Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For infants with an infant car seat that is rear-facing is the most secure option. It is essential to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing the car seat.

The base of the car seat should be slightly reclined. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chest, reducing the risk of sustaining asphyxia in a position.

Types

When choosing the best car seat for infants, there are two main kinds to be considered. A baby car seat and a convertible baby car seat. Both have pros and cons. It all depends on your preference and how the seat is used. If you are planning to use the seat as part of a travel system, and will be moving vehicles often, a baby car seat might be the best choice. However, if you're looking for a long-lasting car seat that can grow with your child into the stage of a booster seat the age of a convertible car seat may be the better choice.

Infant car seats are specifically made for babies and newborns and are designed to be used in the backwards facing position. This is the most secure choice for children who are small. They are also typically less expensive than convertible car seats, but they can have a shorter life span. Most seats will need to be changed once your child is at the weight or height limit (which will vary widely between seats) or if they reach the age limit.

Convertible Baby Seat seats, also known as all-in-one car seats as they are often called are designed to accommodate your infant from birth through their toddler years and on into their school age years. They are typically used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat and some can even be transformed into a booster seat.

A lot of the top convertible car seats designed for infants are equipped with a variety of features. They include a smooth rotating feature, a simple 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 simpler, while ensuring their children are safe and secure.

It is essential to ensure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your car, and that it has LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look for safety features, such as shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. If you're not sure what type of seat is right for your family, speak to a qualified car seat technician. They'll be able to guide about your choices and help you pick the best car seat for newborn seat for your newborn.

Safety

Always ensure that the model you select is safe and meets the strictest standards, whether you are shopping for convertible car seats, infant car seat or a travel system ready for your baby. This is particularly important for newborns as they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Look for a seat that has five-point safety harnesses that is attached between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will stop your child from being thrown out of the seat in case of an abrupt stop or crash.

You'll also want to look for a car seat that is secured to the vehicle by lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also come with top tethers, which will stop the seat from moving forward in a accident, and also obstructing the airway for children. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is right. Infants are prone to get trapped in a seat that is too upright.

It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the proper installation of your particular model. It's also a good idea to collaborate with an approved car seat inspection technician during pregnancy or after the birth of your child, as this expert can assist you to ensure that your installation is flawless every time.

The compatibility of strollers is a further aspect to take into consideration. If you plan to use a stroller often then you should think about an infant car seat and stroller combination that can be connected seamlessly. This is a great option for parents who are busy, since it makes it easy to transfer your child from the car to the stroller and vice versa while you run errands, or take an outing with the family.

Always place your seat on a solid surface (such as car seats or bases) and never on a soft one, such as a sofa or bed or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child being injured, or even killed. Unattended infant car seats on sale/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces could cause insuffocation.

Ease of Use

A car seat can only provide the best protection if it is used properly every time. Unfortunately, many car injuries to children's seats are caused by mistakes. Some of them include not following the manufacturer's instructions, improper installation and using products that are aftermarket and putting the child in the wrong position.

A quality infant car seat should have clear instructions for installation and features that help ensure proper usage. Certain brands, such as CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sounds that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is important as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat could be the cause of up to half of all car seat inserts for newborns seat-related injuries.

Also, be aware that you should never leave your infant in the car seat or a carrier, even if it is only for a few minutes. Unattended, a baby in a car seats newborn seat or carrier may fall on soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats can also slide over on their sides, leading to the death of a child.

The ideal infant car seat will depend on a number of factors, such as your lifestyle and the durability of the seat. A one-piece model is more affordable initially, but it may not work for smaller babies as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who intend to travel frequently and require a light, easy-to-install seat is a must, while urban dwellers will likely want an option that is easily installed without a base and can be used in taxis or Uber.

Furthermore, a seat that can be integrated with strollers is an excellent option for parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry around town or on flight. This is especially true if you plan to commute via public transport often and live in a major city. Many seats can be attached to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, simple journeys. Lastly, you should be attentive to the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections, as they aren't often found in the majority of models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats can also click into a stroller travel system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it simple to move a baby who is sleeping from your car to a stroller even in bad conditions and at night. Make sure to secure the seat prior to taking off. It's unsafe to leave it in the car, or even on the road. Your child may be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.

Infant car seats are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, with comfortable and secure fit and plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They are usually lighter than convertible car seats which makes them more convenient to carry over short distances. Most infant car seats are designed to be used rear-facing and are endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for young children.

However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Most children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and a year. You might have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible version sooner than you thought.

A great infant car seat will come with straps for harnesses that lie flat against the child's chest, and also over their hips with the chest clip at armpit level and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts that allow parents to attain the ideal fit.

It is important to keep in mind that when straps are loose or unfastened, babies can be strangled. It's also not safe to leave a 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 of 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 experience will help you select the right seat for both your child and your vehicle.