Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For newborns who are rear-facing, the rear-facing infant car seat is the most secure option. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.

The base of the car seat needs to be slightly retracted. This will help to keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, reducing the chance of asphyxia from a position.

Types

When it comes to choosing a car seat suitable for infants there are two primary kinds to be considered. A car seat for infants and a convertible baby car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your preference and how the seat is utilized. If you intend to use the seat as part of a travel system, and will be changing vehicles often, an infant car seat might be better suited. If you are looking for a car seat that can expand with your child and become a booster or beyond the age of a convertible seat, it is the best option.

Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns and are placed in the rear position which is the most secure method for traveling for small infants. They are also typically cheaper than convertible car seats, but may have a shorter life span. Most seats must be changed once your child reaches their limit of their weight or height (which can differ greatly between seats) or if they reach the age limit.

Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one car seats are designed to transport your baby from birth through their toddler years, and into their school years. Some can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing one.

Many of the best car seats for newborns can be converted and come with various features, like smooth rotation, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS that is essentially Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their children in and out of the seat simpler, while ensuring their children are safe and secure.

It is essential to ensure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your vehicle, and also that it comes with LATCH to allow for simple installation. It's also important to check the safety features, such as shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. If you're not sure which type of seat is the best car seats infant fit for your family, talk to a certified car seat technician. They can help you navigate the options and help you choose the appropriate seat for your child.

Safety

If you're looking for an infant car seat for travel car seat convertible car seat, baby-ready travel systems it is important be sure that the one you select meets the strictest safety standards. This is especially crucial for infants as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Choose the seat with five-point safety harnesses that can be stowed between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This secures your child, preventing them from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.

You should also consider a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also have top tethers, which stops the seat from moving forward in the event of a collision, and blocking a child's airway. Make sure the recline angle is right as well, since newborns are often trapped in a seat that is too high up.

Most importantly, be sure to follow all manufacturer's guidelines regarding proper installation for your particular model. It's a good idea to check with a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or shortly after the birth of your baby seat (you can try Elaivizh). A qualified professional can ensure the perfect installation.

Another aspect to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to frequently use your stroller you should consider an infant car and stroller set-up that works seamlessly. This is a great choice for busy parents as it allows them to effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa, while they are running errands.

Finally, always use your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft ones like a bed or sofa as they can cause the seat to tip over, possibly causing injury or even death to your child. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces can cause suffocation.

User-Friendliness

A car seat will only offer the most effective protection if it is used properly every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries in car seats involve mistakes. Some of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations, using aftermarket products, and placing the child in a wrong position.

To help reduce the risk of a mistake, a quality infant car seat for newborns is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that help to ensure correct usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important because studies have proven that improper use of a car seat can be responsible for as much as 50% of injuries caused by car seats.

Also, be aware that you should never leave your infant car seat for travel in the car seat or in a carrier, even if it is just for a few minutes. A baby left unattended in a safety seat may fall and fall onto soft surfaces, like couches or beds which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats can also be flipped over onto their sides, resulting in an inability to breathe.

Choosing the best infant car seat for your infant depends on many factors, including lifestyle and longevity. A one-piece model is less expensive initially, but might not be suitable for smaller infants as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, easy to install seat is vital for parents who travel frequently. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat which can be installed in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle without the base.

A seat that is attached to strollers is ideal option for parents with a newborn who are looking to minimize the amount of luggage they carry in the city or on flights. This is particularly applicable if you reside in a city, and plan to use public transportation frequently and many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for simple, effortless commuting. Lastly, you should pay close attention to the ease of putting in your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections, since they are not commonly found in many models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats can also connect to a stroller travel system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it much easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Make sure to put the seat in the stroller prior to you drive off. It's not safe to leave it in the car or even on the road. Your child may be injured if they exit the seat without supervision.

Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and smaller infants, featuring snug and secure fittings and plenty of padding for comfort and safety. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry on short trips. Most infant car seats can be used rear-facing which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Most children outgrow infant car seats between the ages of nine months and one year. This means that you might require convertible car seats sooner than you anticipated.

A good infant car safety seat will have a strap that is flat against the child’s chest over their hips, and with the chest clip placed in the armpit of the child. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child's thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts that assist parents to maintain this recommended fit.

It is important to keep in mind that if the straps are loose or unfastened children could be strangled. It is also dangerous to leave a child in a car with no supervision. Choose a seat with an option to lock off your vehicle, or one with an inbuilt locking mechanism.

Our experts test car seats to make sure they're equipped with the most safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone on the planet He's with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford, a Senior Review Analyst who has been testing seats since 2016. Our team's experience and knowledge help you find the right seat for your child and your vehicle.