New Carseats for Infants
Posted in Carseats on
Carseats are important. You have to have one before you can leave the hospital with your newborn infant.
There are many choices and options when it comes to new carseats for infants. Which one do you choose? Are the most expensive carseats always the best? Let’s answer some of these basic questions here.
Buying a New Carseat for Your Infant
Many people assume the most expensive carseats must be the best. However, all car seats currently for sale have met or exceeded all government requirements. Make sure you buy a carseat that fits your budget, and your infant.
A small infant may fit best in an infant carseat. These are the carseats with handles you can carry. Some come with a stroller and some do not. There are mixed opinions on where the handle should be during travel (up or down) so make sure you read the instructions on your personal infant carseat to make sure your baby is riding as safely as possible.
Make sure the carseat you buy has a good return policy. You may find you get it home and it doesn’t fit in your car, or you don’t like it, or even worse, your baby doesn’t like it. (It happened to us, and we had lost the receipt, turned into Grandma’s carseat) In the event you don’t want the carseat you want to make sure you can return it for another model.
Using Your New Infant Carseat
Car models 2000 and above come equipped with the LATCH system. It is just as safe to use your car’s seatbelts as it is to use the LATCH system. LATCH was basically meant to be quicker and easier. (I have not necessarily found that to be the case in some vehicles).
Do NOT use both the latch system and the seat belt. Safety tests have not been done using both, and some incidental evidence shows it could even be dangerous.
Make sure your infant carseat is at a maximum of 45 degree angle. Most car seats now have a bubble to show you if you are within the correct angle.
Your infant should always ride in the backseat, rear facing until they are BOTH 1 year old AND 20 pounds.
Once you have your carseat installed have it checked by a certified technician. These checks are free and can usually be found at hospitals and sometimes car dealerships. Even if you do your best, studies show 80% of carseats are installed incorrectly, so have it checked.
Make sure the connector is even with your baby’s armpits, across the chest. Make sure it is not around the neck or stomach, which could cause severe trauma or death during an accident.
Buying and Installing the carseat for a new infant can be one of the most stressful things you do before you bring your baby home. It can be done, and once checked by a certified technician you can rest assured your carseat is installed properly and your infant will be safe and sound.
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