Car Seat Newborn
Infant car seats are designed to fit snugly and securely for infants. They also offer convenience as they are typically designed to be a "click-in and -snap" model.
Make sure that the chest clip is centered at your baby's armpits. If the seat manufacturer permits you to use a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to cover any gaps between your baby's bottom and the crotch straps to prevent them from sliding.
Safety Seat Labels
When purchasing a car seat newborn or other baby products, be sure to look over the labels carefully. These labels can provide useful information on how to use and take care of the product. They can also help you identify counterfeit or non-compliant products.
Be wary if, for instance, you notice a marked-down price on a child safety car seat. That lower price could indicate that the car seat has been altered with, isn't compliant with U.S. standards, or was created for an overseas market. In these instances the lower cost could make the seat less safe and cause serious injury to your child in a crash.
Legitimate car seats have very specific requirements for labeling which must be met to pass inspections and be legally sold in the United States. The label must be white and have red and black lettering to indicate that the seat is in compliance with federal regulations. It must also include an indication on the seat's back that contains the model number serial numbers, date of manufacture, and instructions to use it. A valid car seat includes a manual and registration card that verify that the seat was purchased from a licensed dealer.
The label of a car seat also includes information on the maximum weight and height of a child. These limits tell you whether the car seat is suitable for your child. If your child is small and weighs under 22 pounds, you'll require a rear-facing seat.
Certain seats, especially convertible seats, come with an indication on them that will tell you how to recline it correctly. This could include a line to level the seat to the ground or a ball that has to be in a certain slot. This is important as the seat that isn't properly reclining could result in injuries to your child in the case of an accident.
The warning label is typically located on the edges of the cushion. This is the most preferred position because it is easily visible to the child when sitting in the booster seat. It is easy to read, and won't be hidden by clothing or other objects.
Harness Straps
Whether your child is in a stroller, car seat or any other type of carrier it is important to make sure their harness straps are snug and properly placed. This is particularly important in the case of infants, who are prone to slip out of the harness and be removed from the seat in the event of a crash.
The 5-point harness is designed in a way it is able to connect five different points on your child's body. These include the shoulders, hips, and between the crotch. This allows you to disperse any force of a crash equally. The straps should fit comfortably but not be uncomfortable. If you're not sure about the fit, try the "Pinch Test". With your thumb and finger, pinch the strap at the shoulder of your child. If the strap is tight enough that it causes discomfort, it is time to loosen it.
Many parents feel that their child's harness is too tight. However, this could be more dangerous than straps that are loose. A strap that is loose can move along with your child's torso in a crash and compress their spinal column, causing injury or even death.
If your child is facing forward, the harness straps must be placed snugly above or below the shoulders. A strap placed below the shoulder can cause the child's body to move forward too much in 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, causing serious injuries or even death.
If your child's chest clip is at or above the armpit it's a good idea place tightly rolled blankets or washcloths next to the infant for head and neck support. This will stop them from squirming down the back seat and catching their neck in the chest clip which could cause strangulation if the car crashes.
Chest Clip
The chest clip is among the most misunderstood functions on car seats. Many parents believe that the chest clip holds the child in the seat. Even if it's correctly positioned, it can still be a subject of myths associated with it (lower chest clips can puncture the stomach, for example).
The chest clip isn't sufficient to protect your child during an accident. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle that's why it's vital to ensure that the harness is buckled at the crotch, not the chest. If the chest clip is set too low, the straps could slide off the shoulders in a crash. This could lead to being thrown from the car seat. It is recommended that the chest clip is set at an armpit level, as the majority of car seat guidelines recommend.
forward facing infant car seat are made to be an aid to keep the harness straps on the child's shoulder and aligned with their arms. It is not common for a chest clip to break during a crash because of the force that is applied. However, this will not affect the safety of your child so long as they wear crotch buckles.
If your child wears blankets or jackets, make sure to remove it first before you tie the harness. This could make it difficult for the straps to fit properly on shoulders. Similarly, bulky outer clothing should be left at home if you are taking your toddler or infant for a ride in the car seat.
A chest clip that is not correctly positioned could hinder your child's ability reach the seat belt buckle. This could be risky, especially when your child is trying to escape from their seat while driving. It could also cause them to unbuckle themselves in a stop or crash. Installing a Buckle Guard to your car seat will stop your child from pressing the release button and then opening their chest clips.
Crotch Buckle
The crotch strap is located either under the baby's shoulders in a rear-facing car seat, or above them (if in a forward-facing car seat). It should be placed as close as is possible to the baby's body and between their legs.
Newborns have floppy legs that are often stuck in the straps' crotch and don't sit in the correct position. This can restrict their airway and cause them to choke or even become unresponsive during a crash.
The buckle cover can be made using a simple crochet pattern to hold the legs in place. The pattern should not have loose threads around the buckle. The ideal cover should also be made with a soft, stretchy yarn.
For more information about your car seat and how it should be secured you might want to consult an expert in child safety. Even if you follow the directions that come with your car seat, there is still more to learn.
Infant car seats are designed specifically for newborns and infants who are small. They attach to the base of the vehicle and can be removed with just a single click. They are equipped with several features that make them safer than the larger convertible car seats with a built-in recline indicator to make sure the baby is sitting upright.
Many parents prefer car seats for infants because they are comfortable and portable, particularly when traveling. It is important to keep in mind that these seats are safe to use until your child reaches the maximum weight and height limits of the seat.
If your baby grows out of the infant car seat, they need to be able to switch to a convertible car seat. These seats come with excellent safety features, such as side impact protection and five-point harnesses. However, they're more difficult to move between vehicles and take up more space than infant car seats.
A large hook and size five crochet thread are required to make a crotch-buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should sit over the buckle on the car seat, and have some inches of fabric to drape over the edge. Begin by making a standing sc in the first chain from the end of the strap. Work in scs all over the strap including the chains of the previous row. Repeat the process at the other end. Fasten off and weave ends.