15 Best Car Seat Newborn Bloggers You Must Follow
Car Seat Newborn
Car seats for infants are made to be a snug and secure fit for infants. They also offer convenience since they are typically designed to be a "click-in and snap" model.
The chest clip should be positioned between your baby's armpits. If the seat manufacturer allows, use a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to cover any gaps between your baby's bottom and the crotch straps to prevent them from slouching.
Safety Seat Labels
When purchasing a best car seats newborn seat or other baby products make sure you be sure to read the labels carefully. These labels can provide you with useful information on how to use and take care of the product. They can also be used to identify products that aren't compliant or counterfeit.
For example, if you observe that the price of a child safety seat has been marked down substantially from the original price, you should be cautious. That lower price could be a sign that the car seat has been altered with, isn't compliant with U.S. standards, or was made for a market outside of the U.S. In these cases the lower price could make the seat less safe and cause serious injury to your child in the event of a crash.
Car seat labeling requirements are very specific. They must be met in order to pass inspections, and be sold legally in the United States. This is an white label with black and red lettering which indicates that the seat complies with federal standards, and a label on the side of the seat which contains the model number, serial number, date of manufacture, and the instructions 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 has been purchased through an authorized dealer.
The label of a car seat also includes information on the maximum weight and height of a child. These limits will tell you if the seat is right for your child. For instance, if your child is very small and weighs under 22 pounds, you will need to get a rear-facing car seat.
Some seats, especially convertible seats, will have an indication on the label of how to recline the seat correctly. It could be a line that aligns the seat with the floor or a ball in an exact slot. This is very important since reclining a seat could put your child at risk for injuries in the event of a crash.
Most manufacturers place the warning label centered on the front of the cushion. This is because it is visible when the child is 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
You should always check that the harness straps of your child's car seat, stroller, or other carrier are tight and properly placed. This is particularly crucial for babies who could easily slip off a loose harness or even be ejected from the vehicle in an accident.
The 5-point harness is designed to touch five different points on your child's body (shoulders hips, the back and between the crotch) to evenly distribute any crash forces. The ideal is for the straps to be snug but not uncomfortable or tight. If you aren't sure about the fit, you can use the "Pinch Test". Utilize your fingers and thumbs to pinch the strap on the shoulders of your child. If the strap is tight enough that it causes discomfort it's time to loosen.
Many parents feel that their child's harness is too tight. However, this could be more dangerous than straps that are too loose. A loose strap can move with your child's torso in an accident and the spinal column can be compressed and cause injury or death.
If your child is a forward-facing infant the harness straps must be positioned snugly over or above the shoulders. A strap that is placed below the shoulder could cause the child's torso move forward too much in the event of a crash. This could cause them to be forced out of the car seat, or even into the windshield. It could also cause them to crash their head on the shoulder restraint, causing serious injuries or death.
If your child's chest clip is above their armpits it's a good idea place a couple of blankets that are tightly rolled or washcloths beside the infant for neck and head support. This will stop them from squirming their way to the back of the seat, potentially getting their neck caught on the chest clip and strangling themselves in the event of a crash.
Chest Clip
The chest clip is among the most misunderstood features of car seats. Many parents are led to believe that it is used to secure the child in the car seat and even when correctly positioned it can have some scary myths attached to it (low chest clips piercing stomachs, for instance).
First foremost the chest clip can't actually hold your child's body in an accident. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle that's why it's vital to buckle the harness at the crotch, not on the chest. If the chest clip is placed too low, it can cause the straps of the harness to slide off the shoulders in a crash and potentially result in ejection from the seat. It is recommended that the chest clip be placed at armpit height, as the majority of car seat guidelines recommend.
Chest clips are made to be an aid to keep the harness straps on the child's shoulder and in alignment with their arms. It's not common for a chest clip to break during a crash due to the force that is applied. However, this does not impact the safety of your child as long as they are wearing crotch buckles.
If your child is wearing blankets or jackets, make sure to remove it first before you secure the harness. This can make it difficult for the straps to fit properly on the shoulders. Also, any bulky outer clothes should be kept at home when taking your toddler or infant on a trip in their car seat.
A chest clip that's not correctly positioned could hinder your child's ability reach the buckle on their seat. This could be risky, especially when your child is trying to get out from their seat while driving. It can also lead to them to unbuckle themselves accidentally during a sudden stop or crash. The best car seat newborn solution is to put a Buckle Guard on your car seat, which stops your child from pressing the release button and releasing their chest clip.
Crotch Buckle
The crotch strap is located either beneath the baby's shoulders if in the rear-facing car seat for newborn seat or above them (if in a forward-facing car seat). It should be put as close as possible to the baby's body and between their legs.
The floppy legs of newborns are usually tucked in the crotch, and they do not sit in the correct position. This can impede their airway and cause them to choke or even become unresponsive during a crash.
Utilizing a crochet pattern to make the buckle cover can aid in keeping their legs in the right position. The pattern should be simple and should not have loose threads around the buckle. The ideal cover should also be made with a soft, stretchy yarn.
It's recommended to speak with a child safety technician (who is an expert in the car seat industry) for more details about the specific model you have and the Best Car Seat Newborn way to secure it. Even if you follow all the instructions for your car seat there is always more to learn that isn't obvious.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for newborns and smaller infants. They are attached to a base which stays in the car and can be removed with a single click. They have several characteristics that make them safer than larger convertible car seats with a built-in recline indicator to make sure the baby is upright.
Many parents choose to use an infant car seat swivel car seat because they are easy to use and portable, particularly when traveling. However, it's important to keep in mind that they're only safe for use until your child is at the maximum height and weight limitations of the seat.
Once your child outgrows their infant car seat, you will need change to a convertible seat. These seats are safe and have great features, such as side impact protection and a five-point harness. They are more difficult to move from one vehicle to another and take up more room than car seats for infants.
A large hook and a size five crochet thread are required to create a crotch-buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should sit over the buckle of the car seat, leaving a few inches of drape over the edge. Begin by making an sc standing on the first chain at the end of the belt. Work in sc around the strap including the chains from the previous row. Repeat the same process at the other end. Attach the strap and weave ends.