Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For infants with an infant car seats by age seat that is rear-facing is the best option. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it can lead to injury or death, so it is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing.

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

Types

When it comes to choosing the best car seat (recommended you read) for infants, there are two main kinds to be considered. There are two kinds of car seats that are suitable for infants such as an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but it really is a matter of the individual preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you intend to use the seat as a part of an overall travel system and you'll be moving between vehicles frequently and frequently, then an infant car seat might be more suitable. If you are looking for a car seat that will grow with your child and become a booster or go beyond an adult, a convertible car seats newborn seat is the best choice.

Infant car seats are specifically designed for newborns and babies and are used in 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. They will most likely need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight or height limits (which can differ widely between seats) or when they exceed their age group.

Convertible baby chairs, or all-in-one car seats as they are sometimes referred to, are designed to take your infant car seat best from birth up through their toddler years and into their school age years. Some of them can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.

A lot of the top convertible car seats designed for infants will come with a variety of features. They include a smooth-rotation feature, a simple harness adjustment and a base made of EPS foam that is similar to Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their babies in and out of the car seat easier, while also ensuring their children are kept comfortable and safe.

When choosing a car seat, it's essential to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, like shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. Consult a qualified car seat specialist if you are unsure about which seat is right for your family. They'll be able to guide you through your options and help you choose the best seat for your newborn.

Safety

It is essential to ensure that the model you select is safe and meets the strictest standards, whether you're looking for a convertible car seat, infant car seat or a travel system for your baby. This is especially important for newborns, as they are lighter and smaller than older children. Find a seat that has a five-point safety harness that can be stowed between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This helps secure your child and prevents them from being thrown from the seat in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

You should also look for a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which stops the seat from advancing in a crash, and obstructing the airway for children. Be sure that the recline angle is in line, too, as newborns are prone to getting trapped in a seat that's too upright.

It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for proper installation of your model. It is a good idea to check with a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or shortly after the birth of your baby. This professional can ensure a perfect installation.

Another aspect to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you are planning to use a stroller often you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combination that clicks together seamlessly. This is a great choice for parents who are busy as it allows them to easily transfer their baby from the stroller to their car and vice versa, while doing on errands.

Finally, always make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces like couches or beds or a couch, as these could cause the seat to tip over, potentially injuring or even killing your child. In the event that you leave your baby's infant or baby's car seat or carrier unsupervised on soft surfaces could result in death by suffocation.

Ease of Use

A car seat will only offer the most effective protection when it is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries in car seats result from mistakes. A few of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, improper installation or using products from aftermarket, and putting the child into a wrong position.

A high-quality car seat for infants will come with clear instructions for installation and features that ensure proper use. Some brands, such as CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have shown incorrect use of car seats could be the cause of up to half of all injuries related to car seats.

It is also important to remember that you should not leave your child in the car seat of an infant or a baby carrier out of your vehicle even for a brief time. If a child is left unattended, the safety seat could fall and land on soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats can also slide over their sides, resulting in the death of a child.

The ideal infant car seat depends on many factors, including your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. All-in-one seats are less expensive up front, but they may not be able to accommodate smaller babies as well and be less flexible than a booster or convertible car seat. A lightweight, easy to install seat is vital for parents who frequently travel. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat which can be put in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle without the base.

A seat that is connected to strollers is a great choice for new parents who are looking to minimize the amount of luggage they carry in town or on airplane flights. This is especially applicable if you reside in a city and plan to take public transport frequently since many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller for easy, quick journeys. Additionally, you must be attentive to the ease of putting in your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections, as these are less commonly found in many models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats can also be connected to a stroller system to create an all-inclusive child safety solution. This makes it much easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Make sure to ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller before you leave. 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, featuring snug and secure fits and plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seats which makes them easier to transport over short distances. Most infant car seats are made to be used rear facing which is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for children in the early years.

They have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. In general, children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and one year. This means that you could need to upgrade to convertible car seats earlier than you expected.

A good infant car safety seat should have a strap that is flat against the child's chest, over their hips and with the chest clip positioned at the child’s armpit. The crotch buckle must be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts that assist parents to maintain the recommended fit.

It is important to keep in mind that straps that are loose or unfastened, babies can be strangled. It's also unsafe to leave a child unattended in a car seat, so make sure you choose one with an option to lock off your vehicle or an integrated lock.

The car seats we test are engineered to offer the best safety features possible. Bob Hoffman, Senior Review Editor of Consumer Reports, has the most experience with 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 the year 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge will assist you in choosing the best car seat for your child and vehicle.