angela martinez asked:


Children should ride rear-facing in a car seat until they reach at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. Parents are tempted to turn the car seat around, before the child is old enough, because it is difficult to see the child when they are rear facing. The baby would rather be turned around also, so they can see Mom and Dad. You must resist doing this, because it is not safe. Your babies neck is just simply not strong enough to take the force that is caused by a car accident. So as hard as it is, these guidlines must be followed.

Different Rear Facing Car Seats

There are 2 kinds of rear-facing car seats. There are infant-only seats and convertible seats. Infant car seats are small and have a handle for carrying the seat. Many of these come with a stroller system that the seat can snap into. Infant car seats can not be installed front-facing. Infant car seats can only be used for up to 22 to 30 pounds depending on the seat. Each manufacture is different, so be sure to check their specifications. They are more commonly used for infants, because they can be used as a carrier also. The baby can be set in them in the grocery store, doctors office or where ever you go. Make sure to keep your baby strapped in at all times, to prevent them from slipping out.

Many infant car seats come with a base for the car. You attach the base in the car and then you can just pop the car seat into it. This is nice because you don't have to mess with the seat belts every time you put your baby in the car. You have the option to buy extra bases to use if you have multiple cars. Some car seats can be put in with or without the base. That might be something you'll want to look for. Then if you ride with someone else you won't have to move the base out of your car to use in another car.

Convertible car seats can be used rear-facing until the baby is old enough and then they can be turned around. This saved you money, because you can use the seat longer. These can be used for a couple of years depending on the size of the child. They take up more room and are not meant to be taken in and out of the car. They are rated to be used rear-facing for higher height and weight, so they are great for babies that are bigger or taller.

Types of Harnesses

The 5-point harness is the most secure. They attach on both sides of the babies shoulders and the hips. And then between the legs. These are used in infant only car seats and in convertible car seats.

The T-harness is a padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield attached at both shoulders and then between the legs. It would be considered a 3-point harness. These are used in infant only car seats and in convertible carseats.

The overhead shield has a padded tray-like shield that comes over the child's head and rests in front of the baby. This one only applies to the convertible car seat.

Installation

Always make sure the car seat is tightly installed. The harness should fit snugly around your baby. Never use a car seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger air bag. If it inflates, it will cause serious injury to your baby or even death. Check the harness slots. They should be at or below your babies shoulders. If the seat belts in your car require locking clips, then make sure you use them. All car safety seats should come with locking clips. Check your vehicle manual. Most newer cars do not need locking clips. If you are using a convertible seat in the rear-facing position, make sure the seat belt is routed through the correct belt path. Read the instructions that came with the car safety seat to be sure. If your vehicle was made after 2002, it may come with the LATCH system, which is used to secure car safety seats. Make sure the seat is at the correct angle so your infant’s head does not flop forward. Many seats have angle indicators or adjusters that can help prevent this. If your seat does not have an angle adjuster, tilt the car safety seat back by putting a rolled towel or other firm padding (such as a pool noodle) under the base near the point where the back and bottom of the vehicle seat meet.

Always use the instruction manual that is provided with the car seat. It is the safety of your that is at hand, so make sure you use the car seat the proper way that it was intended.



Lily

Levi Quinn asked:


Parents with infants often worry about the safety of their infant babies each time they go out with them. Prior to buying a seat for their infant baby, the first thing a parent should do is to conduct a through research. The research should cover things like the age of their baby, the size of the baby and the weight of the baby. When conducting the research, the parent should have all the statistics related to the baby in front of them so that they can keep referring to them every so often. A parent can conduct their research on the internet as there are quite a number of sites that have information regarding infant car seats. Selecting the best car for one's infant bay is not a light decision and hence one should take their time. Choosing the first car seat that comes across one's way can be extremely dangerous.

The purpose of buying a car seat will be defeated if a parent buys a seat that does not fit their infant. When finding the best infant car seat for their baby the parent should look for one that fits their baby. A parent should not waste their time on a car seat if it is not easy to install in the car. If one looks for a car seat that is easy to install they will use it correctly and prevent their infant from falling off and getting hurt. Parents should buy car seats they can get to know within a short time and that they can work with in difficult circumstances like when they are in the dark or when it is raining heavily. It is advisable to choose a seat that comes with extra features as it will help the parent fit their infant into the seat within a short time.

Cost is another important factor to consider when finding a car seat for an infant baby. Most seats that are sold at cheap prices do not have the extra features earlier mentioned and hence give parents a difficult time. This however does not mean that all cheap infant seats are not good. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) are the best to use instead of shoulder straps. LATCH do not need constant re-adjustment and often give safer installations. Choosing a seat that fits the baby exceptionally well is pointless if it does not fit in the car. Parents should always go for car seats that fit in their car so as not to endanger their infant's life or to make their infants uncomfortable. A good infant car seat should come with a harness of five points. This is because small babies need to be restrained well in their seats. The adjustment of the car seat should be easy to reach if a parent comes across a seat that does not have accessible seatbelt adjustment they should not buy it. In the same vein, parents should also avoid seats that need require them to fasten the belts at the back.



Carl

Craig Thornburrow asked:


Baby car seats are very important to the safety of your child while he/she is travelling in a vehicle.  All newer car seats meet all the safety regulations that have been established nationally.  The correct installation and the correct seat can be the difference between injury and no injury should you become involved in a crash.  Many fire departments and police departments offer clinics to teach you how to correctly install your seats and to ensure that they are correctly installed.  All types of car seats should be installed in the backseat.  The front seat is deadly if your car has a passenger airbag.  There are several types of car seats available – infant car seats, convertible car seats, forward facing toddler seats, and booster seats.

Infant car seats are seats that are designed for infants usually from 5 pounds up to between 22 and 30 pounds (depending on the model).  These seats should always be rear facing as this is the safest position for your baby.  Many infant car seats have bases that latch into the vehicle which allows the actual seat to act as a carrier and to snap in and out of the base.  This will keep you from having to "install" the seat every time you get into the vehicle.  Your infant should remain in the rear facing position until he/she is one year old and 20 pounds.  Both criteria should be met before placing your child in a forward facing seat.

Convertible car seats are car seats that work in both the rear facing and forward facing positions.   This type of car seat is installed in the vehicle in a rear facing position fully reclined until the baby reaches one year and 20 pounds.  At that time, the car seat can be turned around and installed in a forward facing position.  These car seats have a five point harness (or a T-shield or a tray shield) and can be used for children up to age 4 and 40 pounds (some models allow for a heavier 4 year old and go up to 80 pounds).  Many models offer the ability to remove the 5 point harness and install the seat as a belt positioning booster seat. 

A forward facing toddler seat is a car seat that is designed for children age 1 to age 4 ranging in weight from 20 pounds to 40 pounds or more depending on the model.  This is the next step in car seats after the infant car seat.  Many of these types of seats also convert into a booster seat.

Booster seats are designed to ensure the seatbelts in your vehicle fit your child.  The seats are for children from age 4 and 40 pounds.  There are high back and backless styles available.  Any toddler or convertible car seat is going to convert to a high back.  A backless style sits in the seat under the child and raises the child to the appropriate height for the belt. It is imperative that your child sits in a baby car seat, make sure you are using the right one.



Heath

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:

Acid Reflux in infants is a condition where the food and the acid in the stomach flow back in the esophagus. There are circular muscles at the end of the esophagus which open and close to let the food travel from the throat to the stomach. This set of circular muscles open to release the gas after meals. When they open they also allow some content from the stomach to travel in the esophagus and mouth. Infants are often seen "spitting up" after their meals. Vomiting can also be noticed in some cases. Acid Reflux can also occur when the babies cough or sneeze.

When do they suffer?

Not all infants suffer from this disease for a long time. It is mostly seen in the infants in the first three months of their age. Many infants don't require treatments on this and it gradually disappears by 12 months to 18 months of the infant's age.

Symptoms in an infant:

Following are some of the symptoms which can be noticed in an infant suffering from Acid Influx:

Hiccups and coughing frequently, burps along with spitting, restless crying, eating in small quantities or not eating at all, lack of continuous sleep, waking up at irregular intervals, bad breath, throat problems, swallowing problems, loosing of weight or poor health etc.

It is always better to consult a doctor if any of the symptoms are seen in your infant.

Depending on the severity of the problem suitable treatment can be started. If the problem is not severe no treatment is needed as it will disappear as the infant grows up.

Preventive steps to avoid Infant Acid Reflux:

"Spitting up" is a normal symptom seen in all the infants. This is not serious and disappears as the infant grows up till the age of 6 to 8 months. But if it does not disappear till this age then a doctor or your infant's pediatrician has to be consulted. The infant's doctor might make few changes in the eating habits and give you some useful tips which reduce the infants reflux.

Some useful tips for reducing the Reflux:

Holding the baby in the right position: If the position in which you hold the infant while feeding is right it will reduce the chances of the food coming back in the throat. Hold the baby upright for about 30 minutes after feeding.

Prone position (Laying the baby on stomach): If the baby is awake after feeding lay him on its stomach in at least a 30 degree angle position.

Infants position while sleeping at night: Just the way you keep the baby on its stomach in a 30 degree incline position in the same way keep the baby on his back with a 30 degree incline during his night sleep.

Feed your baby with regular small meals: Feeding too much at a time may not be healthy for your baby and might become heavy for your baby's stomach. Instead try feeding him with small meals with 2 to 3 hours gap between each meal.

Making the infant pass the gas after its meal (Making the baby burp): Make the baby burp at regular intervals while feeding. This will reduce the pressure on the infant's digestive system and help in digesting the food better.

Above are some of the symptoms and some common and simple tips by which you can prevent Acid Influx in Infants.

James

Marcus Bradley asked:

Before boarding on the plane, any traveler should consider the things they bring. There are several items that are not allowed in the plane or regulated in certain amounts. Thus, a considerable knowledge on the allowable carry-ons when traveling will prove to be helpful to anyone who is about to board on a plane.

First thing to be considered in plane boarding are the aerosols, gels and liquids one brings to the plane. The general rule states that all the aforementioned items should be placed in containers that are only three ounces in capacity and those that are smaller. Anything else isn't allowed. Second is that they should be placed in plastic bags with any form of closing mechanism that is only one quart is size. Yet, the rule isn't exactly unconditional.

There are specific items that are allowable carry-ons when traveling when talking about liquid products. These include juice, baby formula, prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. For disabled individuals, gels, liquefied food substitutes, juice and water are all allowed. Bone marrows, organs for transplant and blood product together with other medical related liquids like solutions and prosthetics could also be brought. All of these items can be brought inside the plane above the three ounce limit. Yet, they must be separated from the other aerosols, gels and liquids placed in the three ounce containers. Second, the security Officers must know about the products. Finally, the items should be submitted for appropriate inspections.

Electronic equipments are also allowable carry-ons when traveling. MP3 players, i-Pods, digital and SLR cameras and cellular phones can also be brought in the plane. Laptops are allowed in the plane although they have to be taken out of the jacket when passed through the x-ray inspection.

Personal items like books and keys may be brought. For toiletries, all of them must be in one piece in order for them to be boarded on the plane. Furthermore all of them have to be subjected to several security measures.

Prescribed medicines may be brought up to only 50 milliliters if they are liquids. This amount is deemed necessary and enough for entire trips. Yet they must be presented with authentic prescriptions. Both medicine and prescription are then verified by security officials.

Infant milk and liquefied infant food as one of the allowable carry-ons when traveling can be placed in containers although the adult passenger is required to take the contents in front of the security officer in-charge.

The aforementioned rules on what are allowed in the plane and in what amounts are actually set up for the safety of everyone traveling. It has been found out that there are cases when these items are actually used for some illegal activities that more often than not, pose immediate dangers to the rest of the passengers. So, before traveling, every individual is advised to check what they are actually bringing. With this, they may be assured that what they are bringing with them are allowable carry-ons when traveling.

Graciela