Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As the new parent, a baby car seat is among the most important purchases you make. Find out about the various types of car seats to help you select the right one for your family.
Many baby car seats can be transformed into strollers for excursions around town. Think about this feature if plan to use the seat for Uber or other ridesharing services.
Safety
Parents do their best to safeguard their children from illness, bullies and sports injuries however, one of the most important aspects of ensuring the safety of your child is keeping them secure in a car seat on road trips. The leading reason for death among children and infants under 13 is a crash in a vehicle. Many of these deaths could be prevented with the use of a child safety seat.
Car seats are designed to protect your baby's head and neck, protecting them from injury in the event of a crash. They also keep your child's body away from the hot air of the engine, and also prevent them from being thrown around inside of your vehicle.
Look for a five-point harness that can be attached to the child's shoulders, crotch and hips. This will provide maximum protection. Many seats also come with side-impact protection, which is an added layer of protection that can help absorb shock and reduce the impact force of a crash.
Regardless of which kind of seat you pick be sure to follow the instructions for installation before using it. If you're unsure then seek help at an inspection station with an accredited child safety technician. They can show how to correctly install your seat and make sure that it is in compliance with federal motor vehicles safety standards.
Car seats can be costly. If you're unable to afford a new car seat, talk to your family and friends with children for their advice. They may have a car seat you can borrow for short periods of time.
If you're planning to purchase a car seat it is recommended to purchase a brand new. Used ones may have been involved in accidents and are more likely to suffer problems that can put your child's safety at risk.
When your child is in the car seat, don't let them go unattended. Place the seat on a flat surface such as a sofa or chair, and not on a counter or another raised surface that can cause them to fall. Don't hang toys on the handle of the seat - they could explode during a crash and cause injury or kill your child.
Comfort
It's important to think about how comfortable your baby will be in the car. This is influenced by the padding and materials in the seat and also the weather and temperature where you reside. For instance, a merino wool-filled seat might feel warm to infants in winter, but it can be hot for an older child during summer. It's important to test out a few seats before making a decision. Reviewing reviews can 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 to keep their heads straight when traveling, and so they tend to sneeze and slump forward. It's crucial to ensure that the harness straps are securely fit over their shoulders, without slack or pinching on the body. The chest clip should also be located at the armpit level or lower. Oversized outer layers such as winter coats can also interfere with the proper fit of the harness, so make sure to dress your baby in light lightweight clothing when needed.
When your baby is no longer in their newborn seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 or a 2 seat. This will ensure your child's safety and comfort. These seats utilize the vehicle's seatbelt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system (LATCH) to secure them in the back seat. They also come with an anchor to keep the seat stable. These seats could also have additional features, like head and body support which can be adjusted or built-in inserts for infants, depending on the age of the infant.
Whether you're choosing an infant car seat or a group 1-3 seat, look for features that are simple to use such as simple buckles and harness adjustments, easy-to-grip handles, and a release button that's conveniently located. The more simple a seat is to use and the more likely that parents will use it properly and help keep your child safe.
Easy Installation
Installing car seats correctly is crucial to ensure your child's safety. In fact, over half of all children killed in crashes are unrestrained or improperly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). To ensure that your child's car seat is as secure as it can be, you must adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines 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. They can provide practical assistance and help you learn how to install and operate an infant car seat as well as other types of car seats.
While there's a lot to learn about your car seat and proper installation, having a grasp on the process before baby arrives could save you lots of stress. Becoming familiar with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it simpler to set up and take away the baby's seat when required. To get familiar with your car seat you should conduct the test before the arrival of your baby.
Install the seat on an even surface if you are installing it yourself. Most baby car seats have bubble indicators to indicate if the seat is properly installed. Some seats also have an locking mechanism that stops the seat from moving while you drive. You should also make sure that the base is secure to the vehicle and that the locking mechanisms are secure.
After the car seat has been installed, look at it and see if there are any twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments can compromise the safety and reliability of the car seat.
Also, do not put your child in the car seat without a coat. It's easy to be caught in the buckle and dragged out of the seat during an abrupt stop or turn. It's the same for snowsuits. They can create too much slack and cause danger if you have an accident.
Design
The best car seat s offer top safety ratings, which assist in protecting your child from an accident. Some car seats have features that are useful for new parents. For instance an indicator light that indicates when the harness is secure and a quick release buckle. Some infant car seats have an integrated carry handle that makes it easy to transport your baby into and out of the car without causing any disturbance to them. Certain infant car seats can be used as part of an integrated travel system that works seamlessly with a compatible baby stroller to help you move between the vehicle and your destination.
The best-designed car seats are made from premium plastics such as polypropylene, which flexes under pressure to absorb impacts and protect the child. The plastic is shipped to the factory in pebble-sized pellets, which are then made into seat shells as well as any other components. Many car seat manufacturers also contract with specialist firms for small parts such as buckle latch plates and harness adjusters that are typically made from metals. Indiana Mills, for example, produces buckles and adjustment mechanisms which are used by a majority of American car seat brands.
An important feature of any car seat is a secure, snug fit. The seat should fit snugly enough that you are able to not squeeze more than one finger's width beneath the harness straps once they've been tightened, but it shouldn't be tight enough that your child is uncomfortable. Always read the instruction manual to find out how to install the correct car seat.
Another factor to consider is the number of harness slots. A proper number of harness slots will ensure that your child is comfortable and safe in the seat. This will improve safety. There are a variety of baby car seat designs, ranging from basic models to luxury options.
The right infant car seat will depend on various factors, including your budget, the car you drive and the needs of your baby. Many families decide that an all-in-one seat is the best option since it can accommodate your baby from birth to the booster stage which eliminates the need for multiple car seats.