Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For infants, a rear-facing infant car seat is the best option. It's vital to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.

The car seat's base should be a little reclined which aids in keeping the baby's head in a forward position and keep their the chin away from their chest, lessening the risk of asphyxia.

Types

When selecting a car seat for newborns, there are two main kinds to be considered. There are two kinds of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have their pros and disadvantages however it all depends on your personal preference and how you plan on using the seat. If you intend to use the seat as a part of an itinerary and you'll be moving between vehicles frequently the infant car seat might be more suitable. If you want a car seat that will expand with your child and become a booster or go beyond the age of a convertible seat, it is the best choice.

Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns and are designed to be used in the rear-facing position which is the most secure way to travel for little babies. These seats are typically less expensive but have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seat. The majority of seats need to be replaced when your child is at the weight or height limit (which can vary greatly between seats) or when their age is reached.

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

A lot of the top car seats for infants can be converted and come with many features, like a smooth rotation function as well as a simple harness adjustment. an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their infants in and out of the seat easier, while ensuring that their children are kept comfortable and secure.

When selecting a car seat, it's important to make sure it's compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH for easy installation. It's also important to check the safety features, such as shock-absorbing materials and side impact protection. If you're unsure about what type of seat is right for your family, speak to a qualified car seat technician. They will guide you through the options and help you pick the appropriate seat for your child.

Safety

Whether you're shopping for a car seat for your infant convertible car seat, baby-ready travel systems, you need to ensure that the model you choose is safe and meets strict safety standards. This is particularly crucial for infants as they are lighter and smaller than older children. Choose a seat with five-point harnesses that are attached below the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This will prevent your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of an abrupt stop or crash.

If you want to be sure, seek out an item that is secured to the vehicle with either lower anchors or seat belt, and offers the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward during the event of a crash, and possibly obstructing the child's breathing. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Infants are prone to get trapped in a seat that is too forward.

It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure the proper installation of your car seat. It is a good idea to check with a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or right after the birth of your baby. A professional can guarantee an excellent installation.

Another factor to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use a stroller often then you should think about an infant car seat and stroller combination that connects seamlessly. This is an excellent option for busy parents as it allows them to effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa when they're doing errands.

Always ensure that your seat is on a hard surface (such as a car seat or base) and never on a soft surface, such as the bed or sofa because this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child getting injured or even killed. Infant/baby carriers that are not properly secured or supervised on soft surfaces can cause suffocation.

Easy of Use

A Nania Race I Car Seat - Height-Adjustable - Buy Now! seat can only provide the highest level of protection when it is properly used every time. Unfortunately, many car seat injuries are the result of mistakes. A few of these include not following the product instructions, incorrect installations and using products that are aftermarket and placing the child in an incorrect position.

A quality car seat for infants will come with clear instructions for installation as well as features that ensure proper usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the seat is installed correctly. This is important as studies have proven that improper use of a car seat could be responsible for as much as half of all car seat-related injuries.

Also, remember that you must never leave your infant in the car seat or a carrier, even if it is just for a short period of time. Unsupervised children in a safety seat can fall and fall onto soft surfaces, such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or death. The seats can also slide over on their sides, leading to suffocation.

Choosing the best car seat for your infant is based on a variety of factors including the type of lifestyle and longevity. A all-in-one model may be more affordable initially, but it may not work for smaller babies as well and is less flexible than a convertible car seat or booster. If parents are planning to travel frequently, a lightweight, easy-to-install seat is essential and urban dwellers will likely want a seat that can be easily installed without the base and in a taxi or Uber.

A seat that integrates with strollers is an ideal option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they'll need to carry around town or on airplane flights. This is especially true if you live in a city, and plan to frequent public transportation and many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller for simple, easy commuting. Lastly, you should be aware of the ease of putting in your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections, as they aren't commonly found in many models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats can be used with stroller travel systems which allows you to create an entire solution for child safety. This makes it much easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Just make sure you always ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car seat for Newborn or on the streets isn't a good idea and could let your child exit the seat unattended and could result in injury.

Car seats for infants are designed specifically for babies and smaller infants, featuring comfortable and secure fit and plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seat which makes them easier to carry for short distances. The majority of baby car seats can be used rear-facing which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

They have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Most children outgrow infant car seats between the ages of nine months and a year. This means that you may need to upgrade to convertible car seats sooner than you anticipated.

A quality infant car seat will have a harness strap that lies flat against the child's chest, and also over their hips, with the chest clip located at armpit level and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts that help parents attain the ideal fit.

When selecting an infant car seat, it is important to keep in mind that babies could be trapped if the straps are loose or unfastened. It's also unsafe to leave your child unattended in a car seat, so choose one that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle or a built-in lock.

Our experts test car seats to make sure they're equipped with the most safety features. Bob Hoffman, Senior Review Editor at Consumer Reports has the most experience in car seat installation and rating. He is joined by Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor and Abriah Wolfford Senior Review Analyst who have been testing seats since 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge will assist you in choosing the right seat for both your child and your vehicle.