Five Killer Quora Answers On Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options to choose a car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are only suitable for rear-facing use, therefore they are less durable.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This allows parents to take their baby from the car into the stroller without causing any disturbance to them.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, especially when they purchase one for the first time. As with all car seat inserts for newborns seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to safeguard your child as safely as is possible in the event of a crash. They are typically placed in the rear, which makes them the best choice for infants who face the greatest danger of injury in an accident.
They also come with extra padding to offer head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event of an accident. This is especially crucial for babies with necks that are large and heads that are easily injured in the sudden stopping or collision. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, forming a travel system which allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to the stroller without disturbing them.
Additionally, most infant car seat newborn seats come with bases that can be used in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is a great option when you regularly use taxi or ride-sharing services and can make travelling on airplanes with your portable infant car seat a lot easier also.
Some models of infant carriers are capable of being used on strollers with no base, allowing you to ensure your baby's safety throughout all sorts of adventures and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who would like to help you out with transporting your baby, too!
It's important to remember that an infant carrier is not intended to be left unattended on a smooth surface. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries and even the possibility of suffocation. It is important to read the instructions before using an infant seat in a new location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed as part of the travel system, which is comprising a car frame and seat base which snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they allow parents to transfer their child from the car to the stroller and back without needing to awake them. This alone is the main reason why more than 90% of Babylist parents sign up for a seat for their infant!
Many infant car seats work with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to quickly take their child out of the car and put them on a stroller frame to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to consider when you are planning to use a taxi or ride-sharing service. The majority of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
As opposed to convertible car seats which must remain in the car, infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter, making them an ideal option for families that are constantly on the move. In addition, certain infant car seats come with the option of a handle that parents can use to transport the seat on their own. This is particularly useful if you are planning a trip that you don't want wake up your sleeping baby for.
While infant car seats only last until your child is a toddler and they have outgrown the weight and height limitations Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing baby car seat, then converted to a forward facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one car seats are a great option for parents who want to keep your baby in a safe car seat for as long as possible. There is even seats that convert to change into a high-back booster seat once your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Just be sure to check for this when you are looking at options!
Easy to Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is car seat that snaps into base of your car. They are designed to keep infants and babies safe until they meet the height and weight requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This can make it easy to transfer the baby from the car to the stroller and continue on your journey without disturbing their nap time.
Look for an infant seat with a detachable carrier which you can connect to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will make it much easier to get your baby into and out of the car, especially when their nap is ending or they are hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's also important to look over the slots on the shoulder straps and make sure they're properly placed to fit your child's height. If the straps have been placed too high or low, they cannot be properly used in a crash and could be dangerous.
Certain infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is ideal for taxi rides or traveling by plane. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors have a European routing path and are easy to set up and remove and we're looking for an audible click when the seat is securely secured. It's also helpful to find seats that have an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment system, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next level from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child is their height or weight requirement for a booster seat. They can be used combination with strollers however they do not offer the infant-like fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be transformed into boosters. However, they are usually more bulkier and less mobile. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is crucial to do it in a safe and secure manner. Some factors that can impact this include the seating position as well as the angle of the base, and the best car seat way to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are connected to a base within the vehicle. This is commonly known as a "travel system". These seats are made for rear-facing use, which is safer than forward-facing. The majority of car seats have an angle indicator built in that you can use to check if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could have an angle adjustment.
You should also check if the seat permits you to adjust the shoulders' height without needing to remove and rethread them. This can be a real time saver, since it will likely have to be done several times during the use of a car seat for infants.
Finally, some cars come with hard points on the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between the seat back cushion and the bottom cushion. These hooks should be able to snap into place quickly as they are custom-made for the seat. They could also make a distinct sound when they are connected securely.
It's also a good idea to test the car seat with an infant before deciding if it works well for your family. If the car seat does not connect to the base or your child isn't at ease, it's time to find another alternative.
Certain car seats can be put in without a base, which is helpful when you travel by public transport or use taxi services like Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without a base by pressing a lever. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you an explicit "click" when it is secure enough.