10 Baby Car Seat-Friendly Habits To Be Healthy
Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As you become a new parent, a baby car seat will be one of the most important purchases you make. Learn about the different types to help you choose the best one for your family.
Many infant car seats snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to move between the car and outings around town. Consider this feature if you plan to use the seat for Uber or other ridesharing services.
Safety
Parents are able to do their best to shield their children from illnesses or injuries from bullies, sports injuries and other illnesses however, one of the most important aspects of your child's safety is ensuring that they are safe in a car seat for road trips. A car accident is the leading cause of death for infants and kids under 13 and a lot of these deaths could be prevented by using a child safety seat.
The car seat is designed to protect your baby's head and neck in the event of an accident. They also keep your child's body away from the hot air coming from the engine and keep them from being thrown around in the interior of your car.
Choose a harness with five points that attaches to the child's shoulders, crotch and hips. This will give the most protection. A majority of seats come with side-impact protection which adds an additional layer of protection that can help absorb shock and disperse the impact force of a crash.
Before using any seat, read the instructions. If you are unsure go to an inspection station for assistance from a trained child passenger safety technician. They will show you how to correctly install your seat and ensure that it is in compliance with federal safety standards for motor vehicles.
Car seats can be expensive. Ask family members and friends who have children for advice if you cannot afford a new seat. You may be able borrow the car seat for a short period of time.
It is best to purchase a new car seat if you are planning to purchase one. The used ones could have been involved in crashes and are more likely to have problems that can put your child's safety in danger.
Don't leave your child alone in the car seat. Place the seat on something flat, like chairs or couches. Don't place it on a counter. Hanging toys from the handle of the seat is not recommended. They can become projectiles and cause injury or death to your child if they are involved in an accident.
Comfort
It is important to consider how your baby will feel in the car. The padding and materials of the seat along with your local weather and temperature can affect how comfortable your child is. A seat that is stuffed with merino might feel warm for a baby in the winter months, but can be hot in the summer months for older babies. While reading reviews will give you an idea of how comfortable a chair is, it's best to try out several before deciding.
Infants and babies are particularly sensitive to discomfort when in car seats. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads upright when traveling, and so they tend to drool and slump forward. For this reason, it's crucial to ensure the harness straps fit snugly over their shoulders, without tension or pinching on any part of the body. Also, ensure that the chest clip is at the armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other bulky outer layers can also impact the design of the harness. Dress your child in lightweight, thin clothing when needed.
Once your baby has outgrown their newborn seat, you can transfer them to a group 1 or 2 seat. This will ensure safety and comfort. These seats use a vehicle's seat belt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to anchor them to the back seat, as well as an tether strap that keeps the seat more stable. Depending on the age of your child they could benefit from some extra features in these seats like adjustable body and head support or inserts for infants that are built-in.
If you're looking for an infant car seat or a group 1-3 seat, look for easy-to-use features such as simple buckles and harness adjustments, easy-to-grip handles, and a release button that is conveniently located. The easier a seat is to use, the more likely parents will use it properly and help ensure that your child is safe.
Easy Installation
Car seats are an integral element of your child's safety in the car, but they can only offer protection if they're installed correctly. In fact, more than half of all children killed in crashes are not properly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). To ensure that best car seat for newborn uk is as safe as you can, follow the manufacturer's directions and vehicle manual carefully. If you're not confident installing your car seat on your own, ask for help from a Child Passenger Security Technician. These experts can provide hands-on assistance and teach you how to install and operate an infant car seat, as well as other types of car seats.
There's a lot to learn about the car seat and the proper installation, getting a handle on the process prior to when baby arrives can help you avoid a lot of stress. It's much easier to remove or install the car seat if familiar with its features and mechanisms. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to set aside time prior to your baby's arrival and do a trial run.
If you are installing the seat yourself, be sure to do it on a flat surface. Most infant car seats have bubble indicators that indicate whether the seat is seated at the right angle. Additionally, some seats have a lock mechanism to prevent the seat from moving while you're driving. You should also ensure that the base of your vehicle is securely secured and that the locking devices are secured.
After the car seat is installed, take a look at it to see whether there are any bends in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists in the harness straps or LATCH attachments can affect the safety and reliability of the car seat.
Don't also put your child's coat while strapped into the car seat. It is easy for the buckle to catch and drag the child out of the seat in the event of an abrupt stop or turn. This is also the case for snowsuits that create excessive slack in the harness, which can create a dangerous situation in an accident.
Design
The best-designed car seats come with the highest safety ratings, which aid in protecting your child from an accident. They might also come with additional features that are helpful for new parents, such as an indicator light that shows when the harness is secured and a quick-release buckle. Some infant car seats have a carry handle built in, which makes it easier to transport your baby into and out of the car without disturbing them. Some infant car seats can be used as part of an integrated travel system that works seamlessly with a stroller that is compatible to facilitate the transition between the car and your destination.
The most well-designed car seats are made from premium plastics such as polypropylene, which flexes under pressure to absorb impacts and ensure the child's safety. The plastic is delivered to the factory in pebble-sized pellets, which are then made into seat shells as well as other components. Many car seat manufacturers contract with companies that specialize in the production of smaller parts, such as buckle latch plates and belt adjusters. These are usually made of steel. For example, Indiana Mills produces buckle and adjustment mechanisms for a majority of American car seat brands.
An important feature of any car seat is a tight, snug fit. The seat should fit snugly enough so that you cannot squeeze more than a finger between the straps when they've been tightened. However it shouldn't be so tight that your baby is uncomfortable. Always check the manual to learn how to set up the car seat correctly.
Another factor to consider is the number of slots in the harness. A good number of harness slots ensures that your child will be safe and secure in the car seat, which will improve the safety of your child. A wide variety of baby car seat models are available, from simple basics to high-end luxurious options.
The right infant car seat is determined by various factors, including your budget, your vehicle and your baby's requirements. Many families find that an all-in-one seat is the best choice since it can accommodate your baby from birth to the booster stage, thereby eliminating the necessity for multiple car seats.