15 Best Car Seat Newborn Bloggers You Must Follow
best car seats for infants Seat Newborn
Car seats for infants are designed to fit comfortably and securely for infants. They also provide convenience because the majority of them are a "click-in and snap" model.
Make sure the chest clip is placed in the right place to your baby's armpits. If the seat manufacturer allows, use a tightly rolled receiving blanket to cover any gap between the crotch strap of your baby and their bottom to stop sliding.
Safety Seat Labels
When shopping for a car seat for newborns or other baby items be sure to read the labels carefully. Those labels can provide you with a clear understanding of how to use the product safely, and how to care for it in a safe manner. They can also be used to identify products that are not legal or not authentic.
Be wary if, for instance you see a reduced price on the car seat for children. The lower price could mean that the car seat was altered, does not meet U.S. safety standards, or is made for a global market. In these instances the lower cost could make the car seat less secure and may cause serious injuries to a child in an accident.
Labeling requirements for car seats are very specific. They must be met to pass inspections and also to be sold legally in the United States. This includes an white label with red and black lettering that indicates the seat meets the federal requirements, as well as an additional label on the side of the seat that provides the model number and serial number, the date of manufacture and instructions for the use of the car seat. A valid car seat should also come with a manual and registration card to verify that the seat has been purchased through an authorized dealer.
Another crucial piece of information on a car seat's label is the child weight and height limits. These limits will help you determine which car seat is appropriate for your child. For instance, if your child is extremely small and weighs less than 22 pounds, then you'll require a rear-facing car seat.
Some seats, especially convertible seats, will have an indication on the label of how to recline the seat properly. It may be a line that aligns your seat with the floor or a ball in a specific slot. This is vital, as improperly reclining a seat can put your infant car seat rear facing at risk of injury in the event an accident.
Most manufacturers put the warning label centered on the front of the cushion for the booster seat. This location is preferred because it will be readily visible when the child is riding in the seat. It is also easily readable and will not be obscured by clothing or other objects that could obscure the message.
Harness Straps
If your child is a stroller, car seats by age seat or any other type of carrier, you need to make sure their harness straps are secure and properly positioned. This is particularly important for newborns who can easily slip out of a loose harness, or be ejected in a crash.
The 5-point harness is designed in a way that it contacts five different areas of your child's body, such as the shoulders, hips, and the crotch between. This helps disperse any force of a crash equally. The straps should fit snugly but not be uncomfortable. If you are unsure of the fit, use the "Pinch Test". Utilize your fingers and thumbs to press the strap against your baby's shoulders. If the strap is too tight that it causes discomfort, it's too tight and must be loosen.
Many parents believe that their child's harness is too tight. However, this could be more risky than straps that are loose. A strap that is loose can move with your child's torso during the event of a crash, and cause spinal compression which can cause injury or death.
If your child is a forward-facing infant carrier seat the harness straps must be positioned snugly over or above the shoulders. A strap that is placed below the shoulder can cause the child's torso to move forward too much in a crash. This could result in them being removed from the car seat, or even into the windshield. This could also cause them to hit their head on the shoulder restraint causing grave injuries or even death.
If the chest clip of your child is higher than their armpits, then it's a good idea for you to put a blanket or washcloths beside the baby as a head and neck support. This will prevent them from squirming their way to the back of the seat, possibly getting their neck caught on the chest clip, and possibly strangling themselves in an accident.
Chest Clip
The chest clip is among the most misunderstood functions on car seats. Many parents are led to believe that it holds the child in the car seat and even if it is properly positioned, it can have some scary myths associated with it (low chest clips puncturing stomachs, for instance).
The chest clip isn't strong enough to hold your child in an accident. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle which is why it's crucial to buckle the harness at the crotch and not at the chest. If the chest clip is set too low, the harness straps can slide off the shoulders in the event of a crash. This could result in ejection from the car seat. This is why it's suggested to place the chest clip in the armpit as well as the position that the majority of manuals for car seats recommend placing it.
Chest clips function as a pre-crash positioning device and help keep the harness straps in place and on the child's shoulders. It is not common for a chest clip to break in the event of a crash due to the force applied. However, this does not affect the safety of your child so long as they wear the crotch buckles.
If your child is wearing a jacket or blanket be sure to take it off it before you buckle the harness as this can hinder the harness straps from being properly positioned on their shoulders. In the same way, heavy outer clothing should be kept at home when taking your infant or toddler to a ride in their car seat.
A chest clip that's not placed correctly could also hinder your child from being able to reach their buckle on their seat and remove the buckle. This can be dangerous if they are trying to escape their seat while you're driving, and could also lead to them getting themselves unbuckled during a sudden stop or a crash. Installing a buckle Guard to your car seat will stop your child from pressing the release button and then opening their chest clips.
Crotch Buckle
The crotch strap is located either below the baby's shoulders when in the rear-facing car seat or above them (if in a forward-facing car seat). It should be as close to their body as is possible and placed between their legs.
Newborns' floppy legs are often tucked in the crotch and do not sit in the right position. This can impede their airway and cause them to choke or even become unresponsive in a crash.
The buckle cover can be created using a simple crochet pattern to keep the legs in place. The pattern should not contain any loose threads around the buckle. The cover should be made of a stretchy, soft material.
It is recommended to speak with a child safety technician (who is an expert in the car seat industry) for more details about your specific model and the Best Car Seat Newborn method to secure it. Even if you carefully follow the instructions that come with your car seat, there is more to be learned.
Infant car seats are specially designed for babies and smaller infants. They are attached to the vehicle's base and can be removed with just a single click. They have several characteristics that make them safer than the larger convertible car seats and include a recline indicator to make sure the baby is sitting upright.
Many parents choose infant car seats due to their convenience and portability particularly when travelling. It is important to keep in mind that these seats are safe to use until your child is at the maximum weight and height limit of the seat.
When your child is no longer in their infant car seat then you'll need change them to a convertible seat. These seats come with excellent safety features, like well-engineered side impact protection and a five point harness. They are more difficult to move from one vehicle to another and take up more space than car seats for infants.
To create a crotch buckle cover for your convertible car seat, an extra large hook and size 5 crochet thread are needed. The cover must be constructed to fit over the buckle of the car seat. There should be some inches of space left to drape over the edge of the car seat. Start with a standing sc in the first chain from the bottom of the strap. Work in sc around the strap including the chains from the previous row. Repeat this process until the other end of the strap. Secure the strap and weave ends.