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Choosing Between an Infant and a Convertible Newborn Car Seat A car seat for newborns is also referred to a baby car seat or infant safety seat. It is designed to protect infants against injuries and deaths in car accidents. They come with harnesses that distribute the restraint forces across the head and body of the child instead of the spinal cord or neck. These seats are available in rear-facing and convertible versions, as well as with an array of weight and height limits. They can also be part of a set for travel that snaps into a stroller base. Rear-facing Rear-facing newborn child car seats provide unbeatable protection in accidents for infants. They are designed to hold and support children, while protecting their spine, neck and head. They also help to reduce injuries by stopping the impact of an accident from striking your child. This is because your child's body isn't colliding with the vehicle seat or front passenger seat, but instead a soft, cushioned surface inside their car seat. According to the AAP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Parents should keep their child rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat or height limit. Around the age of one, most children will outgrow the infant car seat and transition to a convertible car seat that can face forward. However, many parents prefer to keep their child in a rear-facing car seat until the 2nd birthday of their child. There are two main types: infant-only car seat and convertible car seats. Both are equally safe but have different features. For instance, infant-only seats are smaller and lighter. They also have the quick-release base which can easily be detached from the vehicle and then attached to the stroller. Convertible car seats are bigger and heavier, and don't have an integrated base for strollers. It is essential that you always use the back seat regardless of the seat type. It is also recommended to put tightly rolled washcloths or blankets between the crotch straps and your baby to ensure there is no slack in the harness. Also, ensure that the lower anchors are anchored to the lower attachment points of your vehicle's lower anchor bars and that the car seat is properly installed and secured. There is a lot of debate over how long a baby should ride rear-facing, research shows that babies up to 12 months old are less likely to suffer injuries in car accidents if they're facing the back of the car. Car seats with rear-facing seats allow babies to experience less impact when they hit the car's front, instead of the rear which could result in serious injuries. Forward-facing Many parents have given a lot of thought to their infant's car seat. It was a major item on the baby registry, and the way you brought your child home from the hospital. Now as your child gets older, you may be thinking about turning the car seat facing forward. It's important to keep it in mind that your child's not ready until they reach the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer of their car seat. Rear-facing is recommended until your baby weighs at minimum 20 pounds and has reached the age of one year. Children younger than one year don't have the neck muscles required to withstand whiplash when thrown in an accident. They also face an increased risk of suffering spinal injuries in head-on collisions. You can purchase a convertible or all-in-one car seat, which will allow your child to remain rear-facing until they reach the height and weight limit for the seat. These are usually bucket-style infant car seats that are attached to a base that can be installed in your vehicle. The base can then be removed and attached to strollers as a system for travel. They are typically lighter in weight and height restrictions than a standard car seat. You can also purchase an extra booster. These seats are fitted with a harness and can be converted into a booster seat which allows your child to wear a seat belt once they are ready. This kind of car seat has the primary advantage that it can be used in your vehicle for all of your child's childhood which makes it much easier to move the car seat from one location to another. No matter which car seat you pick, read the instructions and adhere to them. Get a certified safety technician to make sure that your child's car seat has been installed and is used in a safe manner. Car seat misuse is very frequent, and even the most well-meaning parents could injure their children if they don't know what they're doing. It is best to study the instructions on the car seat and follow the advice of a CPST. Convertible Many parents choose a convertible newborn car seat because they can develop with your baby which allows them to travel in a safe manner from infancy to toddlerhood. These seats are cheaper than infant seats and offer longer life span. But, it's crucial to select a seat that is simple to install and will fit in your vehicle. Additionally, be sure to ensure your child's safety by buckling them correctly each time. Snug straps keep the head from slipping into a potentially dangerous chin-to-chest posture which could lead to strangulation or asphyxiation. A majority of infant car seats have straps that are not buckled or loose. This is a major security issue. Straps that aren't buckled can cause a dangling neck that has been the source of numerous accidents. If the crotch strap has not been tightened enough to pass the pinch test, it may be a risk. This test determines if the crotch buckle is tight enough to prevent a newborn's legs from slouching down in the seat, causing them to be injured or trapped. Some convertible car seats for newborns come with an adjustable torso-height that allows you to adjust the height limit based on your child's growth. The minimum torso height should be the same as the height of the shoulders of your infant or one inch lower. Some models include an infant insert that can help bring your child up to the proper height for the seat. The best convertible newborn car seat should have a comfortable fit, comfortable padding, and a slender base that lets you install it easily in your car. It should also have a tight, snug harness that can pass the pinch test as well as a small, tightly rolled blanket or towel in case of an accident. It should also include a tether that attaches to the anchor points of your vehicle, which will reduce injuries in an accident by reducing the impact force. Additionally, it should come with the travel system, which consists of a car seat that pairs with a stroller and a handle you use to carry the infant from the car to the stroller. Safety features When it comes to choosing the best car seats for their newborns parents must consider a myriad of factors to consider. Car seats are a must-have for families who are just starting out because using them reduces the risk of fatal motor vehicle collision injuries by 71 percent. The choice between an infant car seat and a convertible model comes down to several factors, including safety features, compatibility with your vehicle, and convenience. Car seats for infants are designed with the delicate physiology of a newborn in mind. They typically have the base that is able to stay in the car and the carrier snaps into the position, making it simple to move your baby from the car to stroller and back without causing any disturbance to them. They also have built-in harnesses and a crotch strap to ensure your baby's safety. Some infant cars are equipped with side-impact protection, which distributes the force of the collision away from the baby's head and neck. They come with metal, plastic and foam that absorbs energy and protects the baby's head from direct contact with the frame of the vehicle or other objects involved in a collision. Some even have a special pod on the door's side that extends out to protect the head of the infant. A chest clip is another safety feature that is becoming more prevalent on newborn car seats. infant car seat swivel keeps the harness straps flat against the chest of your baby. This prevents the straps pinching or twisting around shoulders which can expose your child to the risk of injury. If you opt for a car seat with this feature, ensure the chest clip is placed at armpit height. It is also important to be sure to avoid dressing your child in bulky clothing that might interfere with the harness's fit. Check that the car seat is fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions regardless of the model you choose. Check for the lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system, which consists of a connector that clips into the lower anchor points of a car and an tether strap that is attached to the top of the seat. It then connects to an anchor on your vehicle. If your vehicle isn't equipped with LATCH, you can use a seat belt to secure the car seat.