How Long To Use Infant Car Seat

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Equally parents, we can't stop talking virtually our worst fears, similar SIDS.

The harsh reality is that machine crashes are the #1 cause of expiry in children.

infant car seat — Credit: Consumer Reports

In 2018 alone, over 97,000 kids (aged 12 or younger) were injured in traffic crashes, and 636 of them tragically died.

Even using the word "death" in the aforementioned sentence equally "kids" makes my peel crawl.

But the only thing worse than talking about information technology is not talking about it.

Then, today, I'll do the latter – I'll talk about it.

I'll focus on the things you tin can practice and the earth-shaking two-hour car seat rule.

How long can a baby stay in the car seat on long journeys?

Let's start here – at the newborn stage, rear-facing auto seats are mandatory.

Full stop, end of that part of the safe story, no buts, no what-ifs.

Let'due south movement on.

Below are some of the rubber points that a parent needs to consider when driving around a newborn.

Follow the two-hour car seat rule

Auto seat companies recommend that a baby only sits for two hours in a auto seat within a 24h timeframe – parents will know this as the 2-60 minutes rule.

If this is the showtime time you hear near it, don't fret, we'll go over everything you need to know about it.

What age does the ii hour car seat rule end?

The 2-hour car seat rule age is not specific, but it should be followed until the babe is at a phase to sit upright and control their caput and neck movement.

When can a infant be in a car seat longer than two hours?

Sitting upright and having consummate control of the head and neck is a sign that your baby can be in a car seat for longer than ii hours. These guidelines are updated for 2020 and 2021.

Bottom line – if your question is, "At what age does the 2-hr car seat dominion terminate?" The answer to that is more than most the infant'south ability to sit correctly than historic period.

That especially goes if you have a prematurely built-in baby. In this scenario, yous might think about choosing a car seat that meets the needs of a preemie (y'all can see my superlative picks of automobile seats for preemies here).

Buy the appropriate car seat

There are unlike types of car seats in the market. They are designed to be age, weight, and height specific.

Once more, a suitable car seat is rear-facing. Read more on my choices of the best car seats for small cars hither.

How long should I go along my kid in a rear-facing machine seat?

For at to the lowest degree two years, according to the AAP guidelines.

Choosing the auto seat

Make sure that your brand of choice meets or exceeds the standards set by the CDC (you tin encounter an outline here).

If y'all're going with a used car seat, inquire the previous owner how long it has been used earlier it got to you.

Also, cheque the seat's expiration date as recommended past the manufacturer, and when in doubt, call them to confirm if it is ideal for your newborn or not — child seats with missing parts or those with signs of wear and tear are to be avoided.

Typically, you'll need the registration menu that comes with the product and provide accurate data to make sure you're notified in example of a recall. Don't let nonsense like sharing your information atomic number 82 you into giving them false info, similar an e-mail or telephone number.

The infant gear companies will not runway you.

And if they do, they won't learn much almost you lot from the daily trips to Carter's.

Relax.

Moving on.

Installation and positioning

A car seat must be installed correctly (duh).

The user manual that accompanies the seats outlines the installation steps.

Other than the guidebook, parents and caregivers are expected to attend a condom class when applied demonstrations on setting up a auto seat are provided.

Consult an adept

An expert can be consulted once the automobile seat has been installed to certify that it is in the right position. The ideal spot to place an infant-but car seat is the middle of the back seat.

This rule tin be contradistinct if the car seat does not fit in this spot securely. The child restraint seat should, however, remain in the back seat. Not more than an inch of movement should be allowed in whatever management.

Putting your baby in the car seat

Once the seat has been installed correctly, the child tin can be put in. Baby seats come with a five-indicate harness that must be tightly strapped over the baby.

The straps and clips must lie flat on the babe for maximum safety. Also, the babe should be in comfortable clothes that allow the straps in the crotch area to snap into place correctly.

Finally, the infant should exist covered over the secured straps and non under.

Their caput and cervix

The baby car seat in utilise must be reclined at an angle set past the manufacturers to keep the infant's head from flopping forward. Information technology'southward because newborns have no control of their head and neck movements.

The baby should ever ride in a semi-reclined position to ensure that their airways are clear. Ever use the bending indicators and adjusters to make sure that the baby is in the correct place.

How to Calm Down a Crying Infant in a Car Seat

Babies with acid reflux are peculiarly sensitive to the position and their parents are sensitive to cleaning the vomit. Alas, sometimes the accidents are just unavoidable.

In those situations, a good seat protector will exist a life-saver (you can see my meridian car-seat protectors picks here).

Reclined vs. directly

The semi-reclined position, although recommended, is not ideal for a newborn babe.

Restricted airflow to the baby's lungs may cause respiratory problems, peculiarly when they autumn asleep while in the babe automobile seat. The baby'south developing spine volition also strain, and if the auto seat is used regularly and for long hours, it may lead to severe harm.

Avoid long journeys

Parents and caregivers are advised to avoid planning long trips until their baby is ready to withstand traveling for long hours. As well long-altitude travel, traffic in your metropolis must exist factored in to keep away from being stuck in i with a newborn baby in the car.

When long journeys are unavoidable, breaks should be scheduled between hours to give the baby child a chance to relax before proceeding with the trip.

These are all common-sense tips, but y'all'd be surprised by how many parents shrug things like this off.

Bottom line

Prevarication flat car seats are an culling solution to driving around with a newborn. If y'all have a motorcar that can fit this type of infant car seat, getting it is a no-brainer.

Finally, retrieve that infant car seats should only be used in the vehicle.

For more curious facts nigh car seats, discover out if your car seats floats and what to do with an old car seat when you're done with it.