What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seat parents have two choices: infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, so they have a shorter lifespan.
Infant carriers can be used with strollers. (Adapters are available separately). This creates a travel system. This lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about how secure an infant carrier seat is, especially when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to protect your child as safely as possible in a crash. Most of the time they are set with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the best option for infants who are at the greatest chance of being injured in an accident.
They also have additional padding for added head protection, and lower anchors to secure the seat to your vehicle's chassis to prevent it from shifting during a collision. This is particularly important with infants with large heads and necks that are susceptible to injury from the force of a crash or sudden stop. In addition, many infant carriers are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a travel system that is easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back again without causing a disturbance to your child.
Furthermore, the majority of infant car seats come with a base that can be used in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child with you wherever you go. This is great for those who frequently use taxi or ride-sharing services and can make travelling on airplanes with your child much more comfortable as well.
Some models of infant carriers are designed to be used on strollers with no base, which allows you to keep your baby safe throughout all sorts of excursions and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to help you out with the transportation of your child!
It is also important to remember that a child's car seat is not meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as babies may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and possibly suffocation. This is why you must review the safety instructions thoroughly prior to using an infant car seat in a different location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to be part of a travel system, comprising a car seat base and stroller frame that snap into one another for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents the ability to transfer their baby from a car to a stroller without waking him up. This alone is a huge reason more than 90% of Babylist parents sign up for an infant seat!
Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. just click the up coming article lets parents easily take their baby out of the car and onto a stroller frame to walk around the park or at the grocery store. This is a great feature to look out for if you plan on using an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require a child to be in a safety seat.
Compared to convertible car seats which are required to be in the vehicle baby car seats are usually smaller and lighter making them a great choice for families on-the-go. Some infant car seats also have a handle so that parents can carry the seat on their own. This is particularly helpful in the event of a trip planned that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby!
Car seats for infants only last until your baby becomes a toddler and they outgrow the height and weight limits Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing infant car seat, and later converted to a forward facing car seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are great if you're looking to keep your child in a safe seat as long as possible. There is a convertible car seat that transforms into an high-back booster seat once your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when browsing options!
Simple to Use
A baby carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat that connects to a base in your vehicle. They are designed to keep newborns and young babies secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your child from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.
Look for an infant seat with an adjustable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller or a car. This will let you quickly get your child in and out of the car, especially if their nap is about to expire or if they're thirsty, hungry or bored. It is also essential to examine the shoulder strap slots and ensure they are properly positioned to fit your child's height. If the straps have been placed too high or low they are not able to be used properly in a crash and could be risky.
Some infant car seats come with lower anchors which can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or traveling via plane. Check 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 properly secured. It's also beneficial to locate a seat that has an easy-to-use harness and adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child is their weight or height requirement for the booster seat. They can be used with strollers, but they don't offer the newborn fit and convenience of an infant car seat. Some convertible seats convert into boosters, but they are typically bigger and more difficult to transport, which can make them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is vital to install car seats safely and correctly. A few factors that could affect this include the seating position as well as the angle of the base and the way to use the handle.
Most infant car seats can be attached to a base in the vehicle. This is commonly called"travel system" or "travel system". They are designed to be used in the rear position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most car seats come with an indicator of angle built-in that you can use to verify if the seat is set at the right semi-reclined level for your child. The base might have an angle adjustment.
Another feature to look for is whether the seat has an option to alter the height of the shoulder straps without having to detach and reconnect the straps. This is a huge time saver since you will have to do it several times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Finally, some cars come with hard points in the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks are designed for the specific seat and are designed to be able to snap into place with minimal effort. They can also produce an audible sound when they are securely connected.
It is also a great idea to test the car seat with an infant first to make sure it works well for your family. If the car seat does not connect to the base or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to look for a different option.
Some car seats can be installed without the base, which is helpful when you travel by public transport or rely on taxi service like Uber. Follow the manufacturer's directions for removing and putting in the car seat without base, but most will allow you to do it with the simple press of an lever or button. Many will give you an "click" to signal that you're safe.