Car Seat Newborn
infant car seat uk car seats are designed to be a snug and secure fit for babies. They also provide convenience because they are typically a "click-in and -snap" model.
The chest clip should be positioned between your baby's armpits. If the manufacturer of the seat allows the use of a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to fill in any gap between your baby's crotch strap and their bottom, to prevent slouching.
Safety Seat Labels
When you are shopping for a car seat newborn or other baby items make sure you be sure to read the labels carefully. Those labels can give you a good idea of how to use the product safely, and how to maintain it properly. They can aid in identifying counterfeit or non-compliant products.
For example, if you observe that the price of a child's safety seat is marked down substantially from the original price, be wary. That lower price could mean that the car seat has been tampered with, isn't in compliance with U.S. standards, or was made for a market outside of the U.S. In those cases the lower cost could make the seat less safe and cause serious injuries to your child in the event of a crash.
Genuine car seats have specific requirements for labeling which must be met to pass inspections and to be legally sold in the United States. The label must be white and have red and black letters to show that the seat complies with federal regulations. It should also include a label on the seat's back that includes the model number serial numbers, the date of manufacture and the instructions for use. A valid car seat should also include a manual and a registration card to verify that the seat was purchased from a licensed dealer.
Another important piece of information on the label of a car seats is the child height and weight limits. These limits will let you know if a seat is suitable for your child. For instance, if your child is short and weighs less than 22 pounds, then you'll require a rear-facing car seat.
Some seats, especially convertible seats, will have an indication on the label of how to recline the seat in the correct way. It could be a line that aligns your seat with the floor or a ball in an exact slot. This is vital, as improperly reclining a seat could put your child at risk for injuries in the event of a crash.
Most manufacturers place the warning label centered on the front of the booster seat cushion. This is the most preferred position because it is easily accessible to the child while sitting in the booster seat. It is also easy to read and will not be obscured by clothing or other objects that might obscure the message.
Harness Straps
If your child is in a stroller, car seat or another type of vehicle that is used for transport, you must ensure that the harness straps are snug and properly placed. This is particularly important for newborns, who can easily fall out of a loose harness or be ejected from the seat in an accident.
The 5-point harness is designed to connect five different points on your child's body (shoulders hips, thighs and between the crotch) to distribute evenly any force that is generated by a crash. The straps should be snug but not be uncomfortable. If you are unsure about the fit, you can use the "Pinch Test". Utilize your fingers and thumbs to press the strap against the shoulders of your child. If the strap is too tight, causing discomfort it's tight and needs to be loosened.
Many parents think their baby's harness is too tight. But, this could be more risky than straps that are loose. A loose strap can move with the body of your child during an accident, causing compression on their spine and potentially leading to injury or death.
If your child is a forward-facing infant the harness straps must be placed comfortably above or below the shoulders. A strap that is positioned below the shoulder could cause the child's body to be pushed forward in a crash. This could result in them being thrown out of the car seat, or into the windshield. This could lead them to hit the shoulder restraint with their head, causing serious injuries or even death.
If your child's chest clip is higher than the armpit, it's a good idea to place a couple of blankets that are tightly rolled or washcloths alongside the baby for head and neck support. This will prevent them from squirming their way down the back of the seat, and possibly getting their neck caught on the chest clip and tangling themselves in an accident.
Chest Clip
One of the most misunderstood car seat features is the chest clip. Many parents are conditioned to believe that it holds the child in the car seat and even when properly placed, it could have some spooky myths about it (low chest clips that puncture stomachs, for instance).
The chest clip is not sufficient to protect your child in a crash. This is the role of the crotch buckle, which is why it's crucial to always buckle the harness at the crotch, not on the chest. If the chest clip is too low, it may cause the harness straps to slide off of the shoulders in a crash and potentially result in ejection from the seat. It is recommended that the chest clip be placed at armpit height, as the majority of car seat guidelines recommend.
Chest clips are designed as a pre-crash positioning device to help keep the straps of the harness on the child's shoulder and in line with their arms. It is not uncommon for a chest clip to break in the event of a crash due to the force applied. However, this will not affect the safety of your child so long as they're wearing the crotch buckles.
If your child wears a jacket or blanket make sure that you take it off before you buckle the harness. This could prevent the straps from fitting properly on shoulders. In the same way, heavy outer clothing should be kept at home when you take your toddler or infant car seats on sale to a ride in their car seat.
A chest clip that's not positioned correctly may also hinder your child's ability to reach the seat belt buckle. This could be risky in the event that they try to escape their seat while driving, and could also lead to them getting themselves unbuckled during a sudden stop or a crash. An easy solution is to put a Buckle Guard on your car seat. This stops your child from pressing the release button, and then opening their chest clip.
Crotch Buckle
The crotch strap is located 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 it is possible and positioned between their legs.
Newborns have floppy little legs that often get put into the part of the harness that is in the crotch. They do not sit in the proper position. This can cause their airway be restricted, causing them to choke during a crash or become unresponsive.
The cover for the buckle can be created using simple crochet patterns to keep the legs in place. The pattern should be straightforward and should not have loose threads that are affixed to the buckle. The ideal cover should be made with a soft, stretchy yarn.
For more information on your model and how it should be secured you might want to consult an expert on child safety. Even if you follow the directions that come with your car seat, there is still a lot to be learned.
Car seats for infants are specially made for newborns and small infants. They attach to the base of the vehicle and can be removed with a single click. They are equipped with several characteristics that make them safer than convertible car seats that are larger, including a built-in recline indicator to ensure the baby is sitting upright.
Many parents opt for infant car seat newborn insert seats because of their convenience and portability particularly when travelling. It is important to remember that these seats are only safe for use until your child is at the maximum weight and height limit of the seat.
When your child is no longer in their infant car seat it is time change to a convertible seat. These seats have excellent safety features, including side impact protection and a five-point harnesses. However, they are more difficult to move between vehicles and take up more space than infant car seats.
To make a crotch buckle cover for your convertible car seat the hook is large and a size 5 crochet thread is needed. The cover should fit over the buckle of the car seat, leaving some inches of fabric to drape over the edge. Start with a standing sc in the initial chain from the bottom of the strap. Work in sc all around the strap including the chains of the previous row. Repeat the process at the opposite end. Secure the strap and weave in ends.