Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants who are rear-facing, an infant car seat that is rear-facing is the best option. Incorrectly using a car seat can lead to injury or death, so it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing.
The base of the car seat should be a little reclined which helps keep the baby's head in a forward position and keep their chin off their chest reducing the risk of positional asphyxia.
Push Chairs And Prams
When selecting the best car seat for infants, there are two main types to take into consideration. A car seat for infants and a convertible baby car seat. Both have their pros and disadvantages however it all is a matter of personal preference and the way you plan on using the seat. If you plan to use the seat as a part of a travel system and will be switching between vehicles frequently the infant car seat may be more suitable. If you want a car seat that will grow with your child and become a booster or even beyond, a convertible seat is the best option.
Infant cars seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns and are designed to be used in the rear-facing position and are the safest way to travel for little infants. These seats are typically less expensive, but have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Most seats must be replaced once your child is at the limit of their weight or height (which will vary widely between seats) or if their age is reached.
Convertible baby seats, or all-in-one car seats, as they are sometimes called are designed to accommodate your infant from birth through their toddler years and on into their school age years. Some can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats designed for infants will come with a variety of features. They include a smooth-rotation feature, an easy harness adjustment, and a base made of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. Parents love these features because they make getting their children in and out of the car seat easier, while also ensuring their children are kept comfortable and safe.
It is important to ensure that the car seat you select is compatible with your car, and that it has LATCH to allow for simple installation. It's also important to check the safety features, like shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. Consult a qualified car seat specialist if aren't sure which car seat is best for your family. They'll be able talk about your options and help you select the best seat for your newborn.
Safety
If you're looking for a car seat for your infant, convertible car seat or baby-friendly travel systems it is essential to ensure that the model you select meets the strictest safety standards. This is particularly crucial for infants since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Choose a seat with five-point harnesses that are attached beneath the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This helps secure your child and prevents them from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.
It is recommended to look for a seat that can be secured to the vehicle by either lower anchors or a seat belt, and offers the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward during a crash and potentially obstructing breathing for the child. Be sure that the recline angle is right as well, since newborns are prone to getting trapped in a car seat that's too upright.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding proper installation for your specific model. It's recommended to consult an approved car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child, as this professional can help you get the perfect installation every time.
Another factor to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you are planning to use your stroller frequently then you should think about an infant car and stroller combo that connects seamlessly. This is an excellent option for parents who are busy as it allows them to easily transfer their baby from the stroller to the car and vice versa, when they're running around doing errands.
Also, make sure you make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft ones such as couches or beds as they can cause the seat to tip over, possibly hurting or even killing your child. If you leave your infant's or baby's seat or carrier unsupervised on soft surfaces can also result in suffocation.
Easy of Use
A car seat can only provide the best protection when it is properly used every time. Unfortunatelly, many car seat injuries are the result of mistakes. These include not following product instructions, incorrect installation or using accessories from aftermarket, and putting the child into an incorrect position.
To minimize the risk of a mistake, a quality infant car seat for newborns will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that make it easier to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, such as CYBEX, even have visual indicators and click sounds that assure that the seat is fitted correctly. This is important because studies have shown incorrect use of car seats could be responsible for as much as 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.
Also, remember that you must never leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier, even if it is just for a short period of time. Unsupervised children in a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces like beds or couches which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats may also fall on their side and cause suffocation.
The ideal infant car seat will depend on several factors, including your lifestyle and the long-term durability of the seat. A one-piece model is cheaper upfront but might not be suitable for smaller infants as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. If parents plan to travel often and require a light, easy-to-install seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to want an option that is easily installed without a base and can be used in taxis or Uber.
A seat that can be attached to strollers is a excellent option for families who are looking to minimize the amount of baggage they need to carry in the city or on flights. This is particularly applicable if you reside in a city, and plan to take public transport frequently and many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller for simple, effortless commuting. Also, be aware of the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections since they are not common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can be used with stroller travel systems, allowing you to create a complete solution for child safety. This makes it easy to move a baby who is sleeping from your car to a stroller even in the worst conditions and at night. Make sure to ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller before you drive off. If you leave it in the car or on the streets isn't safe and can let your child leave the stroller without supervision which could cause injuries.
Infant car seats are made for infants and babies who are smaller. They provide a snug and secure fit and plenty of padding for comfort and security. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. Most infant car seats can be used rear-facing which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Typically, children outgrow their infant car seats between nine months and a year. It is possible that you will require upgrading your car seat to a convertible one sooner than you thought.
A great infant car seat should have straps for harnesses that lie 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 to assist parents to maintain the recommended fit.
It's important to remember that straps that are loose or unfastened, babies can be strangled. It's also not safe to leave a child alone in a car seat, therefore, choose a seat that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle, or a built-in lock.
Our experts test car seats to make sure they're fitted with the highest safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone else on the planet He's joined by mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford an Analyst for Senior Reviews who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will assist you in choosing the right seat for both your child and vehicle.