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Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats are a great way to transport your newborn. They offer safety and versatility for your baby. With a variety of brands and styles available, you are sure to find one to fit your needs and desires.
An infant car seat will generally accommodate your child from 5 pounds to about 20 pounds or 27 inches. They are designed to be rear facing, which is recommended for this age. They generally come with the option of a 3 or 5 point harness restraint system.
There are many advantages to using an infant car seat instead of a convertible car seat for your newborn. The infant seats are especially designed for newborns and infants. Your infant will ride in a more reclined position, which is better for newborns with little body control. It also allows your little angel to fall asleep more easily! I also recommend purchasing a head rest insert that will cradle your newborn's head. This will prevent his head from flopping to one side.
Another advantage of infant car seats is the ease of transporting your child in and out of your vehicle. The infant seat has a base which is attached to your vehicle. The carrier part of the seat snaps tightly into this base. Because the carrier easily snaps onto and off of the base, getting your child in and out of the vehicle is quick and easy. If your child falls asleep in the car, you can carry her into the house in the seat without waking her. If you live in a cold climate, you can easily bundle your baby into her seat, cover her with a blanket, and head to the car. You won't have to spend a long time messing with restraints outside. You can also purchase additional bases so you can leave one in each vehicle.
The carrier is also beneficial on its own when you arrive at your destination. Most carriers will snap onto many grocery carts. This makes shopping with your newborn much easier. The carrier can also snap onto many strollers. This is especially beneficial if you are making several stops. You will not have to mess with the restraints at each stop.
The infant seats will generally have a removable infant car seat cover. The advantage to this is that infant car seat covers can be washed. You will find many different colors and design patterns depending on the brand. If you plan on having more than one child, it may be wise to select a gender neutral color and design.
There are many brands that manufacture infant seats. The Graco infant car seat is a very popular choice. Graco is a very affordable brand, ranging in price from about $70 to $130, depending on the style that you select. Graco infant car seats are readily available at many retailers and online. Evenflo is another popular manufacturer of infant seats. The infant seats from Evenflo are also in the $70 to $130 range.
It will be to your advantage to do your research on infant seat manufacturers. You should read consumer safety reports and be aware of product recalls before making your purchase. It is always recommended to purchase your child's car seat new. Once a car seat has been through a car accident, it should be replaced. If you purchase a previously used car seat there is no way to tell for sure if it has been through an accident. While there are many ways to cut expenses when it comes to your baby, the car seat is one area in which you should not take chances.
An infant seat will make your life much easier in the first crazy months of your child's life. Not only will your baby ride more comfortably on her first car trips, you will have a much easier time transporting her!
Written By: Shelley Frost