infant car seats that swivel Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of infant car seat rear facing car seats detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to take frequent trips outside of the city.

No matter which car seat you choose Dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats that have an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They usually include an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable in the seat's shell.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for car seats, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5.

The majority of manufacturers design their car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can either read the instruction manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they fear that the force of a crash could eject the baby's feet and legs, or that their neck and head may be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It's crucial to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing one.

A video by an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed about in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is terrifying. The video of the same accident from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is being held by the shell.

If your state requires you to face your child forward, ignore it. This is not in line with best car seats practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them to the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be capable of adjusting the angle of recline and headrest for their child's comfort, as well as select various attachments for the baby's stroller. Most infant car seats are designed to accommodate the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height and the majority of children will outgrow these seats before they are ready to switch to a forward facing car seat.

It's normal parents' desire to change their baby's position as soon as they can however, the current law stipulates that children younger than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the force of an rear-end collision which happens when a baby turns forward during an accident.

If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal collision the spinal cord can be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards in a car, their neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.

Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the back of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for his or the size. Refer to the car seat instructions from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. You can also seek expert advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your region.

When an travel infant car seat outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position, and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with lap-sash belts.

Convertible

Many new parents are confused when it comes to deciding between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have their advantages, but which one is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns however if you are looking for something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option.

As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be repositioned from rear-facing to front-facing. They can accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Certain rear-facing car seats come with greater weight and size limitations than infant car seat that allow for more use.

If you opt for convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that can to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. The firm padding raises the infant's torso, so they can fit into the smallest strap slots, and it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).

Car seats for infants also tend to have a handle that parents use to move them between vehicles and can be connected to strollers to create a transport system. This feature makes it easy to transfer your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket mall, the doctor's office, or visits.

In the end, however your child will outgrow their infant car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to convertible car seats when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure that your child is ready.

While convertible car seats might seem more expensive upfront than infant car seats but they can be more affordable in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for a long time. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that allow the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which can reduce injuries in an accident.

Safety Ratings

When shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be top of mind. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some exceed the norm to provide additional assurance for parents.

Premium features such as anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses are a great way to ensure that your child's safety is ensured. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the impact force of a crash are also available.

A good way to determine how secure an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It is essential to remember that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats stem from improper use -- or in the case of an inadequate installation or inadequate restraint of the child -- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

If you want to be sure that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, make sure you choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level, and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY where to place it. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the abdomen and chest of your child when you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.

Even if you're just running to the market or taking a short trip to the park, you shouldn't leave your Infant Car Seat Newborn in a car. It's not just dangerous in the event of a car crash and leaving your infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could cause injuries to babies or, worse yet, suffocate them.

While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it boils down to cost at this point be aware that you'll need a booster seat at some time. To save money in the future opt for an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.