With a newborn comes many things, but probably one of the most important things is the infant car seat. This is something that protects a baby in any vehicle, and you won't be able to leave the hospital with your child if you don't have one installed in your car. These are not hard to find, and don't have to be overly expensive, but it is important to be sure to get the right one. Having the wrong seat can mean injury or even death in an accident. Even minor accidents can prove to be fatal with the wrong seat.
An infant car seat is not the same as the ones older children use. These often have a harness that carefully but firmly holds the child in place. Some are even designed for the best head protection. If you are getting an infant car seat, you might want to be sure you buy the best one you can find. Don't buy used, even if the seat seems to be in great condition. There could be hidden flaws you can't see that might come back to haunt you.
The infant car seat I had for my daughter is one that I see many using. The seat had a base that was installed in the car with the seatbelts, but had a top part that is detachable. This means you could carry your sleeping baby in and out of the house and get them in and out of the infant car seat without jarring them too much or waking them up. Anyone with a new baby will tell you that this alone is a huge blessing. As long as the detachable part of the seat hooks in securely and firmly, these are great for both convenience and safety.
One thing people don't think about when it comes to an infant car seat is identification. If you are in an accident, you have to know that doctors know what to do with your child. You should find a way to attach information to the infant car seat. Some companies make stickers for this purpose, but you can do it any way you can. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and any special medical considerations should all be added to the seat. If you are unconscious and unable to speak up, the paramedics can find this information on the seat and your child can be treated at once, or family can be called to come care for them while you are unable. It's not something anyone wants to think about, but like writing a will, it's the best choice to make.
|
