Baby Seat: 10 Things I'd Like To Have Learned In The Past
How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly A baby seat is a crash-tested and regulated seat that protects children in the event of a car collision. Infant seats should be rear-facing until the child reaches the maximum weight or height that is permitted by its manufacturer. Easy Installation Car seats must pass strict safety tests to be sold however even the most secure seat can be unsafe if it's not installed correctly. This is why ease of installation is one of the most important features to look for in the car seat. It's worth the effort to learn the proper ways to install your particular vehicle and to practice fitting the seat in a secure empty vehicle before your the baby arrives (or if you have already a toddler). The first step is to read the car seat manual. You can skip the Table of Contents and go straight to the index and find the “child safety seat” section—the exact instructions for installing your car seat will depend on your vehicle make and model, but all cars have a designated area in the rear where children's seats can be placed. You should also consider whether your car has LATCH and what type of lower anchors it comes with in order to determine if certain seats have different types. The most secure infant car seat is one that comes with clear instructions as well as a color-changing indicator, and an easy system to use. A lot of models will click when properly locked and is a great way to confirm the safety of the seat. If you're looking to increase your security, choose a seat with an easy-to install base and a load leg. This will prevent the seat from exploding during the event of a crash, and also from tipping over when braking. In addition, you need to think about the weight of the base and seat together. If you're planning to carry the seat around or take it to Grandma's car frequently, a light style is important; you don't want to carry around an extra-heavy, bulky package. If you're not sure how to install your child safety seat, you may consider asking for guidance from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to instruct parents and caregivers how to put in car seats safely. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database of inspection stations. Easy of Use A baby seat can also be called a car seat or infant safety seat. It's designed to protect and cradle the smallest of children. A majority of them have an underlying base that can be used as an convertible seat or a carrier. The base is typically an adjustable buckle that is kept in the vehicle. They are often lightweight and come with stroller attachments that let parents or caregivers to move the sleeping child without waking them up. Car seats are designed to comply with government standards that are based on the height, weight and age of the child, with the intention of ensuring safety in the event of a collision. These standards, also known as federal motor vehicle safety regulations (FMVSR) are the guidelines used by manufacturers in the develop and test their products. A seat must pass these tests before it can be sold in the United States. Many infant seats are made of plastic, especially ones that are less expensive. The harness and headrest are designed to absorb the force of a crash by breaking up the plastic and dissipating it. The more expensive models could utilize soft, more flexible foam, which will better shield the child's body from the impact of the crash. It is a typical material used in safety devices that require a lightweight and withstand impact, like helmets and car seats. A good car seat should come with a 5-point harness that is connected at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. It should also include an over-tether that keeps the child safe in the case of a collision with a vehicle. The straps must have an option that allows them to be tightened and loosened. This can be accomplished by pressing a button or pulling a lever that is located between the knees of the child. Check to see if the car seat is able to fit in other vehicles in your family If you intend to use it often. Some manufacturers have guides online that explain how their seats fit in different family vehicles. This procedure can be made simpler with the use of Isofix connectors. These connectors are built into the seats and connect to the anchor points of the vehicle with a one click. Safety Parents often put in a lot of effort to protect their children from illness or injuries from bullies, sports injuries and other illnesses however, one of the most effective ways to keep kids safe is by using a car seat. A child restraint can reduce the risk for injuries by 70% when as compared to adults who aren't restrained. However, it only works if it is used correctly. Unfortunately, according to some Canadian and American studies, 73 percent car seats are incorrectly used. The best way to make sure that your toddler or child is secure in the event of an accident to select a car seat with a five-point safety harness. The 5-point harness helps to disperse the impact force across a larger portion of the body. This decreases the chance of injury. The harness also keeps the car seat in place, which means it won't move too much during a collision and increase your child's risk of injury. The best infant car seats also have a well padded seat that cushions your child and provides plenty of head support. Some include energy-absorbing foam, or other features to safeguard your baby's chest and head in the event of a collision with a car. When looking for car seat newborn avoid borrowing or buying one from garage sales, flea market and second-hand stores because you can't know the car seat's history or whether it's been involved in a crash. You should also avoid using a seat that's more than six years old. Before installing a child seat ensure that the latch is tight and that the straps are secure. Don't let your child wear bulky clothing when they are in the seat. The fabric can shrink in a crash and leave the straps of the harness loose, thereby increasing your child's danger of injury. Once your child outgrows the height and weight limits of a car seat, you'll have to upgrade to a convertible or booster seat. The manual of the seat will include recommended weights and ages. Reliability A child safety seat or a baby car seat is a crash-tested device that holds children and babies in vehicles. The device secures the child with the safety harness. Some models cradle them and move with them during an accident, in order to lessen stress on the necks and spine cords. It is vital that the child's seat is properly fitted into your vehicle and is properly used each time you drive. A system that can detect and publicizes unintended side effects of medical or consumer products – such as car seats – could be valuable for parents. A system like this could gather information from doctors who diagnose car seat-related injuries and also encourage patients to reach out to Transport Canada (9). Whether you use the LATCH (lower attachment) or the belt of your vehicle to attach your child's car seat, check the manual to make sure that it's done correctly. Many car seats come with instructions that show you how to install the seat into your vehicle. A lot of manufacturers offer online tutorials. If you share your vehicle or traveling with other family members often, consider purchasing a baby seat that has Isofix connectors built in for easier installation. If you own an older or second-hand car seat make sure it has not been involved in no recent severe or moderate crashes. Make sure that the car seat has not been damaged or recalled. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that your child can sit up straight and that their knees are able to be bent easily over the edge of the seat, and that they can wear a shoulder strap and an un-level lap belt on their hips. Some children have behavioral or physical issues that require a specially-designed car seat. The only secure way to transport these children is in the seat specially made for them and installed properly. Check with your pediatrician or local public health departments to learn more.