Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For infants who are rear-facing, a rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option. It is essential 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, decreasing the risk of positioning asphyxia.

Types

When selecting a car seat for newborns there are two primary kinds to be considered. There are two kinds of car seats for newborns such as an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have advantages and drawbacks however it all comes down to personal preference and the way you intend to use the seat. If you intend to use the seat in an automobile travel system, and will be changing vehicles frequently, an infant car seat may be the better choice. If you're looking for an automobile seat that will develop with your child as they become a booster or go beyond, a convertible seat is the best option.

Car seats for infants are specially designed for babies and infants and are always used with the reverse facing position. This is the most secure travel option for small children. They are generally less expensive but have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. The majority of seats need to be replaced when your child is at the limit of their weight or height (which will vary widely between seats) or if their age group is reached.

Convertible car seats, also referred to as all-in-one seats are designed to take your baby from birth through their toddler years, and even into their school years. They are typically used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat, and some may be converted into a booster seat.

Many of the best car seat car seats for infants are convertible and will have many features, including a smooth rotation function as well as a simple harness adjustment. an foam base made of EPS, which is essentially Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their infants in and out of the seat much easier, while also ensuring their children are safe and secure.

It is important to ensure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your vehicle and that it has LATCH for easy installation. You should also check the safety features like shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. If you're not sure which type of seat is right for your family, speak to a certified car seat technician. They can help you navigate the options and help you pick the right seat for your baby.

Safety

It is essential to ensure that the model you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, no matter if you are looking for convertible car seats or infant car seat best car seat, or a travel system for your infant. This is especially crucial for infants as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Look for the seat with a five-point safety harness that is attached between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This will prevent your child from being thrown out of the seat in the event of an abrupt stop or crash.

You'll also want to look for a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which will stop the seat from moving forward in a crash, and obstructing a child's airway. Make sure the recline angle is right also, as infants are often trapped in a seat that is too upright.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding proper installation for your particular model. It's also a good idea to consult a certified car seat inspector during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child, as the expert will help you ensure that your installation is flawless every time.

The compatibility of strollers is a further factor to think about. If you intend to use your stroller often then you should think about an infant car seat For Newborn and stroller set-up that works seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for busy parents, as it is easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa while running errands or taking an outing with the family.

Always place your seat on a hard surface (such as car seats or bases) and never on a soft one, such as a sofa or bed, as this can cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured or even dying. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier unattended on soft surfaces could cause suffocation.

Simple to Use

The best protection is possible if the car seat is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries involving car seats result from mistakes. These include not following the product instructions, improper installation and use of aftermarket accessories and putting the child into the wrong position.

A good infant car seat will have clear instructions for installation as well as features that will to ensure proper usage. Certain brands, such as CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sound that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have shown incorrect use of car seats is the cause of up to half of all injuries related to car seats.

You should also keep in mind that you should not leave your infant in the car seat or in a carrier even if it's just for a few minutes. Unattended, a baby in a safety car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces like couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats can also slide over on their sides, resulting in suffocation.

Choosing the best infant seat infant car seats newborn seat for your baby is based on a variety of factors including the type of lifestyle and longevity. An all-in-one model can be less expensive initially, but may not work for smaller babies as well and is less flexible than a convertible car seat or booster. If parents intend to travel frequently and require a light, easy-to-install seat is essential, while urban dwellers are likely to require a seat that can be easily installed without the base and then in taxis or Uber.

A seat that can be attached to strollers is ideal option for parents with a newborn who are looking to minimize the amount they have to carry around the city or on plane flights. This is especially true in the event that you intend to commute on public transportation frequently and live in a big city. Many seats can be paired with UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, and simple commutes. Be sure to be aware of how simple it is to install your preferred seat on vehicles with no lower anchors or tether connectors because they aren't as popular.

Convenience

Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems, allowing you to create an entire solution for child safety. This makes it simple to transfer a sleeping baby from your car to a stroller even in bad weather and at night. Just make sure you always secure the seat in the stroller before you drive off. It's unsafe to leave it in your car or on the street. Your baby could be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.

Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants who are smaller. They offer a comfortable and secure fit and plenty of padding to ensure comfort and security. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seats, making them easier to transport over 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.

However they are less durable than convertible car seats. Most children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and a year. It is possible that you will need to upgrade your car seat to a convertible model earlier than you anticipated.

A quality 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 the armpit level, and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to help parents get the perfect fit.

When selecting an infant car seat, it is important to remember that babies could be trapped if the straps are loose or not secured. It's also not safe to leave your child unattended in a car seat therefore, choose a seat that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle, or a built-in lock.

The car seats our experts test are engineered to offer the highest level of safety. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring expertise than anyone else on the planet and is with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and Abriah Wofford, a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's expertise and experience will help you select the best seat for your child and vehicle.