Five Killer Quora Answers On Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when choosing a car seat for their infant: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants have a shorter duration of use because they can only be used with rear-facing.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to make a travel system. This allows parents to get their baby out of the car to a stroller with ease without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the security of an infant car seat in front seat's carrier seat, especially when they buy one for their first time. But, like all car seats on the market, an infant's seat is designed to be as safe as possible to protect your infant in the event of a crash. Most of the time they are set with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best car seat infant choice for infants who are at the greatest risk of injury during a crash.
These seats also have additional padding for head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in case in the event of an accident. This is especially crucial for infants with large necks and heads that could be easily injured in a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a system that allows you to easily transfer your baby from your car to your stroller without disturbing them.
The majority of infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you take your baby with you wherever you go. This is ideal for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services frequently. It can also make traveling with an infant on planes much more convenient.
Certain infant carrier seats are even capable of being used on strollers without the base, which allows you to keep your baby safe on all types of excursions and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to help you out with transporting your child, too!
It's important to remember that an infant carrier is not meant to be left unattended on a smooth surface. Babies can tip or roll over, causing injuries and even the possibility of suffocation. This is why you should always read the safety instructions carefully before using a car seat for your infant in a different place.
Portability
Many infant car seats come as part of a "travel infant car seat system", which is an amalgamation of the car seat base and the stroller frame. They connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents the ability to transfer their baby from an automobile to a stroller without waking the baby up. This feature is the main reason why more than 80% Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.
Many infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents easily take their baby out of the car and put them on the frame of a stroller to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is an excellent feature to consider when you plan on using an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
Compared to convertible car seats that must be kept in the vehicle the infant car seats are often smaller and lighter, making them a convenient option for families who are on the move. Some infant car seats also come with a handle, so that parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly helpful when you have a trip planned that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are ideal if you want to keep your child in a safe seat for as long as is possible. You can even find an convertible seat that can change into a high-back booster seat when your child has outgrown the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to search for this when browsing the options!
Easy of Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is a car seat that snaps into base of your vehicle. They are designed to keep newborns and infants secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This can allow you to easily transfer the baby from the car to the stroller and continue your journey without disturbing their nap schedule.
Look for an infant car seat rear facing car seat with an attachable carrier that attaches to the base or a stroller. This will make it much easier to get your child into and out of the car, especially when their nap is about to end or they are thirsty, hungry or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to make sure they are positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't properly used and could be a risk in a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is ideal for taxi rides as well as for travel on airplanes. It's important to check that the lower anchors are on an European routing route and are easy to set up and remove, and we look for an audible click to ensure the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment features, like the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seat is the next step after an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child meets the height or weight requirements for the booster. They can be used combination with strollers, but they don't offer the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally bigger and more difficult to transport which makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children around busy areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, particularly infant car seats, is a challenge. It is important to do it safely and correctly. The factors that affect this include the position of the seat and the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.
The majority of rotating infant car seat car seats are attached to a base in the vehicle. This is commonly called a "travel system". These seats are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing car seats. The majority of car seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to make sure the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base may also have an adjustor to change the angle.
Also, make sure that the seat permits you to adjust the shoulder straps' height without having to unthread and repeat the process. This is a huge time saver, as you will need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Certain cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are made specifically for the particular seat and will snap into place with little effort. They can also produce distinct sounds when they are connected securely.
It is also a great idea to test the car seat on a child first to make sure it works well for your family. If the car seat doesn't fit into the base, or your child isn't at ease, it's time to look for a different option.
Certain car seats can be equipped to be used without a base. This is beneficial if you use taxi or public transportation like Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions for removing and installing the carrier without the base, but most will allow you to do it by pressing a button or lever. Many will provide a "click" to inform you when it's secure.