Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant seat is the safest option for infants. Using a car seat incorrectly could cause injuries or even death, therefore it is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing.

The base of the car seat needs to be slightly retracted. This will help keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, reducing the risk for positional asphyxia.

Types

When selecting the best car seat for infants There are two main types to consider. There are two types of car seats for newborns: an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It all is a matter of preference and how the seat will be utilized. If you plan to use the seat as part of an auto travel system and you will be changing vehicles often, a baby car seat might be better suited. If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your child and become a booster or even beyond the age of a convertible seat, it is the best car seat infant option.

Infant car seats are specifically designed for babies and infants and are always used with the backwards facing position. This is the safest option for traveling with small children. These seats are typically less expensive but have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. The majority of seats need to be replaced once your child is at the maximum weight or height (which will vary widely between seats), or if their age is reached.

Convertible baby seats, also known as all-in-one car seat as they are sometimes referred to are designed to carry your infant from birth through their toddler years, and even into their school age years. Some can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing one.

A lot of the top car seats for newborns can be converted and come with a range of features, like a smooth rotation function, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS, which is basically Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their babies in and out of the seat much easier, while ensuring that their children are safe and secure.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's important to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, such as shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. Get a certified car seat expert if you are unsure about which seat is right for your family. They'll be able to talk you through your choices and help you pick the right seat for your baby.

Safety

If you're looking for a baby car seat 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 especially crucial for infants since they are smaller and more delicate than older children. Find a seat that has five-point harnesses that are attached to the shoulders below (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This will secure your child, preventing them from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.

It is also recommended to find a car seat that can be secured to the vehicle by lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also have top tethers, which stops the seat from advancing in a collision, and blocking the airway of a child. Be sure that the recline angle is right, too, as newborns are often trapped in a seat that is too high up.

It is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the proper installation of your car seat. It is a good idea to consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or right after the birth of your baby. A qualified professional can ensure the perfect installation.

Another thing to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you plan to use a stroller often, consider an infant car seat and stroller combination that can be connected seamlessly. This is a great option for parents with busy schedules as it allows them to easily transfer their baby from the stroller into the car and vice versa while doing errands.

Also, make sure you place your seat on solid surfaces (like car seat bases or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces, such as a bed or sofa as they can cause the seat to tip over, possibly injuring or even killing your child. In the event of an infant or baby's seat being left unattended, it could cause on soft surfaces could cause insuffocation.

Easy to Use

A car seat will only provide the best protection when it is properly used each time. Unfortunately, a significant number of injuries involving car seats are caused by mistakes. This includes not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installation and use of aftermarket accessories and putting the child into the wrong position.

To reduce the chance of a mistake, a quality infant car seat for newborns will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that allow you to ensure correct usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important as studies have shown that incorrect use of a car seat is responsible for as much as 50% of injuries caused by car seats.

It is important to be aware that you should never leave your infant in the car seat or in a carrier, even if it is just for a few minutes. If left unattended, a child in a safety car seat or carrier could fall on soft surfaces like couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats could also tip over on their sides, resulting in suffocation.

The ideal infant car seat that swivels car seat is determined by many aspects, such as your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. All-in-one car seats are less expensive initially however they may not suit smaller infants as well and be less flexible than a convertible or booster car seat. For parents who plan to travel often an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must, while urban dwellers are likely to require seats that can be easily installed without a base and can be used in a taxi or Uber.

Additionally, a seat that integrates with strollers could be an excellent option for parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they'll need to carry around town, or during plane flights. This is especially relevant if you live in a city and intend to take public transport frequently since many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller for easy, quick commuting. Also, pay close attention to the installation of your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tethers, as these are less common in most models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems that allow you to design a an entire solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it much easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Be sure to ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car or on the streets isn't secure and could allow your baby to exit the seat without supervision, which could lead to injuries.

Infant car seats are made specifically for newborns and smaller infants, featuring comfortable and secure fit with plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry on short trips. Most portable infant car seat car seats are made to be used rear-facing and are endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for young children.

However they are less durable than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you could require convertible car seats earlier than you expected.

A safe infant car seat will include a strap that is flat against the chest of the child over their hips, and with the chest clip placed at the child’s armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts to help parents maintain this recommended fit.

It is important to keep in mind that when straps are unfastened or loose the baby could be strangled. It's also dangerous to let a child ride in a car without supervision. Select a car seat that has a lockoff function for your vehicle, or with an integrated locking mechanism.

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