What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When choosing a car seat parents have two choices either infant car seats or convertible seats. Car seats for infants have an enticingly short time of use since they are used with rear-facing.
Baby carrier seats are typically compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to create a traveling system. This lets parents easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about how safe the infant car seat is, especially if they are purchasing one for the first time. However, as with all car seats on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as secure as is possible to protect your baby during an accident. Most often they are placed with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants with the highest chance of being injured in an accident.
They also have extra padding for added head protection, and lower anchors to secure the seat to the vehicle's chassis to stop it from moving in the event of a collision. This is especially important for young infants, with large necks and heads that can be easily injured by the force of a crash or sudden stop. In addition, most infant carrier seats are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a system that can easily be moved from your car to the stroller and back again without causing any disturbance to your child.
Additionally, most infant car seats have an base that can be used in other vehicles to permit you to take your child along with you no matter where you go. This is great for those who use taxis or ride-sharing services often. It also makes traveling with an infant on planes much more convenient.
Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have an element of base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who wish to assist you in transporting your baby, too!
It's also important to keep in mind that an infant carrier seat is never meant to be left unattended in the vehicle, since infants could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and possibly the risk of suffocation. This is why you should always review the safety instructions thoroughly before using a car seat for your infant in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system", which is a combination of the car seat base and the stroller frame. These connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies, as they give parents the option to transfer their baby from a car to a stroller without waking the baby up. This feature alone makes it an important reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents sign up for a seat for their infant!
In addition, many infant car seats are compatible with a wide range of strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to remove their child from the car and put it on a stroller frame so they can walk around a park or supermarket. This is an excellent feature to look for when you are planning to use an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require a child to be in a safety seat.
Infant car seats are usually lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families who prefer to be active. Some infant car seats also come with a handle, so that parents can carry the seat themselves. This is particularly useful in the event of a trip planned that you don't wish to wake your baby!
While infant car seats only last until your child is a toddler and they outgrow the weight and height limitations Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing seat for newborns, then transformed into 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 secure seat as long as possible. You can find a convertible car seat that can be converted into a high-back booster seat when your child is too big for the harness (or reaches the limit on weight and height). Be sure to search for this when browsing the options!
Easy of Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is an infant car seat that snaps into the base of your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants safe until they reach weight and height requirements for the booster. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it simple to move your child from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap.
Look for a baby seat with a detachable carrier you can attach to the base of a stroller or car. This will let you quickly take your baby into and out of the car, particularly if their nap is about to end or if they're hungry, thirsty or bored. Check the shoulder strap slots to ensure they're positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't used correctly and can cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats also come with lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides and when traveling on airplanes. Check that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It's important to choose a seat that comes with an easy-to-use harness and a carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's click connect and UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child is at the height or weight requirements for the booster. They can be used with strollers, but they don't offer the newborn fit and convenience of a baby car seat. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters however they are generally heavier and less portable and therefore difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is essential to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. The factors that affect this include the seat positioning and the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.
Most infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a combination commonly referred to as a traveling system. These seats are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. The majority of car seats have an integrated angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is at the right semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base might include an adjustable angle.
It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the shoulders' height without needing to remove and replace them. This could be a huge time-saver, as it is likely to need to be done multiple times during the car seat of an infant.
Finally, some cars come with hard points in the back seat specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks ought to snap into place with ease since they are made specifically for the seat. When they are in place, you may hear a distinct sound.
car seat newborn is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to be sure it will work well for your family. If the car seat doesn't click into the base or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to look for a different alternative.
Certain car seats can be put in without the base, which is beneficial for those who use public transportation or rely on taxi services like Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to remove and install the vehicle without the base, but the majority will allow you to do this with the simple press of the lever or button. Many will provide a "click" to inform you when it's secured.