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“Can you use a baby carrier in the car?” A lot of new parents question themselves about whether this is a safe or legal choice when they are traveling with their newborn. Although the purpose of baby carriers is comfort and closeness, they are not intended to protect babies in a car. This article discusses the dangers, legislation, and professional guidelines so you will know why a well-fitted car seat is always the best way to keep your baby safe.
Why Baby Carriers Are Not a Substitute for Car Seats?
Baby carriers are made to be comfortable, bonding, and mobile, rather than crash protective. Carriers do not have the reinforced structure, harness system, and safety testing that car seats have to hold infants in place during a collision. A carrier is not able to cushion against severe injury or ejection in the event of sudden braking or an accident. Car seats do not impose the impact forces onto babies; instead, they spread the impact force, which is the safest way to carry babies in a car.
What Are the Differences Between a Car Seat and a Baby Carrier?
Despite the fact that both a car seat and a baby carrier are made with babies in mind, they could not be any more different in their functionality. A car seat is a safety device that is specifically designed to keep your child safe as long as you are on the road. It includes a rigid shell, energy-absorbing material, and crash-tested harnesses that pass stringent government standards. Car seats are necessary by law in vehicles as they significantly decrease the danger of severe injuries in the case of abrupt halting or a road crash.
Although both items are designed for babies, a car seat and a baby carrier serve completely different purposes. A car seat is designed to be safe in travel with a rigid shell, a crash-tested harness, and is legally required to be used in automobiles.
An infant carrier, like the Momcozy PureHug Baby Carrier, is designed to be comfortable, close, and hands-free as the parent engages in their daily routine. Although carriers make outings more convenient and bonding easier, only car seats are designed to absorb impact in case of sudden stops or crashes that expose your child to danger.
What Do Studies Say?
Studies have always indicated that baby carriers are not safe alternatives to car seats inside cars. Research emphasizes that the design of carriers is not crash-tested, and thus, the babies are very susceptible to the impact of a car crash. On the other hand, car seats are also highly tested safety equipment that has been shown to cut the risk of fatal injury by over fifty percent in a crash. Child safety bodies and experts strongly discourage the use of carriers in vehicles in any case.
Can You Wear a Baby Carrier in a Taxi?
Although it may be convenient to carry your baby in a carrier when riding in a taxi, it is not safe and it is not legal in most locations. Taxis, as well as personal cars, must have infants locked in a certified automobile seat.
A baby carrier cannot offer the crash protection your child needs when there is a sudden braking action or collision. Provided you plan on taking taxis frequently, you can use a lightweight, portable car seat that is easy to carry.
To stay comfortable after you get where you are going, the Momcozy WeeSnug Newborn Carrier is a nice purchase. It is made with soft and breathable fabric and a comfortable system that gives the baby great support to the head, neck and hips and keeps them close to the chest. Its removable straps also allow parents to use it during longer intervals when it becomes comfortable to carry, which allows them to go on longer walks in the city, do errands, or go out with the family without leaving the car.
How to Carry a Baby While Travelling in a Car?
The most secure method of transporting a baby in a car is by ensuring they are secured in an age-suitable car seat. In the case of infants, a rear-facing car seat is necessary because it helps to cushion the delicate head, neck, and spine of the baby in the event of sudden stops or a crash.
Neither the baby carrier nor hand-holding a child gives them protection in the event of a car accident. As such, parents are not to put a baby in their hands or in the baby carrier when the car is in motion.
You should also have things like diapers, snacks and infant carriers (for use outside the car) within reach, and ensure the seat is correctly fitted before every journey.
Can I Skip the Infant Car Seat?
No. Newborns and smaller babies are designed to fit in infant car seats. This enhances appropriate head, neck, and spine support in their first few months, which larger seats might not provide. They are also more portable and can be used to carry a baby who has fallen asleep. But it is acceptable to skip the infant seat, provided that you opt to acquire a convertible car seat that is rear-facing, crash-tested, and should be able to support a newborn baby from day one.
Safe Alternatives for Car Travel
As far as car travel is concerned, there is no real alternative to an age-appropriate and properly installed car seat. Nevertheless, it is possible to make the process of travelling more convenient once parents decide on the kind of seat to use. Lightweight infant car seats or all-in-one convertible seats are safe and convenient on short trips and when the family needs to travel in cities. Families that travel a lot by taxi or rideshares may consider buying travel-friendly car seats that can be easily transported. An infant carrier is excellent when you are not in the car, but once you are in that car, the only car seats that are sure to keep your child safe are crash-tested.
Benefits of Babywearing Vs. Car Seat Carrying
Babywearing and carrying in a car seat are important in their own ways in separate contexts. Babywearing enables you to hold your baby close, bond, minimize fussiness and move freely, hands-free. It can also be used in the healthy positioning of hips when properly used, and simplifies outings once you are out of the car.
Car seat carrying, however, offers not only a secure way of transportation when a baby is in the car, but also an opportunity to carry a sleeping baby without waking the baby up. When parents are after the best infant carrier, ergonomic designs make day-to-day life easier and more supportive.
When Not to Wear a Baby Carrier?
Although baby carriers are very helpful during bonding and in terms of mobility, they are not to be used at all in certain situations. Babies must never be strapped in a baby carrier when in the car because it cannot protect against a crash.
Carriers should be avoided when a person cooks, is working with hot objects, or uses sharp objects, as they can lead to burns or injury. You should also avoid carrying a baby when they are sick or experiencing any breathing problems, or when you are very tired and cannot safely carry them. You must always keep in mind your comfort and that of your baby.
Conclusion
The question is: Is it safe to carry a baby in the car using a baby carrier? The answer is obvious: only a properly installed car seat will keep your baby safe on the road. Carriers are great in terms of bonding, comfort and mobility when you are out of the car, but not crash-tested. When parents use car seats as their priority during their travels, they have the ease of mind that their baby is safely secured during the trip.
