What's The Most Important “Myths” About Car Seat Newborn Could Actually Be True
Car Seat Newborn Infant car seats provide a snug and secure fit for babies. Most are “click in and snap” models which makes them easy to use. Make sure that the chest clip is centered at your baby's armpits. If the seat manufacturer permits the use of a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to fill in any gaps between the crotch strap of your baby and their bottom to stop slouching. Safety Seat Labels Make sure to review all labels prior to purchasing a car seat for newborns or other baby products. These labels can provide useful information on how to use and care for the product. They can also be used to identify products that are not compliant or counterfeit. Be cautious if, for instance you see a reduced price on the child safety car seat. The lower price could mean that the car seat was modified or is not in compliance with U.S. safety standards, or is designed for a global market. In these instances the lower price could make the car seat less secure and may cause serious injuries to the child in the event of an accident. Legitimate car seats have very specific requirements for labeling which must be met to pass inspections and be legally sold in the United States. This is white labels with black and red lettering that indicates the seat meets federal requirements, and a label on the side of the seat which contains the model number and serial number, the date of manufacture and instructions for the use of the car seat. A valid car seat will also include a manual and a registration card to confirm that the seat has been purchased from a licensed dealer. The label on car seats also include information about the maximum weight and height of a child. These limits will tell you which car seat is appropriate for your child. For instance If your child is extremely short and weighs less than 22 pounds, you will require a rear-facing car seat. Some seats, especially convertible seats, will have an indication on the label of how to recline the seat properly. This could be an instruction to level the seat with the ground or a ball that needs to be placed in a specific slot. This is vital since reclining a seat can put your infant at risk of injury in the event an accident. The warning label is typically placed on the outside of the cushion. This is the preferred location because it is easily visible to the child while they are in the booster seat. It is easy to read and won't be obscured by clothing or other objects. Harness Straps If your child is in a car seat, stroller or other carrier it is important to ensure that their harness straps are snug and properly positioned. This is especially important for newborns who can easily slip off a loose harness or even get ejected from the event of a crash. The 5-point harness is designed to connect five different points on your child's body (shoulders, hips and between the crotch and shoulders) to evenly distribute any crash forces. The straps should fit snugly but not be uncomfortable. If you are unsure of the fit, try the “Pinch Test”. Utilizing your thumb and fingers, pinch the strap at the shoulder of your infant. If the strap is so tight that it causes discomfort, it's too tight and should be loosen. It's also common for caregivers to believe that their baby's harness straps aren't tight enough however this could be more dangerous than a strap that's too loose. A strap that is loose could move with the torso of your child in a crash, compressing down on their spine and possibly causing injuries or even death. If your child is a forward-facing infant, the harness straps must be placed snugly AT or ABOVE the shoulders. A strap that is placed below the shoulder can cause the child's body to move too far forward in the event of a crash. This could result in them being thrown out of the car seat, or even into the windshield. This could also cause them to crash their head on the shoulder restraint, which can cause serious injuries or even death. If your child's chest clip is at or above their armpit level it's a good idea to place tightly rolled blankets or washcloths alongside the baby for head and neck support. This will prevent them from squirming on the back seat and getting their neck caught in the chest clip which could result in strangulation in the event of a car crash. Chest Clip The chest clip is among the most misunderstood features on car seats. Many parents believe that the chest clip is what holds the child in the seat. Even when it is properly positioned, it could still be a subject of myths related to it (lower chest clips puncturing the stomach, for instance). First of all, the chest clip cannot physically hold your child during a crash. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle, that's why it's vital to always buckle the harness at the crotch, not the chest. If a chest clip is too low, it can cause the harness straps to slide off of the shoulders during a crash and possibly result in the ejection of the seat. It is recommended that the chest clip be set at an armpit level, like the majority of car seat instructions recommend. Chest clips are made to be an aid to keep the harness straps on the child's shoulders and in alignment with their arms. During a crash it's not uncommon for the chest clip to break or move down because of the amount of force applied to it during the crash, but this doesn't affect your child's safety in any way, as long as the harness is secured at the crotch buckle. If your child wears blankets or jackets, be sure you remove it before you buckle the harness. This could make it difficult for the straps to fit properly on the shoulders. In the same way, heavy outer clothing should be left at home if you are taking your infant or toddler to a ride in their car seat. cheap infant car seats that is not positioned correctly may also hinder your child's ability reach the seat belt buckle. This could be risky, especially if your child is trying to escape from their seat while driving. It can also cause the buckle to be unfastened in the event of a sudden accident or stop. Installing a buckle Guard to your car seat will deter your child from pressing the release button and then opening their chest clips. Crotch Buckle The crotch strap is situated either below the baby's shoulders when 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 positioned between their legs. Little legs of newborns are floppy that are often stuck in the crotch of the harness and don't sit in the correct position. This can limit their airway and cause them to choke or become unresponsive during a crash. The cover for the buckle can be made using simple crochet patterns to hold the legs in place. The pattern should not contain any loose threads around the buckle. The ideal cover should also be constructed with a soft, stretchy yarn. It is recommended to speak with a child passenger safety technician (who is an expert in the field of car seats) for more details about the specific model you have and the best method to secure it. Even if you follow all the instructions for your car seat there's always more to learn that isn't obvious. Infant car seats are specially designed for newborns and smaller infants. They attach to the base of the vehicle and can be removed with a single click. They have several features that make them safer than the larger convertible car seats and include a recline indicator to ensure the baby is seated upright. Many parents prefer infant car seats because of their portability and ease of use particularly when travelling. It is important to remember that these seats are safe to use until your child has reached the maximum weight and height limit of the seat. If your baby grows out of the infant car seat, they should be switched to a convertible car seat. These seats offer excellent safety features, including meticulously engineered side impact protection and a five-point harness. They are more difficult to transfer from one vehicle to another, and they take up more room than carseats for infants. A large hook and a size five crochet thread are needed to make a crotch buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should be made to fit over the buckle of the car seat with some inches left to drape over the edge of the car seat. Start by making a standing sc on the first chain near the end of the belt. Work in sc around the entire strap, including the chains from the previous row. Repeat the process at the other end. Attach the strap and weave ends.