Is Technology Making Infant Carrier Seat Better Or Worse?
What is an Infant Carrier Seat? Parents have two options when choosing the right car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants have an enticingly short time of use as they are only used with rear-facing. Infant carriers can be used with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates an ideal travel system. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car into a stroller with ease without causing any disturbance to them. Safety Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was created to safeguard your child as safe as it is possible in the event of a collision. Most often they are set with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best choice for infants who are at the greatest chance of being injured in an accident. These seats also feature extra padding to provide additional head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event in the event of an accident. This is particularly crucial for infants who have large necks and heads that are easily injured by an abrupt stop or crash. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, forming a travel system that allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to the stroller without disturbing them. In addition, many infant car seats come with a base that can be installed in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services frequently. It can also make traveling with an infant on planes a lot easier. Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that do not have a base. This lets you ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who would like to assist you in the transportation of your child! It is also important to remember that a child's car seat is not meant to be left unattended outside of a vehicle, as infants may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and possibly suffocation. It is crucial to read the directions before using an infant seat in a new area. Portability Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of a travel system, which is a combination of the car seat base and stroller frame which snap into one another for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and back without having to wake them up. This is the primary reason that more than 80% of Babylist parents purchase an infant seat. Many infant car seats can be used with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into the frame of a stroller to walk around a park or grocery store. This is an excellent feature to consider when you are considering using a ride-sharing or taxi service. The majority of these services require children to be secured in a seat. Car seats for infants are typically lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families who prefer to be active. Some infant car seats have a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is especially useful for those planning a trip you don't want to awake your baby for. Infant car seats last until your child is a toddler and they have outgrown the height and weight limits Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat, and later changed to a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are great if you're looking to keep your child in a secure seat for as long as it is possible. You can also find seats that convert to convert into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Be sure to search for this when browsing options! User-Friendliness A rear-facing infant car seat is a car seat that snaps into the base of your car. They are designed to keep infants and babies secure until they reach the height and weight requirements for a booster seat. 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. Look for an infant seat with an adjustable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will allow you to quickly take your baby into and out of the car, especially if their nap is about to expire or if they're thirsty, hungry or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to ensure they're placed correctly for your child. If the straps have been placed too low or high, they cannot be properly used in a crash and could be risky. Certain infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is ideal for taxi rides or when traveling via plane. It is important to ensure that the lower anchors are on an European routing path and are simple to install and release and look for a click that sounds like an alarm when the seat is properly secured. It is important to choose a seat that has an easy harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's Click Connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure. Convertible car seats are the next level from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child is their weight or height requirements for the booster seat. They can be used in combination with strollers but they don't provide the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats can be transformed into boosters. However they tend to be heavier and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in crowded areas. Installation Installing car seats, particularly infant car seats, can be difficult. It is essential to do so correctly and safely. This can be affected by the position of the seat, the angle of base, and the way you use the handle. Most infant car seats can be connected to a base inside the vehicle. This combination is often called a “travel system”. These seats are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing seats. Many car seats come with an integrated angle indicator that can be read to make sure the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base may have an angle adjustor. Another thing to consider is if the seat has an option to adjust the height of the shoulder strap without having to detach and reconnect the straps. This could be a huge time saver, as it is likely to require multiple times during the course of the use of a car seat for infants. Lastly, some cars have hard points on the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between the cushion back of the seat and the bottom. The hooks will snap into place easily as they are designed specifically to fit the seat. When they are in place to the seat, you might hear a distinct sound. It is also a good idea to test the car seat with a toddler to be sure it will work well for your family. If your child isn't comfortable or the car seat isn't able to connect to the base, you should search for a different alternative. Some car seats are capable of being installed without the base. This is a great option for those who use taxi or public transportation services like Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions for removing and installing the car seat without base, but the majority will allow you to do this with the simple press of an lever or button. Many will give you an “click” to let you know when it's secure.