Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As the new parent the baby car seat will be one of your most important investments. Find out about the various kinds to help you pick the most suitable one for your family.
Many infant car seats snap into a stroller frame for quick transitions between the car and trips 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 doing every effort to safeguard their kids from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. But 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 children and infants under 13 is a car crash. A lot of these deaths can be prevented with the use of a child safety seat.
The car seat is designed to safeguard your child's neck and head in the event of an accident. The seats also shield your child from the sweltering hot engine air and also prevent them from being thrown around the interior of your car.
When choosing a car seat, look for the five-point harness that is attached at the hips, crotch and shoulders to provide your child with the maximum level of protection. Many car seats include side impact protection, an additional layer of protection to help absorb shock and reduce the force of a crash.
Whatever kind of seat you pick, always read the instructions for installation prior to using it. If you're not sure then seek help at an inspection station from a certified child safety technician. car seat newborn will show you how to correctly install your seat and make sure that it meets federal safety standards for motor vehicles.
Consider your budget, as car seats can be expensive. Ask your family and friends who have children to offer advice if you're not able to afford an upgrade to your seat. You may be able to borrow a car seat for a short period of time.
It is advisable to purchase a new car seat if you are planning to purchase one. Used car seats may have been in accidents and have more problems that could put your child's life at risk.
When your child is in the car seat, never leave them unattended. Place the seat on something flat, like a couch or chair. Don't place it on counters. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They can explode 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 is important to think about how comfortable your child will feel on long car rides. This is influenced by the padding and materials inside the seat and also by the weather and temperature where you live. For example, a merino wool-filled seat might feel warm to a newborn in the winter but hot for an older child during summer. It's crucial to test a few seats prior to making a decision. Reading reviews will provide you with an idea of how comfortable they are.
Infants and babies are particularly sensitive to discomfort in a car seat. They aren't able to keep their heads up during car rides because their neck muscles aren’t strong enough. They tend to drool or slump forward. Because of this, it is essential to ensure that the harness straps fit comfortably over their shoulders, and there is no slack or pinching in any area of the body, and that the chest clip sits at the armpit or lower. The bulky outer layers of winter coats may also interfere with the proper fit of the harness, so be sure to dress your baby in thin, light clothing if necessary.
When your child has outgrown their newborn seat and is now able to move to a group 1 or 2 seat for safety and ease of use. These seats utilize the seat belt of a vehicle or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to secure them in the back seat, as well as an tether strap that keeps the seat extra stable. These seats can also come with additional features, such as head and body support that can be adjusted or built-in inserts for infants, depending on the age of the infant.
If you're selecting an infant car seat or a larger group 1-3 seat, look for features that are easy to use, like simple buckles and harness adjustments, a simple grip handles, and a release button that's easily accessible. The simpler it is to use a seat the more likely parents are to utilize it properly. This can help keep your children safe.
Easy Installation
Car seats are an integral element of your child's safety in the car, but they only provide protection if they're used properly. In reality, more than half of all children killed in accidents aren't properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the directions of the manufacturer and the vehicle's manual to ensure that your baby's car seat is as safe for it as possible. If you're not sure about installing your car seat yourself, ask for help from a Child Security Technician for Passenger. They can provide hands-on assistance and can help you learn how to correctly install and use your infant car seat, as well as other kinds of child safety seat.
You can save yourself a lot of stress by learning about your car seat before your baby is born. Familiarizing yourself with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it much easier to put in and remove your baby's seat as required. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to set aside time prior to your baby's arrival and conduct a test run.
If you're installing the seat yourself, be sure you do it on a level surface. The majority of infant car seats come with bubble indicators that show if the seat is seated at the correct angle. Additionally, some seats have a lock mechanism to prevent the seat from moving as you drive. You should also ensure that the base of the car is securely attached and that all locking devices are secured.
Check the car seat once it has been put in place to see whether the LATCH attachments or harness straps are twisted. Twists can compromise the integrity of the car seat and possibly cause injuries in the event a crash.
Also, don't strap your child into the car seat wearing a coat. It is easy for the buckle to grab and drag the child from the car seat in the event of a sudden turn or stop. It's the same for snowsuits. They can create too much slack and cause a dangerous situation if you have an accident.
Design
The best-designed car seats have high safety ratings and will ensure your child's safety if an accident happens. Some car seats have features that are useful for parents with young children. For instance an indicator light to indicate the safety of the harness and a quick release buckle. Some infant car seats come with an integrated carry handle which makes it easier to transport the baby in and out of the vehicle without disturbing them. Others can be used with an integrated travel system that integrates seamlessly with a compatible stroller for convenient transitions between the car and your destination.
The most comfortable car seats are made of high-quality plastics, such as polypropylene. The material bends under pressure to absorb the impact and keep the child secure. The plastic is shipped in pieces of pebbles to the factory, where it's made into shells for seat and other parts. Many car seat manufacturers contract with specialty 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.
A key feature of any car seat is a secure fitting, comfortable fit. The seat should be snug enough that you are able to not squeeze more than one finger's length under the harness straps after they've been tightened. However, it shouldn't be too tight that your child feels uncomfortable. Always refer to the manual for specifics regarding how to install a car seat for your baby.
Another design consideration is the number of harness slots. A good number of harness slots will ensure that your child is comfortable and secure in the seat. This can increase the safety of your child. A wide range of baby car seats are available, from basic basic designs to highly advanced luxurious options.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your family will be contingent on several factors such as your budget, the type of vehicle you drive and your baby's needs. Many families decide that an all-in-one seat is the best choice since it can accommodate your baby from the time of birth until the booster stage which eliminates the need for multiple car seats.