14 Misconceptions Common To Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat? Parents have two options to choose a car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants have the shortest time for use as they are only used with rear-facing. Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This lets parents transfer their child from the car into a stroller easily without disturbing them. Safety Many parents are worried about the security of an infant's carrier seat, especially when they purchase one for their first time. As with all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to safeguard your child as safe as is possible in the event of a crash. They are usually placed to the rear, making them the best option for infants that are at greatest chance of being injured in an accident. They also have additional padding to provide additional head protection as well as lower anchors to secure the seat to the vehicle's chassis to prevent it from moving in the event of a collision. This is particularly important with infants who have large necks and heads that can be easily injured by the force of a collision or sudden stop. In addition, many infant carrier seats are designed to work with strollers to create a travel system that can be easily moved from your car to the stroller, and back without disturbing your child. The majority of infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is a great option if you frequently take a taxi or ride-sharing service, and it can make traveling on planes with your infant much easier also. Some infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have an base. This allows you to keep your child safe during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who want to help you out with transporting your baby, too! It's also important to remember that an infant carrier seat is not meant to be left unattended in the vehicle, since infants can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and even death. This is why you must read the safety instructions carefully prior to using a car seat for your infant in a different location. Portability Many infant car seats are designed to be part of the travel system, which is a combination of car frame and seat base that snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for infants since they allow parents to move their child from the car to the stroller and back without needing to get them up. This feature is the main reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents purchase an infant seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to quickly take their child out of the car and onto a stroller frame for walking around the park or at the grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to consider when you plan on using an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require children to be in a safe seat. As opposed to convertible car seats which must remain in the vehicle baby car seats are typically lighter and more compact making them an ideal choice for families on-the-go. Some infant car seats also come with a handle, so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly helpful if you have any trips planned that you don't want to wake your baby up for! Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are great if you're looking to keep your child in a secure seat for as long as is possible. You can find a convertible car seat that transforms into a high-back booster seat when your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the limit on weight and height). Be sure to look for this when browsing options! Easy of Use A rear-facing infant carrier seat is car seat that snaps onto the base of your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and newborns safe until they reach the weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers. This can make it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disrupting their nap schedule. Find an infant car seat that has a detachable car seat that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will let you quickly take your baby into and out of the car, especially when their nap is about to expire or if they're thirsty, hungry or bored. It's also important to check the shoulder strap slots and make sure they're properly placed for your child's size. If the straps aren't low enough or high, they can't be properly used and could be a risk in a crash. Some infant car seats come with lower anchors that can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. It's important to check that the lower anchors have an European routing path and are easy to install and release and we're looking for a click that sounds like an alarm when the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment mechanism, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature. Convertible car seat is the next step after an infant carrier. They can be used up until your child is at the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used alongside a stroller, but don't offer the infant-like fit and convenience of an infant car seat. Some convertible seats convert into boosters, but they are typically heavier and less portable, which can make them difficult to maneuver in small cars or when transporting children in busy areas. Installation Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, can be difficult. It is important to do it safely and correctly. This is influenced by the seat position, the angle of base, and also the way you use the handle. Most infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base that remains in the vehicle, a combination commonly referred to as a traveling system. They are designed to be used in the rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most car seats have a built-in angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is at the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base might also come with an adjustment mechanism to alter the angle. Another feature to look for is if the seat has a way to adjust the shoulder strap height without having to disengage and rethread the straps. This can be a real time-saver, as it is likely to need to be done multiple times during an infant's car seat use. Some cars have a hard point in the back of the seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks are designed for the particular seat and will snap into place with little effort. They may also make a distinct sound when they are securely attached. baby seat 's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure that it works for your family. If your child feels uncomfortable or the car seat doesn't connect to the base, you should consider a different alternative. Certain car seats can be put in without the base, which is helpful if you take public transportation or use taxi services like Uber. Follow the manufacturer's directions on how to remove and install the carrier without the base, but the majority will permit you to do this with the simple press of an lever or button. Many will give you the “click” to let you know when it's secure.