Your child’s safety relies on using a car seat, therefore it’s crucial that you use one correctly and in accordance with the latest recommendations.
It’s possible to start using a convertible car seat from the time your child is born, but the vast majority of parents choose for an infant seat instead. Because of the ease of using infant car seats, this is the case. It’s important to note that either choice will keep your child secure as long as you follow the instructions provided by the car seat’s manufacturer.
Let’s take a look at the many car seat options, how to properly install each one, and when it’s time to upgrade to a convertible seat.
When taking a baby on the road, parents can select either a dedicated infant seat or a convertible seat. If your baby fits the car seat’s height and weight requirements, you can use either one. Make sure you know how to install the seat correctly to avoid any accidents. The greatest car seat for your infant will be the one that fits your needs as a parent. Take a look at this comparison of infant and convertible car seats to learn the main differences between the two.
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Right off the Bat:
Check the height and weight restrictions of your car seat by reading the instructions. If your infant hasn’t yet hit one of these milestones, you should hold off on making the switch until they have. Even if your arms are becoming tired from carrying baby around by the infant seat’s handle, there’s really no need to rush.
According to Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, family physician and co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year, “rear-facing baby car seats offer the best support for babies’ heads, necks, and spinal cords in the event of a car accident.” Without a doubt, they are the safest option for transporting infants in a vehicle.
When upgrading to a larger car seat, you shouldn’t turn your child around either. Children should ride with their backs supported until age 2, as advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The baby is more safer in a rear-facing car seat in the event of an accident.
When do Infant Car Seats Need to be Replaced?
Most infant seats have a maximum height and weight limit of 30 to 32 inches and 30 to 35 pounds, respectively.
However, before putting your baby in a car seat, be sure to check the guidelines for that seat to ensure he or she meets the minimum and maximum height and weight requirements.
Exactly What is a Convertible Car Seat?
A convertible car seat, often known as a toddler seat, can be installed facing either the rear or the front of the vehicle. Unlike infant car seats, which are meant to be taken in and out of the car, convertible car seats are intended to remain in the vehicle at all times. They aren’t portable because they lack carrying handles and separate stands. It is possible to keep larger infants and toddlers rear-facing for longer distances in a convertible car seat than in a rear-facing-only seat. The car seat may be turned around so that it faces forward for youngsters who have outgrown the rear-facing position.
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The 5-point harness found in convertible car seats fastens at the shoulders, hips, and in the space between the legs.
