All Posts tagged Infant car seat

Car Safety Tips

By 06 Jan, 2020 Your baby's health , , ,

Child Car Safety

Since most babies will spend time in the car with their parents starting shortly after birth, it’s essential to think through car safety before the baby is born. While laws vary by state, New York requires all children to be in a car seat until the age of four and in a booster type until the age of eight.

New York State’s new law requires:

  • Infants—that weigh 22 pounds or less and measure 25 inches or less in length­—should be placed in an infant car seat in the car’s back seat with the child facing the rear of the car.
  • Toddlers are to remain in rear-facing car seat until they are two years old and meet the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
  • From two to four years old, children should be in a front facing seat as long as possible (until they reach the car seat manufacturer’s highest height and weight limit).
  • Children should use a booster seat until they are eight years old, 80 pounds, and 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Seat installation is also important and should be checked by an expert. New York State offers permanent inspection stations for parents to have the safety of their car seat inspected. To find a location, visit https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/child-safety-seat-inspection-stations. There are eight stations in Erie County.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has great resources for finding and comparing car seats (https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats), however, remember that the national guidelines are different than New York State’s height and weight limits.

When considering safety accessories, there are no set laws. The following list provides a brief overview to commonly used accessories.

  • Head rests, pillows, and infant support items should be limited to the products sold with the car seat or recommended by the seat’s manufacturer. Essentially, you should not prop up your baby in the car seat with blankets or pillows.
  • Mirrors and toys can harm children if an accident occurs, so­—if needed—it’s best to choose flexible soft plastic accessories.
  • In cold weather, bulky coats and foot/hand muffs should be avoided if it alters your child’s position in the harness. Instead, opt for placing the coat or a blanket over your child and the restraint.

The main takeaway is to choose a highly rated car seat and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on height, weight, and appropriate accessories.

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Car Seat Safety Tips For New Parents

By 23 May, 2014 New Moms, Reproductive health , , , ,

ID-100225282There’s a lot to think about and learn when you’re expecting a baby, especially your first! And how you’re going to drive your baby around may be low down on your list of priorities.

But choosing and installing the right car seat is one of the most important things you’ll do as a new parent. In order to keep your baby as safe as possible, keep these tips in mind when purchasing:

  • Infants should always be placed in a rear-facing car seat until they are 20 pounds and 1 year of age.
  • Make sure that the car seat you want to buy fits properly in your vehicle. Not all car seats fit in all vehicles. Test the car seat you plan to buy ahead of time to make sure you can install it securely.
  • The belt on the car seat should be fastened at chest level and tight enough so that you cannot place more than one finger between the strap and the baby’s shoulder.
  • Never put an infant in the front seat of a car that has a passenger side air bag.
  • If using a carrier-style car seat, check the weight restrictions. Some have a maximum weight limit of 15 pounds, which many infants will outgrow prior to turning 1 year.
  • A car seat should be thrown out when it is older than five years. At this point, the materials have begun wearing down, compromising the integrity of the car seat.
  • Never purchase a car seat from a yard sale or use one that comes from someone you don’t know. Even a minor fender-bender can damage a car seat’s integrity.

When you’ve purchased the car seat, you’ll want to make sure it’s installed correctly. Unfortunately, even with the LATCH system, sometimes installation can be frustrating and confusing. Luckily, most towns have police officers on staff who have been thoroughly trained in the installation of car seats and can check to make sure yours is safely in place. Ask your doctor, your hospital of choice or your pediatrician how and where to find this information.

At Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello, we help our mothers-to-be keep their little ones safe and healthy, even before they’re born! If you’re looking for personal, complete prenatal care in Western New York, call our offices today to set up an appointment.

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