety technician. They will show you how to install your seat correctly and ensure that it is in compliance with the federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Consider your budget, as car seats can be expensive. If you are unable to purchase a new car seat, ask your friends and family members with children to give you their suggestions. You may be able to borrow the car seat for a short time.

It is best car seats for newborns to purchase a new car seat when you plan to purchase one. Used ones may have been involved in accidents and are more likely to suffer problems that can put your child's safety at risk.

If your child is in the car seat, don't leave them alone. Place the seat on something flat, like a chair or couch. Do not set it on a counter. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They could become projectiles and cause injury or death to your child if they are involved in an accident.

Comfort

When choosing the right seat for your baby, it's also important to consider how comfortable your child will feel on car rides. The seat's padding and materials, as well as your local weather and temperature will affect the level of comfort your child will experience. A seat that is stuffed with merino may feel cozy for a newborn in the winter, but hot in the summer for an older baby. It is important to try a few seats before making a decision. Reading reviews will provide you with an idea of how comfortable they are.

Infants and babies are particularly vulnerable to discomfort when they are in car seats. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads straight during car rides, so they tend to snore and slump forward. It's important to make sure that the harness straps are securely fit over their shoulders, with no slack or pinching on the body. The chest clip should also be placed at the armpit or lower level. Winter coats and other bulky outer layers can affect the fit of the harness. Dress your child in lightweight, thin clothing if needed.

Once your baby has outgrown their infant seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 or a two seat. This will ensure safety and comfort. These seats utilize 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, as well as the tether strap to make the seat in a more stable position. Depending on the age of your infant they may be able to take advantage of extra features of these seats, such as adjustable body and head support, or inserts for infants that are built-in.

You should look for features that are easy to use, like easy-to-grip handles, easy buckles, and harness adjustments. Also, a car release button should be placed conveniently. The easier a seat is to use and use, the more likely parents will use it correctly and help keep your child safe.

Installation is simple

Installing car seats correctly is crucial for your child's safety. In fact, over half of children killed in car crashes are not properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the directions of the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual to ensure that your infant's car seat is as secure for it as possible. 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 teach you how to correctly install and use your infant car seat, and other kinds of child safety seat.

While there's a lot to learn about your car seat and proper installation, having a grasp on the process before your baby arrives can help you avoid a lot of stress. Familiarizing yourself with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it easier to install and remove your baby's seat as required. To become familiar with your car seat, you should perform a test run prior to the time your baby is born.

If you're installing the seat yourself, be sure you do it on a level surface. Most infant car seats have bubble indicators that let you know if the seat is set at the correct angle. Some seats also come with an locking mechanism that stops the seat from moving when you drive. It is also important to ensure that the base is secured to the car and that all locking mechanisms are secured.

Once the car seat is installed, look at it to see whether there are any bends in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists can compromise the integrity of the car seat and could possibly cause injuries in the event an accident.

Also, don't wear your child's coat while in the car seat. It's easy to get stuck in the buckle, and then pulled out of the seat at an abrupt stop or turn. This is also true for snowsuits, which create too much slack in the harness and could lead to an unsafe situation in the event of an accident.

Design

The best car seats are designed with top safety ratings to safeguard your child in the event of an accident happens. Some car seats have features that are useful for new parents. For instance, an indicator light that indicates that the harness is secure and an easy release buckle. Some infant car seats come with a built-in carry handle that allows you to move the baby into and out of the vehicle without disturbing them. Other car seats can be used with a travel system that can be integrated seamlessly with a stroller for convenient transitions between the car and your destination.

The best car seats for newborns-designed car seats are made of high-quality plastics like polypropylene, which flexes under pressure to absorb impact and keep the child safe. The plastic is transported in small pieces to the factory, where it is made into shells for seat and other parts. A lot of car seat manufacturers contract with speciality companies to make smaller components like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters which are typically made of metals. Indiana Mills, for example manufactures buckles and adjustment mechanisms that are used by most American car seat manufacturers.

A tight, snug fit is a crucial element of any car safety seat. The seat should be snug enough so that you cannot pinch more than a finger between the straps when they're tightened. However it shouldn't be so tight that your child is uncomfortable. Always refer to the manual to learn how to set up a car seat properly.

Another aspect to consider is the number of harness slots. A good number of harness slots guarantees that your child is safe and comfortable in the seat which increases safety. There are a myriad of baby car seat designs, from basic models to high-end luxury options.

The best infant car seat in front seat car seat will depend on various factors, including your budget, the car you drive and your baby's requirements. Many families decide that an all-in-one seat is the best option since it can accommodate your baby from birth until the booster stage which eliminates the necessity for multiple car seats.