國家地區媽媽會 今日: 0|主題: 20234

• Infant Car Seats (birth - 20 or 22 lb) Installed in a rear facing position, these seats are designed to protect an infant's head, neck and back in the event of a collision. Equipped with an adjustable handle, infant car seats may also be used as a carrier - a convenient way to transport baby outside of the car. Note that premature or very small birth weight babies who can have trouble breathing in a seated position may require a certified infant car bed for use in a vehicle.
  

• Convertible Car Seats These seats can be converted from a rear facing position for babies from birth to 20 or 22 lb to a forward facing position for children up to 40 lb (refer to manufacturer's weight and height limits).
  

When used in the forward facing position, convertible car seats are secured in the vehicle with a seat belt and tether strap. The tether strap, anchored by a bolt to the rear shelf of a car or floor of a van, is most important in preventing the top of the car seat from moving forward during a collision or sudden stop. In Canada, all forward facing convertible car seats must be anchored with a tether strap.

Convertible car seats are available in four harness styles:

• 3 Point Harness Secures the child at the shoulders and between the legs.
• 5 Point Harness Secures the child at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. Shoulder straps are clipped separately into a common buckle located between the legs.
• T-Shaped Shield A padded shield attached to the shoulder straps is placed over the child's head and buckled into the seat at the crotch area.
• Arm Bar Shield A padded bar swings over the child's head, with shoulder harnesses and buckle attached.

Is one style of convertible car seat safer than the other?
If installed and used according to manufacturer's instructions, CMVSS crash tests show that all styles will protect your child in the event of a collision or sudden stop*. Ensure that the car seat you are using has the appropriate CMVSS labelling. When shopping for a car seat, be sure that it is a good fit for your child. If selecting a T-Shaped Shield or Arm Bar Shield, the shield should come no more than chest high. These styles are generally not recommended for small infants as the shields may be at neck or face level and can cause injury in the event of a collision or sudden stop.
* "Keep Them Safe - A Guide to Children's Car Seats" Transport Canada

• Booster Seats A booster seat may be used for children weighing between 40 - 60 LB (typically reached by age 4 - 4 1/2) or for children who are too tall for a convertible car seat yet have not exceeded the manufacturers weight and height limits. A booster seat helps raise a child so the shoulder and lap belts in a car fit properly over the child's body (seat belts should lay low over the hips and flat across the chest without rubbing the chin - never over a child's stomach).
  

Booster seats are available in no back or high back models. If your child's head extends beyond the height of the car's seat back when in a no back booster, a high backed model may be required. If your child's head extends beyond the height of the car's seat back without a booster, your child may be secured with the seat belts in your car. Alternatively, a high backed booster may be used as long as your child's head does not extend beyond the height of the booster. In all cases, always ensure that your child has adequate protection to the neck area, whether placed in a booster or using the seat belts in your car, and that the seat belt fits properly over your child.

How will I know when my child has outgrown his convertible car seat?

If your child is above the height and weight limits as detailed by the manufacturer, then your child has outgrown the car seat. If your child has not yet reached these limits but the mid point of his or her ears are above the top of the car seat, and his or her shoulders are above the shoulder harness strap slots, you will need to move your child into a booster seat.

• Appropriate Is the seat you are purchasing appropriate for your child's height, weight and muscular development? Given your routines, preferences and pocket book, does the car seat meet you and your child's needs? Does the seat allow additional space as your child grows?
• Comfort Is the car seat or carrier well padded and comfortable looking? How many recline positions does the car seat have? Convertible car seats have several recline positions to choose from and each will vary with how easy the car seat can be reclined when installed. Before you make a final purchase, be sure to install the car seat in your vehicle to test each recline position.
• Durability How well does the handle on an infant car seat move up and down? How sturdy is the unit?
• Aesthetics Brand name upgrades on a basic model will cost a premium but do not add to the safety or durability of the unit.
• Cleanability What color is the fabric? A darker or highly patterned fabric will hide stains more readily than a light colored fabric. Can the fabric be removed for cleaning? Read the manufacturer's care/cleaning instructions.

• Weight - How heavy is the actual infant car seat? The seat may seem reasonably light weight but put an 18 LB baby inside and that's another story.
• Harnesses - Are they adjustable to accommodate a growing baby? Is there more than one slot position to accommodate a taller baby?
• Ease of Use - How easily does the handle move up and down? How easily does the harness buckle and release?

• Ease of Use - How easy is it to buckle your child into the car seat? How easy is it to tighten the shoulder harnesses? Talk to other moms and dads and ask their opinion on what style they prefer, which style is easier to buckle a child into, the pros and cons of the different styles. For example, while the arm bar shield provides a surface for your child to play on during long car rides, it can be cumbersome to position your child in this style if he or she is tall as the arm bar must go over the child's head. And while the T-Shaped Shield makes buckling your child in a fairly quick task, will there be enough room between your child and the shield when a snow suit is worn.

My child is only 5 months old and already weighs 20 lb. Can I move her into a forward facing convertible car seat?
Although your child has reached the weight limit of the car seat as set by the manufacturer, the physical development of your child at this age is more important in determining whether or not she is ready to be placed in the forward facing position. The neck muscles of small infants are not yet strong enough to support the weight of their head. When placed in a forward facing car seat, adequate strength in the neck, back and shoulder areas is necessary as these are the areas where impact will be absorbed in the event of a collision or sudden stop. Before being placed in a forward facing car seat, infants should be able to pull themselves up to a standing position, or be able to sit up unaided for extended periods of time without falling over. If you child is unable to do this but has reached the weight limitations for rear facing installation, a car seat with a higher weight limit will be necessary to ensure safety when travelling in the car.