25 Unexpected Facts About Car Seat Newborn
Car Seat Newborn Car seats for infants offer the perfect fit and comfort for infants. Most are “click in and snap” models that make them very convenient. Make sure the chest clip is placed in the right place to your baby's armpits. If the manufacturer of the seat allows, use a tightly rolled receiving blanket to cover any gap between the crotch strap of your baby and their bottom, to prevent slouching. Safety Seat Labels Make sure to read all labels before purchasing a car seat for newborns or other baby products. These labels will give you a good idea of how to use the product safely and how to take care of it properly. They can aid in identifying non-compliant or counterfeit products. Be wary if, for instance you see a reduced price on the child safety car seat. The lower price could be a sign that the car seat has been altered with, is not compliant with U.S. standards, or was created for a market outside of the U.S. In these instances the lower cost could make the car seat less secure and could cause serious injury to your child if it is involved in a crash. Legitimate car seats have very specific requirements for labeling which must be met to pass inspections and to be legally sold in the United States. This includes white labels with black and red letters which indicates that the seat complies with federal standards, and a label on the side of the seat that lists the model number and serial number, the date of manufacture and the instruction for the use of the car seat. A valid car seat will include a user's manual and a registration card to confirm that the seat was purchased through an authorized dealer. The label of a car seat also includes information about the maximum weight and height of a child. These limits will let you know which car seat is appropriate for your child. For instance when your child is extremely short and weighs less than 22 pounds, then you'll need to get a rear-facing car seat. Certain seats, particularly convertible seats, will come with an indicator that will tell you how to recline the seat in the correct way. This could include an indication of how to align the seat with the ground or a ball that needs to be in a certain slot. This is vital, as improperly reclining a seat could put your child at risk for injury in the event of an accident. The warning label is typically placed on the outside of the cushion. This location is preferred because it is easily accessible when the child is riding in the seat. It's also easy to read and will not be covered by clothing or other objects that could obscure the message. Harness Straps Always ensure that the harness straps of your child's car seat or stroller carrier are tight and properly set. This is especially important for newborns who can easily slip from a loose harness or even get ejected from an accident. The 5-point harness is designed to contact five different points on your child's body (shoulders hips, the back and between the crotch and shoulders) to distribute evenly any force that is generated by a crash. Ideally, the straps should be snug but not snug or uncomfortable. If you're unsure of the fit, you can try the “Pinch Test”. Utilize your fingers and thumbs to squeeze the strap onto your baby's shoulders. If the strap is so tight it causes discomfort, then it needs to be loosen. Many parents feel that their child's harness isn't enough tight. But, this could be more risky than straps that are too loose. A strap that is loose could move along with the torso of your child in the event of a crash, and compress on their spine and could result in injuries or even death. If your child is a forward-facing infant, the harness straps should be placed comfortably AT or ABOVE the shoulders. A strap positioned below the shoulder can cause their torsos to move too far forward in a crash, potentially causing them to be ejected from the car seat or be thrown into the windshield. This can cause them to strike their head against the shoulder restraint, which can cause grave injuries or even death. If your child's chest clip is above their armpits, it's a good idea to place tightly rolled blankets or washcloths alongside the baby for head and neck support. This will stop them from squirming their way to the back of the seat, possibly getting their neck caught in the chest clip and tangling themselves in a crash. Chest Clip The chest clip is one of the most misunderstood features on car seats. Many parents are led to believe that it holds the child in the car seat and even when properly placed, it could have some spooky myths about it (low chest clips that puncture stomachs, for instance). The chest clip isn't sufficient to protect your child in an accident. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle, which is why it's crucial to always buckle the harness at the crotch, not the chest. If the chest clip is placed too low, it can cause the harness straps to slide off of the shoulders in a crash and could result in an ejection from the seat. This is why it's recommended to place the chest clip at armpit level as well as the position that the majority of manuals for car seats recommend placing it. Chest clips act as a pre crash positioner that helps keep the harness straps aligned and on the child's shoulders. During a crash it's not uncommon for a chest clip to break or slide down due to the amount of force applied to it during the collision however this won't impact your child's safety in any way so long the harness is securely fastened at the crotch buckle. If your child wears a jacket or blanket make sure you take it off it before you buckle the harness, as it could make it difficult for the harness straps to be being able to properly rest on their shoulders. When putting your child to the car seat, it is best to keep bulky outer clothes at home. A chest clip that isn't positioned correctly can also prevent your child from being able to reach their seat belt buckle to unfasten the buckle. This can be dangerous if they are trying to get out of their seat while you're driving. It could result in them accidentally unbuckling themselves in a sudden stop, or a crash. An easy solution is to install a Buckle Guard on your car seat. This will stop your child from pressing the release button, and then opening their chest clip. Crotch Buckle The crotch strap is located either beneath the baby's shoulders if in a rear-facing car seat, or above them (if in a forward-facing car seat). It should be as close to their body as is possible and placed between their legs. Newborns have floppy legs that often get tucked into the part of the harness that is in the crotch. They don't sit in the correct position. This can impede their airway and cause them to choke or become unresponsive during a crash. The cover for the buckle can be created using a simple crochet pattern to hold the legs in place. The pattern should be easy and not have loose threads in the buckle area. The cover should be constructed of a stretchy, soft material. It's recommended to speak with a child safety technician (who is an expert in the car seat industry) for more information about the specific model you have and how to properly secure it. Even if you've followed the instructions for your car seat there is always more to learn than meets the eye. Infant car seats are specifically made for newborns and small infants. They are attached to the base of the vehicle, and can be removed in a single click. They have several safety features, such as a built in recline indicator that makes sure the baby is sitting up straight. Many parents opt for an infant car seats because they are comfortable and portable, particularly when traveling. It is important to remember that they're only safe to use until your child reaches the maximum height and weight limitations of the seat. Once your baby outgrows the infant car seat, they need to be switched to a convertible car seat. These seats come with excellent safety features, such as side impact protection and a five-point harnesses. They are more difficult to move from one vehicle another and take up more space than infant car seat s. A large hook and size five crochet thread are required to make a crotch buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should be designed to fit over the buckle of the car seat with a couple inches of space left to drape over the edge of the car seat. Start with a standing sc on the first chain from the end of the strap. Work in sc around the strap including the chains from the previous row. Repeat this process to the other end of the strap. Attach the strap and weave ends.