Speak "Yes" To These 5 Baby Car Seat Tips
Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As a new parent, a baby car seat is one of the most important purchases you make. Learn about the various types to help you choose the right one for your family.
Many infant car seats can be transformed into strollers to take trips around town. This feature is essential when you plan to use the car seat for Uber or any other rideshare service.
Safety
Parents try every effort to safeguard their children from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. But one of the most important actions they can take is to make sure they are safe in a vehicle during journeys. Car accidents are the most common cause of death among children and infants under 13 and a lot of these deaths could be avoided by using the child safety seat.
Car seats are designed to support your baby's neck and head to protect them from injuries in the event of a crash. They also protect your child's body from the hot air of the engine and keep them from being thrown around inside of your car.
Look for a five-point harness that is attached to the child's shoulders, crotch and hips. This will offer the maximum protection. Many seats also come with side-impact protection that adds an extra layer of protection that helps absorb shock and reduce the force of a crash.
Regardless of which type of seat you choose Be sure to read the directions on how to install it prior to using it. If you are unsure, visit an inspection station for assistance from a certified child safety technician. They will show you how to correctly install your seat and ensure that it is in compliance with federal motor vehicles safety standards.
Take into consideration your budget, since car seats can be costly. If you are unable to afford a new car seat, ask friends and family with kids to give you their suggestions. You may be able to borrow an automobile seat for a short period of time.
It is recommended to buy an entirely new car seat if you are planning to purchase one. Used car seats may have been involved in accidents and have more problems that could put your child's life at risk.
Don't leave your child alone in the car seat. Place the seat on something flat such as a couch or chair. Don't place it on a counter. 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
It is important to consider how comfortable your baby will feel in the car. This can be affected by the padding and materials used in the seat, as well as the temperature and weather conditions where you reside. For instance, a merino wool-filled seat may feel cozy to infants in winter months, but uncomfortable for an older child in the summer. While reading reviews can give you a good idea of how comfortable a chair is, it's best to try out several before deciding.
Infants and newborns are especially sensitive to discomfort in the car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to keep their heads up straight in car rides, which is why they tend to snore and slouch forward. It's crucial to make sure that the harness straps are snugly fitted over their shoulders without gaps, pinching or sagging anywhere on the body. The chest clip should be placed at the an armpit or at a lower level. Winter coats and other bulky outer layers can affect the fit of the harness. Dress your baby in lightweight, thin clothing when needed.
After your baby is no longer in their infant seat, they can be moved to an adult group 1 or 2 seat to ensure security and ease of use. These seats utilize the seat belt in your vehicle or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system (LATCH) to secure them into the back seats. They also come with an anchor to keep the seat stable. These seats may have extra features, such as head and body support that can be adjusted, or integrated inserts for infants depending on the age of the infant.
Look for features that are easy to use, like easy-to grip handles, simple buckles and harness adjustment. Also, a carrier release button must be located conveniently. The easier it is to use a seat the more likely parents will be to utilize it properly. This can ensure your child's safety.
Installation Ease
Installing car seats correctly is crucial for your child's safety. In fact, over half of children killed in accidents aren't properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the instructions of the manufacturer and the vehicle's manual to ensure that your child's car seat is as safe for use as is possible. If you're not sure about installing your car seat on your own seek out assistance from a Child Security Technician for Passenger. These experts can provide hands-on assistance and show you how to install and use an infant car seat, as well as other types of car seats.
You can save yourself a lot of anxiety by knowing more about the car seat prior to your baby arrives. It's much easier to remove or install the car seat if you are familiar with its features and functions. To familiarize yourself with your car seat, you should perform an initial test before your baby arrives.
If you are installing the seat yourself, make sure you do it on a level surface. The majority of infant car seats come with bubble indicators to show that the seat is being installed correctly. Some seats also have an locking mechanism that stops the seat from moving when you are driving. It is also important to ensure that the base is secured to the car and the locking mechanisms are secured.
After the car seat is installed, look at it and determine if there are any twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists could compromise the strength of the car seat and could potentially cause injury in the event of an accident.
Also, don't strap your child into the car seat wearing coats. It's easy for the buckle to catch and drag the child from the car seat in the event of sudden stop or a sudden turn. The same is true for snowsuits. They can create too much slack and create an unsafe situation in the event of an accident.
Design
The best car seat s come with high safety ratings, which will aid in protecting your child from an accident. Certain car seats have features that are helpful for new parents. For example an indicator light that indicates the safety of the harness and the quick release buckle. Some infant car seats come with a carry handle built-in that allows you to carry the infant in 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 stroller that is compatible to help you move between the vehicle and your destination.
The best car seats are made of premium plastics, like polypropylene. This material expands under pressure to absorb the impact and protect the child. The plastic is shipped to the factory in small pellets, where it is formed into seat shells and other components. Many car seat manufacturers contract with speciality companies to produce smaller parts, for example buckle latch plates and belt adjusters. These are usually constructed of metal. For example, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for most American car seat brands.
A key feature of any car seat is a secure and snug fit. The seat should be secure enough to allow you to 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 is uncomfortable. Always check the manual to learn how to install a car seat properly.
The number of harness slots is a further design element to consider. A good number of harness slots will ensure that your child is comfortable and secure while riding in the car seat, which will improve security. A wide variety of baby car seats are available, from basic basics to high-end luxurious options.
The best infant car seat for your family will depend on a number of factors, including your budget as well as the type of car you drive and your baby's requirements. Many families decide that an all-in-one seat is the best choice, as it accommodates your baby from the time of birth to the time of booster and eliminates the need for multiple car seats.