Why in a carseat?

Question

I am not from the states, and Wonder why so many keep a newborn in carseats the first few months. Where I live, its not recommended to have newborn in a so upright position for longer streches of time.

We keep them flat in a bassinet, occacionally in a almost flat swing or chair, and then switch to the seat on our stroller at 6-7 months. In the US I have seen tiny babies in the same seats with their head hanging to the side. This annoys me a bit, can't you see its not good for them?

Answer

In America 90% of strollers do not come with prams/bassinets so in order to use the stroller prior to around 4ish months when baby can sit up independently, you have to snap the car seat in the stroller. Of the strollers that have pram/bassinet attachments, the price tag is too high for most families. Most of these strollers are $500-$1000. Most Americans spend $200 or less on a stroller/car seat combo.

Answer

I think you are referring to outside of the car. Like carrying them around in their infant car seat or attaching the car seat to the stroller and pushing them around that way.

If that's what you're referring to, it's a convenience thing. Pop the car seat in and out easily without getting the newborn out into the bad weather or disturbing their sleep. You also have to consider that they are made and intended for traveling purposes. We don't allow them to sleep in them overnight or anything but we do use them for the marketed purpose of convenient travel...

Answer

Because it's illegal to travel with the baby not in a car seat. I don't know what you mean about the baby's head hanging out. But while driving you need to have the baby in a car seat for safety reasons too. And there are women who will also carry around the infant car seat while out and about but that's for convenience and also safety. I feel much more safe carrying the baby in the infant car seat while walking into a store. And the baby's don't fuss about it so I don't think being in the seat bothers them at all...

Answer

Outside of the car or as part of a travel system babies shouldn't be sitting in car seats. I have a travel system so my five week old is in that car seat while in the stroller, but his time in it is limited and I don't leave him in it any longer than is necessary. Even with the bit that keeps their head from lolling about  (I've seen pictures of that too) the position a newborn  is put into by a car seat is not good for their spine so they shouldn't be in one for more than two hours. I just ordered a baby carrier so that we can go out for longer by taking him out of the seat when we're out of the car. A car seat should never be a sleeping place for baby outside of a car or travel system and even then the two hour limit applies. I'm in the UK, I don't know what the advice is in the US.

Answer

Because it's the law and they have to be in a car seat for travel..... When it is placed in a shopping cart it lays back so the baby isn't up and most newer car seat bases tilt back but the cheaper ones don't the prans like you mention having over there are around $700-$1,000 over here. I wanted one but we just can't afford it. It's not common here so it's expensive. A lot of them have head rests and if they don't you can buy one. Where do you out your baby in the car? Because it doesn't look like the removable pram basket would fit in a car? Curious....

Answer

Here it's law to have a child strapped in to a car seat until the age of 3, otherwise you will get a heafty fine

Answer

I certainly hope nobody has their newborn in an upright car seat!!

Answer

I know what u mean alot of babies go in carseat on wheels now for long periods instead of a pram top...I have a lovely pram top for my baby and hoping hell stay in it til 6 months or so, dont like the idea of them being in carseat for ages cant be good for them

Answer

I get what you are saying though. Babies spend an awful lot of time in that position, from car seats to bouncers to swings. I agree that it is not always the best for them. I do use a car seat, as it is the safest way for baby to travel in a car, but when we arrive at our destination, I wear my baby. Around the house they are either a playing on a mat, sleeping in bed, or I am wearing them untill they are a little more model. I understand that what I do is not the norm, though and everyone does things differently. I just wanted to say I get what you are asking.

Answer

You are completely correct. America uses a lot of any equipment that's quite detrimental!

Why in a carseat?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey