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Choosing Between an Infant and a Convertible Newborn Car Seat A newborn car seat, also known as an infant safety seat or a baby car seat, helps protect infants from harm and death in car accidents. The harness distributes the restraint force to the body and head of the child instead of the neck or spinal cord. They are available in rear-facing as well as convertible versions, as well as with an array of weight and height limits. They may also be part of an entire travel system that snaps into and out of a stroller base. Rear-facing Rear-facing newborn car seats offer the most complete protection for infants during crashes. They are designed to support and cradle children, securing their neck, head and spine. They also help reduce injuries by preventing the force of an accident from striking your child. This is because your child's body isn't collision-prone with the car seat or front passenger seat, but instead a soft, padded surface inside of their car seat. Parents should ensure that their child is facing rear until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the car seat, as per the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The majority of children outgrow their infant carseat around the age of 1 at which point they can transition to an convertible car seat that can be oriented forward. But, many parents want to keep their child in a rear-facing car seat until the 2nd birthday of their child. There are two types: infant-only car seats and convertible car seat. Both are safe, but each offers different conveniences. Infant-only seats, for example are smaller and lighter. They also have an easy-release base that can be easily removed from the vehicle and reattached to the stroller. Convertible car seats are larger and heavier. They also do not include a stroller base. Regardless of which type of seat you pick, it is important to adhere to the instructions of the manufacturer and to always place the seat in the back of your vehicle. You can also put a blanket that is tightly rolled or washcloth between the crotch straps and your child to ensure the harness is secure. Check that the lower anchors of your car seat are correctly installed and are connected to the lower anchor points on the lower anchor bars. While there is much debate about the length of time a baby can be rear-facing, research has shown that babies up to 12 months old are less likely to suffer injuries in car accidents if they are facing the back of the car. Car seats that are rear-facing allow infants to feel less stress when they crash into the car's front, as opposed the the back which could result in serious injuries. Forward-facing The majority of parents have given plenty of consideration to their newborn car seat. It was a key item on the baby registry and the way you brought your baby home from the hospital. Now that your child is getting older though, you might be thinking about changing the car seat facing forward. It's important to keep it in mind that your child isn't ready until they reach the weight and height limits that are set by their car seat manufacturer. Rear-facing is recommended until your baby weighs at least 20 pounds and reaches the age of one year. Children younger than one year do not have the neck muscles necessary to withstand whiplash from being hit in a crash. They also have an increased risk of suffering spinal injuries when involved in head-on collisions. You can purchase a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, which will allow your child to remain rear-facing until they reach the weight and height limit for the seat. They are usually bucket-style infant seats that have the base that you can install in your vehicle. They can also be separated from the base and connected to strollers to form travel systems. However, they usually have smaller maximum weight and height limits than a standard convertible car seat. Alternatively, you can get a booster seat. These are usually equipped with a harness for young children, and then convert to a belt-positioning booster seat once your child is ready. The major benefit of this type of car seat is that it will remain in your vehicle all through the childhood years, making it easy to transport your child from one vehicle to another. It doesn't matter what car seat you pick follow the directions and follow them. It's also a good idea to speak with a certified car seat safety technician to ensure that the child's car seat is installed and is used correctly. It is common for parents to make mistakes with car seats, and even the most well-intentioned parents may cause harm to their children. It is best to read the instructions on the car seat and follow the recommendations of a CPST. Convertible Many parents opt for a convertible infant car seat because they grow with their child and enable them to travel safely through toddlerhood and into infancy. They are cheaper than car seats for infants and have a long lifespan. It is important to choose the right model that is compatible with your vehicle and is simple to install. Also, make sure you secure your baby correctly every time. Snug straps prevent the head from shifting into a dangerous chin-to-chest position which could lead to strangulation or asphyxiation. A lot of infant carseats come with straps that are loose or not buckled, and this is an extremely risky safety issue. Straps that aren't buckled could cause necks to hang, which is the cause of numerous accidents. The crotch buckle may cause danger if it is not tight enough to pass the pinch test. This test determines if the crotch buckle fits enough to prevent a baby's legs from sliding down the seat and causing them to be injured or trapped. Some convertible infant car seats have adjustable torso-height, which allows you to adjust the height limit based on your child's growth. The minimum torso height must be the same as the height of your infant's shoulders, or one inch lower. Some models include an infant insert to aid in raising your child to the proper height. The ideal convertible infant car seat should be a snug fit, comfortable padding, and a narrow base to allow you to put it in your vehicle. It should also include a snug, tight harness that is able to pass the pinch test as well as a small, tightly rolled blanket or towel in the event there is an accident. It should also have a tether strap that attaches to the anchor points on your vehicle and can reduce crash injuries by decreasing the impact force on your baby. It should also come with the travel set that includes a stroller and car seat that you can use to transfer your child from the car to the stroller. Safety features When it comes to choosing the best car seats for their infants parents must consider a myriad of aspects to consider. Car seats are a crucial purchase for families who are starting a new life, as their correct use can reduce the chance that children will be the victim of a fatal motor vehicle accident injury by 71 per cent. The decision between an infant car seat and a convertible seat comes down to some key factors such as safety features that are compatible with your car, and ease of use. Car seats for infants are designed with a newborn's fragile physiology in mind. The base of the seat is usually located in the car and the carrier snaps into place. This makes it easy to move your baby from stroller to car and back without causing any disturbance. They come with a crotch and harness that are built-in to keep your child safe. Some infant cars have side-impact protection that disperses the force of a crash away from the baby's neck and head. They have plastic, metal and foam that absorbs energy, and protects the baby's head from direct contact with the vehicle frame or other objects in the event of a collision. Some include a specially designed pod on the door side that extends out to protect the head of the infant. A chest clip is another safety feature that is becoming more prevalent in car seats for newborns. It keeps the harness straps firmly against your baby's chest. This prevents the straps from getting caught or twisting around the shoulders, which can place your baby at a greater risk of injuries. If you choose a seat that has this feature, make sure that the chest clip is placed at armpit height. Avoid dressing your baby with heavy outerwear since it could cause interference with the harness. Verify that the car seat is fitted according to the instructions of the manufacturer, regardless of what type you select. Look for top rated infant car seats and Tethers for Children system. This system comprises a connector which clips into the lower anchor points of your car, and a tether that hooks onto an anchor inside the vehicle. If your car doesn't have LATCH, you may use a seat belt to secure the car seat.