Choosing a Baby Car Seat
A car seat for your baby is among the most important investments you'll make as a newly parent. Find out about the various types to help you choose the right one for your child.
Many baby car seats can be easily transformed into strollers to take trips around town. Think about this feature if intend to use the seat for Uber or other ridesharing services.
Safety
Parents do their best to protect their children from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. However, one of the most important things they can do is ensure their children are safe in a car during road trips. The leading reason for death among children and infants is a car accident. Many of these deaths could be avoided with the help of a child safety seat.
Car seats are designed to support your baby's head and neck and protect them from injuries in the event of a crash. The seats will also shield your child from the hot air in your engine and prevent them being thrown around in 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 give your child the maximum level of protection. Many car seats also have side-impact protection that adds an extra layer of protection that helps absorb shock and deflect the impact force of a crash.
Whatever type of seat you choose be sure to follow the instructions for installation prior to using it. If you're unsure you need help, seek advice at an inspection station from a certified child safety technician. They will show you how to correctly install your seat and verify that it is in compliance with federal safety standards for motor vehicles.
Consider your budget, as car seats can be costly. If you can't afford a new car seat, talk to your family and friends with children for their advice. You may be able borrow a car seat for a short time.
If you're planning on buying car seats you should purchase a new. Used car seats may have been involved in accidents, and may have other issues that could put your child's life in danger.
If your child is in the car seat, don't leave them alone. Place the seat on something flat such as chairs or couches. Don't place it on a counter. And don't hang toys from the seat handle - they can become projectiles during a crash and cause injury or kill your child.
Comfort
It is crucial to consider how your baby will feel in the car. The padding and the materials used in the seat along with your local weather and temperature will affect the level of comfort your child will experience. For example a seat with merino wool can be cozy for a newborn in the winter, but it can be hot for an older infant in the summer. While reading reviews will give you an idea of how comfortable a chair is, it's best to test several seats before deciding.
Newborns and infants are particularly sensitive to discomfort in the car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads up straight when traveling, and so they tend to snore and slouch forward. For this reason, it's essential to make sure the harness straps fit comfortably over their shoulders, and there is no gaps or pinching on any part of the body, and that the chest clip sits at armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other heavy outer layers can also impact the design of the harness. Dress your child in light, thin clothing when needed.
Once your baby has outgrown their newborn seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 or a two seat. This will ensure 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 an tether strap that keeps the seat extra stable. These seats can also come with additional features, like head and body support that can be adjusted, or integrated 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 easy-to-use features like simple buckles and harness adjustments, simple-to-grip handles, and a release button that's easily accessible. The simpler a car seat is to use and use, the more likely parents will use it properly and ensure your child's safety.
Ease of Installation
Car seats are an integral part of your child's safety in the car, but they can only provide protection if they're used correctly. In fact, more than half of the children killed in accidents aren't properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the instructions of the manufacturer and your vehicle's manual to ensure that your child's car seat is as safe for use as is possible. If you're not confident installing your own car seat, get help from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. These professionals can offer you hands-on assistance and show you how to install and use a baby car seat as well as other types of car seats.
You can avoid a lot of stress by knowing more about your car seat before your baby is born. Becoming familiar with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it easier to put in and remove the baby's seat when needed. To familiarize yourself with your car seat, you should conduct the test before the arrival of your baby.
Set the seat up on an even surface if are installing it yourself. Most infant car seats have bubble indicators that show if the seat is seated at the right angle. Furthermore, infant carrier seat come with an locking mechanism that prevents the seat from moving as you drive. It is also important to ensure that the base of the vehicle is securely secured and that the locking devices are secure.
Check the car seat after it has been put in place to see whether the LATCH attachments or harness straps are bent. Twists in the LATCH straps or harness straps could compromise the integrity and safety of the car seat.
Also, don't wear your child's coat when being strapped into the car seat. It is easy for the buckle to grab and take the child from the car seat when there is an abrupt stop or turn. The same is true for snowsuits. They can create excessive slack, which can create a dangerous situation in the event of an accident.
Design
The best-designed car seats have high safety ratings and will ensure your child's safety if an accident occurs. Certain car seats have features that are beneficial for new parents. For example, an indicator light to indicate that the harness is secure and an easy release buckle. Some infant car seats have a carry handle built in making it much easier to carry your child into and out of the car without causing any disturbance to them. Others can be used with a travel system, integrating seamlessly with a stroller for convenient transitions between the car and the destination.
The best-designed car seats are made from premium plastics such as polypropylene, which expands under pressure to absorb impacts and ensure the child's safety. The plastic is transported to the factory in pebble-sized pellets, which are then formed into seat shells and any other components. Many car seat manufacturers also contract with speciality companies for smaller parts like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters that are typically made from metals. For instance, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for a majority of American car seat brands.
A snug, tight fit is a key feature of any car safety seat. The seat should be snug enough to ensure that you don't pinch more than a finger between the straps when they're tightened. However it shouldn't be so tight that your baby is uncomfortable. Always consult the manual for specifics regarding how to install a car seat for a baby.
Another aspect to consider is the number of slots for harnesses. A large number of harness slots will ensure that your child is comfortable and secure while riding in the car seat, which will improve the safety of your child. A variety of baby car seats are available, from simple basic designs to highly advanced luxury options.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your family will depend on several factors such as your budget and the type of vehicle you drive and your baby's needs. Many families decide that an all-in-one seat is the most suitable since it can accommodate your baby from the time of birth to the time of booster and eliminates the need for multiple car seats.