Five Killer Quora Answers On Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seats parents have two choices: infant car seat that swivels car seats or convertible seats. Car seats for infants are suitable for rear-facing use so they are less durable.
infant car seat newborn carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. Parents can easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the security of an infant's carrier seat, particularly when they purchase one for their first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was created to safeguard your child as safe as possible in a crash. Most often, they are positioned with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best car seats for newborns choice for infants at the highest risk of injury during a crash.
They also come with extra padding for added head protection and lower anchors to fix the seat to your vehicle's chassis to stop it from moving during a collision. This is especially important for young infants with large necks and heads that are easily injured in an abrupt stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, creating a system which allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to the stroller without having to worry about them.
The majority of infant car seats have a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you bring your child wherever you go. This is ideal for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services often. It also makes travelling with a baby on planes much easier.
Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have a 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 transport your child.
It's also important to keep in mind that a child's car seat is never meant to be left unattended in the vehicle, since infants may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries or even suffocation. This is why it is important to read the safety instructions carefully prior to using a car seat for your infant in a different location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system" which is a combination of the car seat base and the stroller frame. These are able to snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies since they give parents the option to transfer their baby from an automobile to a stroller without waking the baby up. This feature is the main reason that more than 80% Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.
In addition, many infant car seats are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame for walking around the park or at the grocery store. This is a great feature to consider when you are planning to use an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require children to be in a safety seat.
As opposed to convertible car seats, that must be kept in the vehicle baby car seats are usually smaller and lighter, making them a great option for families that are constantly on the move. Some infant car seats that swivel car seats come with a handle, so parents can carry the seat themselves. This is especially helpful if you are planning a trip that you do not want to awake your baby for.
While infant car seats only last until your child is a toddler and they have outgrown the weight and height limits, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing infant car seat, and later transformed into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one car seats are an excellent choice for parents who want to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as possible. You can also find a convertible seat that will transform into a high back booster seat when your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Make sure to look for this when you browse the options!
User-Friendliness
An infant car seat is a rear-facing car seat which connects to a base in your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers safe until they reach weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap time.
Look for an infant seat with a detachable carrier you can attach to the base of a stroller or car. This will make it much easier to get your baby in and out of the vehicle particularly when their nap is over or they are thirsty, hungry or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to ensure they're placed correctly for your child. If the straps aren't low enough or high, they can't be used correctly and can be dangerous in a crash.
Certain infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used without or with the base. This is great for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. Make sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We can also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It is important to choose a seat that has an easy-to use harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's click connect and UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child reaches the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used in combination with a stroller, but they don't offer the convenience or fit for a newborn of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be transformed into boosters. However, they are usually heavier and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is important to do so safely and correctly. This can be affected by the position of your seat and the angle of the base, and how you use the handle.
Most infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that remains in the vehicle, a system commonly referred to as a travel system. They are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing seats. The majority of car seats have an integrated angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base may also have an adjustor to change the angle.
Also, make sure that the seat can adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to remove and repeat the process. This is a great time-saver as you'll need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Some cars have a rigid point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby car safety seats. They are typically tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are custom made for the specific seat and should snap into place with only a little effort. They can also produce distinct sounds when they are connected securely.
It is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to be sure that it works for your family. If the car seat does not fit into the base, or your child is not comfortable, it's time to consider a different option.
Some car seats can be put in without the base, which is beneficial if you take public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. You can usually remove and install the carrier without the base by pressing a lever. Check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many will provide a clear "click" to indicate that it is secure enough.