Best Infant Car Seat:Convertible or Baby System
Car Seat Safety for New Babies; Choosing the Correct Type
Oct 30, 2009
Car seats can be expensive, so picking the right car seat also impacts the family budget. But finding the right car seat isn't easy; every big box store has rows of car seats, all looking pretty much the same. How to choose?
Comparing Car Seats
There are two kinds of seat commonly used for infants: infant seats that can often be used in conjunction with a “system” that includes a stroller, and convertible car seats that can be used for both infants and older children. Infant only car seats sit on a base that is belted or attached to the latch system that locks into bars built into the car’s seat ( latch is mandatory for all cars and car seats made since 2002); the car seat sits cradled on top of the base and locks into it.
Convertible car seats are attached to the car by a seat belt or a latch system and not easily portable, although they can be moved from car to car. Both types of systems are crash tested and proven safe in protecting children in the US.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Infant Car Seats and Convertible Car Seats
Infant seats have the following advantages:
- They’re removable, so sleeping babies can be taking them out of the car without waking them
- They can often be placed in stroller that’s compatible, generally made by the same manufacturer.
One “advantage” of infant seats really isn’t an advantage at all; despite the fact that many people do it, infant seats should not be used in shopping carts resting on the bars. It’s much safer to put the seat down into the basket.The advantage of convertible seats is that they may last until a child graduates to a booster, reducing the cost of multiple car seats.
The disadvantage of infant seats is that they are usable only until a child reaches a certain weight, usually around twenty pounds. After that, a convertible seat needs to be purchased.The disadvantage to convertible seats is that they’re not as portable, and a small baby may not fit comfortably, despite what the age limits on the seat say.
Installing the Car Seat Properly
According to a clinical trial conducted by the University of Chicago entitled “The Effectiveness of Car Seat Checks at Routine Pediatric Visits”, multiple studies have found approximately 85% of car seats are misused”. Installing the car seat properly is vital to keeping a baby safe. The cardinal rules of installing a car seat safely are as follows.
The seat must be installed rear facing; in other words, the baby is facing the back of the seat. The longer children stays rear facing, the safer they are. The “one year and twenty pounds” rule to turn front facing is a minimum, not a rule, according to the American Association of Pediatricians, who state that children “…should remain rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds”. Keep them rear facing as long as possible!
Car seats of either type cannot be placed in the front seat; they must be in the back seat, preferably the middle of the back seat. Infant seats cannot be used after the baby reaches the maximum height or weight on the seat; the seat may not perform safely in an accident.
All car seats expire and should not be used after their expiration date; this is generally between 6-8 years, depending on the manufacturer. The seat may have deteriorated after this time and may not hold together safely in an accident.
The seat installation needs to be rock solid; there should be less than one inch of movement, either side to side or back to front, when the car seat is installed properly. Harness straps need to be tight to protect a baby in an accident; many parents don’t tighten the straps enough or place them too low.
Car Seat Safety Saves Lives
Babies who are properly restrained in car seats are 75 percent more likely to survive a serious accident. Using the car seat correctly and consistently is key; seats can be checked to make sure they’re properly installed at car seat clinics by certified technicians, or at many police or fire stations.
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