How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly
A baby seat (also called a child safety seat, infant car seat or car seat) is an approved, crash-tested seat that shields children from harm or death during vehicle collisions.
Infant seats should be facing rearwards until the child reaches the maximum weight or height that is permitted by its manufacturer.
Easy Installation
Even the best car seats can be dangerous if not installed correctly. That's why ease of installation is one of the most important aspects to look for in the car seat. It's worth your time to understand the correct ways to install your particular vehicle, and to practice installing the seat in a safe empty vehicle before your baby is born (or if you have already a toddler).
The first thing you need to do is read the instruction manual for your car seat. You can skip the table of contents and proceed to the index. Look for the "child safety seats" section. The exact guidelines will differ based on the brand and model of your vehicle, however most have a specific place in the back of the vehicle for child seats.
Make sure your vehicle has a LATCH system, and which lower anchors are available. Different types of seats require different anchors. The most effective infant car seats include a system that is user-friendly with clear instructions and an indicator that changes color to let you know when the lower anchors are connected properly. A lot of models click when locked properly and is a great method to verify the safety of the seat.
If you're looking to increase your security, choose a seat that has an easy to install base and a load leg. This will keep the seat from becoming a projectile in a crash, and will also stop it from tipping over during braking. Also, you should think about the weight of the seat and base together. If you're planning to carry the seat around or take it to Grandma's car often, a lightweight style is important; you don't want to be lugging around a heavy, bulky package.
If you're unsure the best way to install your child's safety seat, you might find it helpful to ask for help from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to teach parents and caregivers on how to install car seats in a safe manner, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database of inspection stations.
User-Friendliness
A baby seat is known as a car seat or infant safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and cradle the smallest of children. They usually have an adjustable base that is buckled in the vehicle and snaps in and out to be used as a carry-on or convertible seat. A lot of them are light, and some come with stroller attachments that allow parents or caregivers to move the asleep child without disturbing them.
Car seats are designed to comply with government standards based on the weight, height and age of the child, with the intention of ensuring safety in the event of a crash. These standards, referred to as federal motor vehicle safety regulation (FMVSR) serve as guidelines for manufacturers when they are designing and testing their products. A car seat must pass these tests before it is sold in the United States.
A lot of infant seats, particularly those that are priced lower, have a harness and headrest made of plastic that is designed to absorb a portion of the force generated by an accident by crumpling and dispersing the force. The higher-end models may use a softer and more flexible foam that can better protect the child from the impact. EPS foam is often used in safety equipment that must be light and resistant to impact, such as helmets and car seats.
A good car seat should come with five-point harnesses that attach at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. It should also have an over-tether that keeps the child safe in the event of a frontal collision. The straps should be equipped with an instrument that allows them to be adjusted in tension and loosen. This can be done by pressing a button or pulling a lever that is located between the child's knees.
Make sure the car seat will fit in the other vehicles of your family If you intend to use it often. There are some manufacturers who have online guides that explain how their seats can fit in different family vehicles. The use of Isofix connectors that are built into the seat and connect to the vehicle's anchor points with a single click, can simplify the process.
Safety
A car seat is one of the most effective ways to protect children. Parents do their best to shield their children from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. A child restraint system can reduce the risk of injuries by over 70% compared to unrestrained adults, but only if utilized correctly. However, according to a few Canadian and American studies, 73 percent car seats are incorrectly used.
Selecting a car seat that has 5-point harness is one of the best ways to help ensure your baby or toddler will be safe in the event of a crash. The 5-point harness helps to spread the impact force over a larger part of the body. This reduces the risk of injuries. The harness also holds the car seat in place, ensuring it won't move too much during a collision and increase the risk of injury.
Additionally, the best car seats for infants come with an adequately cushioned seat that will protect your child and provide plenty of head support. Some have special energy-absorbing foam and other features to protect your child's chest and head in case of a side-impact accident.
When shopping for a car seat, avoid buying or borrowing one from garage sales, flea markets and second-hand stores since you don't know the history of the car seat or if it's been involved in an accident. Also, be wary of using a seat that's more than six years old.
Before installing top rated infant car seats , make sure the latch is tight and that the straps are secure. Don't let your child wear bulky clothes when they are in the seat. The fabric can compress in an accident, leaving the straps on the harness loose. This increases the risk of injury for your child.
You'll need a booster or convertible seat when your child has outgrown the weight and height limit of an infant seat. The manual for the seat will provide recommended weights and ages.
Reliability
A baby car seat, or child safety seat, is a crash-tested device that holds babies and children when they travel in vehicles. The seat holds the child in place using a harness, and in certain models, it cradles them and moves with them during the event of a crash, reducing stress on their delicate necks and spinal cords. It is crucial that the child seat fits correctly into your vehicle, and that it is used correctly every time you drive.
A system that identifies and communicates the unintended adverse effects of medical or consumer products - such as car seats - could prove beneficial for parents. Similar to the phase IV trials which study the unknown side effects of pharmaceuticals after they have been marketed this kind of system could gather information from doctors who diagnose car seat-related injuries and encourage people to report issues to Transport Canada (9).
If you're using the LATCH (lower attachment) or the vehicle belt to install your child's car seat, be sure to check the manual to ensure that it's done correctly. A lot of car seats come with instructions to help you fit the seat into your vehicle. Many manufacturers also offer online guides. If you're sharing your car or travel with other family members frequently, consider buying a child's seat that has Isofix connectors built in to make installation easier.
If you own an older car seat or a second-hand one, ensure that it hasn't been involved in any recent serious or moderate crashes. Verify that it hasn't been recalled or damaged, and go through the instruction manual thoroughly to ensure that your child can sit straight and bend their knees comfortably over the front edge of the seat, and that they are able to safely wear a lap belt that is low across their hips, and a shoulder belts across their chest and mid-chest (9).
Some children are suffering from physical or behavioral issues that require a specially-designed car seat. It is safest to transport them in a seat specially designed for them and that is installed correctly. For more information, call your pediatrician or local public health program.