Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A quality car seat will ensure your baby is safe and secure on the road. Which one is the most suitable for your child?

With features such as latch hooks, load legs, and belt paths to consider, choosing the best infant car seat isn't easy. Here's what you need to be aware of to make the best purchase for your family.

Easy of Use

You'll want to choose one that is easy to set up and use, whether you're buying a car seat for a new baby or upgrading from your toddler's car seat. Consider the size of the base and the car, how the seat will fit your child's weight and height, as well as useful extra features such as an option to lay flat that can double as a bassinet for a stroller.

Infant-only seats are an ideal option for infants because they tend to be smaller and fit more snugly than convertible seats. They have a harness to support your child's head in an accident, which could lessen the strain on their neck or spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are great for parents who want to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they are able to. The majority of models allow children to ride rear-facing until 30 pounds or more. If you decide on a convertible car seat, you should look for one that complies with the safety standards of the federal government and has a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds or more.

When shopping for a car seat, it's important to consider that even though all carseats must be in compliance with strict NHTSA safety standards There are plenty of different models available on market. Pick a seat approved by a reputable company or company. Also, check for recalls or complaints from the manufacturer.

The best car seats are constructed with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and a variety of recline positions. Some car seats come with extra padding on the straps for the shoulder and around the buckle to ensure your child is comfortable during long roadtrips. If you have a smaller vehicle, look for a narrow infant seat like the Clek Liing, which is less than 17 inches wide and is easy to install in most vehicles. The UPPAbaby Mesa Max, which is designed to be used with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another excellent option for families who need a simple car seat that's easy to use. Its auto-retracting straps EZ buckle, premium lower anchor connectors with guides, and no-rethread harness make it easy to use on every car journey.

Safety Features

It is important to consider the following aspects when selecting the right infant car seat. Whether you want to ensure your child is safe throughout the entire journey or you are looking for a lightweight, safe car seat for your child to use on long trips, it's important to consider a few features. Consider first the height and weight limits of your infant car seat. This will determine the maximum time your baby can safely be in the seat. Look for a model which goes up to your child's 90th centile measurement prior to turning 1. Consider whether you would like to put a blanket or coat on the harness straps. The AAP cautions against this as thick clothing could be compressed during a crash, leaving the straps loose enough for your child to be restrained, increasing the chance of injury.

It is also important to consider whether your car seat will be fitted with the LATCH system, or a belt for your vehicle and if it's compatible with other strollers or other travel systems. A car seat that can fit onto a compatible base is ideal if you intend to use it for the majority of your journeys in order to save time and energy by not having to take it off it and reinstall it every time you use the vehicle.

The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best of The Bump, scored top marks during our testing for its ease of installation and its ability to adjust. Testers stated that it "has everything needed to ensure a fast, easy installation." It comes with premium LATCH connectors that open from the base and become green when connected, plus a SuperCinch force-multiplying strap tightener as well as an adjustable foot with springs.

Another option that is worth considering is the budget-friendly Baby Trend Secure-Lift, which we've found to be as simple to use as models that cost twice as much. Our testers have praised it for its five-position, height-adjustable headrest that can be adjusted to fit your child's height harness, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.

The Maxi-Cosi jade is the perfect choice for infants, thanks to its unique sleeping position of 180 degrees. This lets them sleep comfortably and longer during journeys. It has also been highly praised for its safety by the consumer advocate Which? ADAC giving it the highest laboratory score for car seats newborn seats for infants.

Rear-Facing Options

In the majority of cars, the most secure spot for a newborn is in the back seat. The position in the center is the most secure from any impact that could occur and will shield your child from harm in the event of a crash. It is recommended to choose a car seat for infants that allows your child to ride rear-facing for about a year. It's also important to ensure the car seat is installed correctly and that the headrest fits against your child's chest and head. Get a certified child-passenger technician who will provide you with the most up-to-date suggestions for car seat installation and use. Find the nearest one here.

The choice of a car seat for your newborn is a huge purchase that you'll likely be using for a very long duration, so you'll need to choose a seat with an impressive crash test sensor and analysis score, as well as features to keep your child comfortable. The Clek Liing is a great option to parents looking for an affordable rear-facing infant car seat. It scored very high in both our sensor and analysis tests. It has a simple LATCH system that has an indicator that changes color and shows how buckle straps are attached properly to the car, and a load leg that can help to prevent frontal collisions.

Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, used the Graco Extend2Fit for her daughters, who were both born up to the age of six. The harness's adjustable height and size allow it to accommodate children of all sizes and heights, including taller ones. The seat is compatible with various vehicles, and it has an upper limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. Additionally, the seat can be converted into a booster seat, which Trolio used for her daughter's oldest until she was 10 years old.

Nuna RAVA is a similar alternative. It doesn't have a base like the majority of seats, however it is still extremely simple to put in using either method, thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors that slide out from the bottom of the seat and automatically turn green when secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is also a comfortable seat for babies, thanks to the harness being non-rethread and has magnetic buckle holders that allow you to fasten the straps without having to remove your child from the seat. It also comes with the ability to recline in six positions that LaBracio discovered useful.

Options with a Forward-Facing

In front-facing seats, children's necks are cradled in the back of the seat, instead of being pushed forward on the hard seat of a vehicle. This protects them from side collisions as well. The majority of car seats allow infants as young as 20 pounds and one year old to sit backwards. Many experts recommend that kids remain rear-facing as long as they can. Their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when it's time for them to transition to the front-facing seat.

When looking at options for forward-facing car seats make sure they meet i-Size requirements, have a cushioned head rest, and a large harness pocket. Be sure to check the maximum height and weight limit and consider buying a car seat that will expand with your child to the position of a booster seat. Certain models have an all-in-one feature that lets your child change from a rear facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward facing car seat.

It's also important to consider whether the seat will fit in your vehicle well, especially when you have a limited trunk space or a car with a low clearance. Make sure you check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the owners' manuals for your vehicle to determine the best car seats for infants fit.

Look for a car-seat that offers good support and comfort for your child. Long trips in the car will be more enjoyable when they can sleep comfortably. This could include features such as the ability to recline the seat back, a five point harness that can tighten from the back of your seat, and a variety of recline positions.

After you've narrowed your options down, you'll want to look at the policies regarding crash replacement of the car seats you're thinking of buying. These can vary from the manufacturer's replacement policy, to a case-by-case review.

After you've done some study and determined the type of car seat you'd like then you can begin shopping. You can also ask your friends with young children for recommendations. You can also request an appointment for a Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to assist you in choosing the right car seat for your baby.