Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A good car seat can keep your baby safe and secure on the road. Which one is best car seats for your baby?

With features like latch hooks, load legs, and belt paths to consider, selecting the right car seat for your infant can be a challenge. Here's everything you need be aware of to make the right decision for your family.

Easy to Use

You'll need to choose a model that's easy to install and use, whether you're purchasing an infant car seat for your newborn or upgrading your toddler's seat. Consider the size of the base and the car, as well as how the seat fits your baby's weight and height, as well as additional features that are convenient, such as a lay-flat option that can also double as a bassinet for your stroller.

Infant-only chairs are a good option for newborns since they are generally narrower and fit them more comfortably than convertible car seats. They come with a harness to ensure your child's head is supported in an accident, which can reduce the stress on their neck or the spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are perfect for parents who plan to keep their children rear-facing as long as possible because the majority of these models allow children to sit in a rear-facing position up to the point that they weigh 30 pounds or more. Choose a convertible car seat that meets federal safety regulations and has a weight minimum of 50 pounds.

When you're looking for a car seat, it's important to consider that while all car seats must meet the strict NHTSA safety standards There are a variety of different models on the market. To avoid the burden and risk of a dangerous or defective seat, choose one that's certified by a reputable company or organization, and then look for recalls in the past and complaints from the manufacturer.

The most rated car seats for babies feature skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding and a range of recline positions. Some car seats come with extra padding on the shoulder strap and around the buckle to ensure your child is comfortable during long roadtrips. If you have a smaller vehicle choose a narrow infant seat like the Clek Liing that is less than 17 inches wide and is easy to install in a majority of vehicles. The UPPAbaby MezzaMax, that can be used in conjunction in conjunction with UPPAbaby Strollers, is a great option for families who want a simple car seat. Its auto-retracting straps EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors with guides, and no-rethread harness make it easy to use for every car journey.

Safety Features

There are the following aspects when selecting the best car seats for newborns uk infant car seat. If you're looking to ensure your child is safe throughout the entire journey or are in search of a light car seat that is safe for your child to use on long journeys, it's essential to keep in mind a few characteristics. Consider first the weight and height limits of your infant car seat cheap car seat. This will determine the maximum time your child can safely spend in the seat. Find a model that can be used up to the 90th centile of your child's height before turning 1. Think about whether you'd like to put a blanket or coat over the straps of your harness. The AAP advises against this, because thick clothing could compress in a crash and leave the straps too loose to hold your child, thereby increasing the risk of injuries.

You should also consider whether your car seat will be installed via the LATCH system or a belt on a vehicle and if it's compatible with other strollers or other travel systems. A car seat that can be fitted onto a base that is compatible is the best option if you plan to use it for a majority of your car rides in order to save time and energy by not having to remove it and reinstall it each time you use your vehicle.

In our tests, the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned top rated baby car seats (click the next page) marks for its ease of installation and adjustments, with testers commenting that it "has everything you need to have a quick and simple installation." It comes with premium LATCH connectors that can be flipped out from the base and change to green when fully connected, and a SuperCinch force-multiplying strap tightener and a spring-loaded leveling foot.

The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another great option. We found it to be user-friendly and affordable as models costing twice as much. Our testers have applauded it for its five-position headrest, height-adjustable that can be adjusted to fit your child's height harness, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.

The Maxi-Cosi Jade is a great choice for newborns because of its unique sleeping position of 180 degrees. This allows them to sleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer on road trips. It's also praised for its safety, with consumer advocate Which? calling it 'one of the most secure infant car seats on the market' and ADAC giving it the highest lab score for a car seat that is suitable for infants.

Rear-facing Options

In the majority of cars the safest place for a newborn is the center rear seat. The center position is farthest from any possible impact and will protect your child the best in the event of a crash. You should select an infant car seat that allows your child to sit in a rear-facing position for around one year. It is also essential to ensure that the car seat is correctly installed and that the headrest fits comfortably against your child's head and chest. Get a certified child-passenger technician who will provide you with the most current recommendations for car seat installation and use. Find one in your locality here.

The car seat you select for your newborn will be a major investment, and you'll be using it for a long time. You'll want a seat that has a good crash test score and an analysis score. It should also have features that will keep your baby comfortable. The Clek Liing is a great option to parents looking for a low-cost rear-facing infant car seat. It scored high in our sensor and analysis test. It has an easy LATCH system that changes color to show when the buckle straps have been properly attached to the car and a load-leg to help prevent frontal collisions.

Strategist senior editor and mom of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit with her daughters who both grew from birth to age 6. The adjustable harness size and height allows it to accommodate children of all sizes and heights, including taller ones. It's a great option for a wide range of vehicles and has a low, 50-pound limit on rear-facing weight. Additionally, the seat can be converted into a booster, which Trolio used for her oldest daughter up to the time she was 10 years old.

Nuna RAVA is a similar alternative. It doesn't come with a base, however it is still easy to install using the LATCH connectors that are rigid. They flip off the bottom and turn green automatically when the seat is secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is comfortable for babies without rethreads. The buckle holders are magnetic, making it easy to secure the straps without removing your baby from the car seat. LaBracio also liked the recline that has six positions.

Forward-Facing Options

In front-facing seats, children's necks are cradled in the back of the seat rather than pushed forward on a hard vehicle seat. This position protects them in collisions with other vehicles as well. Most car seats allow infants up to 20 pounds and one year old to sit backwards. Many experts recommend that kids remain rear-facing for as long as they are able to. Their neck muscles and bones are stronger when it's time to switch to an front-facing seat.

When considering options for forward-facing car seat, make sure they meet i-Size requirements, have a padded head rest, and a large harness pocket. You should consider purchasing a car seat that can grow with your child, and then become a booster. Some models come with an all-in one feature that lets your child go from a rear facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward facing car seat.

It's also important to determine whether the seat will fit in your vehicle well, especially in the case of a tiny trunk space or a car with an uninspiring clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat and owner's manual of the vehicle to ensure the most appropriate fit.

Look for a car-seat that offers good support and comfort to your child. Long drives in the vehicle will be more enjoyable if they can rest comfortably. This may include features like the ability to recline the seat back as well as a five-point harness that can tighten from the rear of your seat and a range of recline positions.

Once you've narrowed your options, think about crash replacement policies for the car seat you're thinking of buying. These could be anything from a manufacturer's replacement policy to an individual case review.

After you've done your homework and determined the type of car seat you're looking at now is the time to start shopping around. You can also ask your friends who have children to recommend. You can also schedule an appointment with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you choose the best infant seat car seat for your newborn.