Having a baby is a life-changing experience. Between seeing their face for the first time and getting to hold them close, new parents can go through a rollercoaster of emotions. However, one thing that needs to be considered for babies at every stage of their development is safety. When traveling, newborn car seat safety is something that can’t be overlooked.
Located in Chatham, New Jersey, and serving families throughout Morristown, Summit, Berkeley Heights, Hoboken, and beyond, the team at Touchpoint Pediatrics wants you to know what you can do to keep your little one protected. Here, we provide advice for keeping newborns safe and secure when out and about.
Why Is Car Seat Safety for Newborns So Important?
At every stage of our children’s lives, we want to keep them safe and secure, but newborns require extra special care. While many first-time parents may get excited about arranging a nursery, how you get your baby to and from your home should be considered, as well.
Choosing the right car seat for your child’s size can be the difference between keeping them protected in case of an accident or causing injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using a car seat properly can help reduce the risk of injury, hospitalization, or death by more than 70% when compared with seat belts or no restraints. Not using a proper car seat and holding your newborn in a moving car puts them at great risk in the event of an accident.
Not only is car seat safety essential for preventing harm to your bundle of joy but it is the law. In the United States, newborns must be properly restrained in a car seat, though the specifics of the law may depend on your state.
Newborn Car Seat Safety Considerations
First-time parents may not realize just how much thought needs to go into choosing a car seat and getting your little one snug and secure. While there are many options available, there are certain things you should make sure to consider, including:
Size
Not all babies are the same shape and size, so the first thing to determine is which car seats are made specifically for newborns. The car seat chosen for your loved one must be designed for their current weight and height.
Installation
Most of today’s vehicles and car seats are designed to work together, but you must take time to learn how to install the car seat before your baby enters the world. When you get into your vehicle to head home after being discharged from the hospital, the last thing you want is to have to figure out how to install it properly.
Adjustability
Because children are constantly growing, car seats come with a variety of adjustable features. Parents should take time to see how their baby fits. You want them to be snug but don’t want the straps to be too tight or they could be uncomfortable, and, at such a young age, they won’t be able to let you know. Most car seats also work forward-facing and rear-facing, with rear-facing being the correct placement for newborns. Lastly, car seats typically have different recline positions, so look at the manual to see which position is right for your little one.
Expiration Dates
Believe it or not, car seats expire. Because the materials that they are made from wear over time and because the heat and the cold impact the strength of these materials, eventually car seats begin to break down. Many manufacturers have set an expiration date of six years. It’s important to find your car seat’s expiration date, especially if you’ve chosen a used car seat because it may look in good condition but be close to expiring. Should you get into a moderate or severe accident, you’ll need to replace your car seat immediately, and some manufacturers suggest you replace your car seat even after a minor accident.
Meet with Our Team Today
At Touchpoint Pediatrics, we take newborn car seat safety seriously because we have a team full of board-certified pediatricians and support staff, who want what’s best for you and your children. We specialize in offering personalized care, providing each of our patients with dedication and compassion. Because we aren’t tied to a large healthcare group, you can trust us to address every concern you have, and we have a wide variety of resources for parents to look through.
We have physicians available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, to help answer any questions that come up, and our Touchpoint pediatricians will even stay late to make sure each patient is taken care of. If you are ready to give your children the care they deserve or have any questions regarding our services, contact us today.
