Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant car seat is the most safest option for infants. Incorrectly using a car seat for newborn seat could result in injuries or even death, therefore it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing.

The car seat's base should be a little reclined which aids in keeping the baby's head tucked back and chin off their chest decreasing the risk of positioning asphyxia.

Types

When selecting a car seat for newborns, there are two main types to take into consideration. There are two kinds of car seats for infants that include an infant car seat for travel car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have pros and cons. It is a matter of preference and how the seat will be utilized. If you intend to utilize the seat as part of an overall travel system and will be switching between vehicles often the infant car seat might be the best choice. If you are looking for a car seat that can develop with your child as they become a booster or beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best option.

rotating infant car seat cars seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns and are used in the rear-facing position, which is the safest method for traveling for small babies. They are also cheaper than convertible car seats, but may have a shorter lifespan. They will most likely require replacement once your child is at their weight limit or height (which can differ widely between seats) or if they reach the top of their age-group limit.

Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one seats are designed to transport your infant from their birth to their toddler years, and on into their school years. They can be used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat and some can even be converted into a booster seat.

A lot of the top car seats for infants are convertible and will have a range of features, like a smooth rotation function with easy harness adjustment, and an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents because they make it easier to take their infants in and out of their seats while ensuring that their child is secure and comfortable.

It is important to ensure that the car seat you select is compatible with your vehicle, and also that it comes with LATCH that allows for quick and easy installation. It is also important to check for safety features such as shock-absorbent material and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat specialist if you are unsure which seat is the best one for your family. They can help you navigate the options and help you pick the appropriate seat for your child.

Safety

Always ensure whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, no matter if you're looking for convertible car seats or an infant car seat a travel system ready for your infant. This is especially important for newborns as they are smaller and more delicate than older children. Look for a seat with a five-point harness that is attached below the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) and between the legs and around the crotch. This secures your child, stopping them from being thrown out of the seat during a crash or sudden stop.

Ideally, you'll also seek out an item that is connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or a seat belts, and also has a top tether that prevents the car seat from moving forward during a crash and potentially obstructing the child's breathing. 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.

Most importantly, be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding the proper installation of the model you have chosen. It's also a good idea to work with an approved car seat inspector during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child, as this professional can help you ensure that your installation is flawless every time.

It is also a aspect to take into consideration. If you intend to use a stroller often, consider an infant car seat and stroller combo that can be connected seamlessly. This is a great choice for parents with a busy schedule, since it is simple to move your child from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking strolls with the family.

Finally, always place your seat on solid surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and do not place it on soft surfaces like a bed or sofa or a couch, as these could cause the seat to tip over, possibly injuring or even killing your child. Infant/baby carriers that are not properly secured or supervised on soft surfaces may also cause the suffocation of your child.

Easy of Use

The most effective protection is only possible if the car seat is utilized correctly every time. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries in car seats involve errors. These include not following the product instructions, incorrect installation and use of aftermarket accessories and putting the child in an incorrect position.

A quality infant car seat will have clear instructions for installation and features that ensure proper use. Certain brands, such as CYBEX, even have visual indicators and click sound that assure that the seat is fitted correctly. This is important because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat could be responsible for as much as 50% of all car seat-related injuries.

It is important to remember that you must never leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier even if it's only for a few minutes. Unsupervised, a baby in a safety car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injuries or even death. The seats could also tip over on their sides, leading to the death of a child.

Choosing the best infant car seat for your infant is dependent on a variety of factors, such as lifestyle and longevity. All-in-one models are cheaper in the beginning however they may not fit smaller infants as well, and are less flexible than a convertible or booster car seat. For parents who are planning to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must, while urban dwellers will likely want seats that can be easily installed without a base and can be used in taxis or Uber.

A seat that can be attached to strollers is excellent option for families who are looking to minimize the amount of baggage they need to carry in the city or on plane flights. This is especially applicable if you reside in a city and intend to take public transport frequently and many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for simple, easy commuting. It is important to be aware of how easy it is to put your chosen seat on vehicles without lower anchors or tether connectors, since they are not as common.

Convenience

Many cheap infant car seats car seats click into a stroller travel system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it easy to move a sleepy baby from your car to a stroller even in bad weather and at night. Always secure the seat before leaving the car. If you leave it in the car or in the street isn't a good idea and could let your child exit the seat unattended, which could lead to injuries.

Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and smaller infants, with comfortable and secure fit and plenty of padding for comfort and safety. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry over short distances. Most baby car seats can be used rear-facing this is the recommended position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Typically, children outgrow their infant car seats between nine months and a year. This means that you could require a convertible car seat sooner than expected.

A good infant car safety seat will have a strap flat against the chest of the child, over their hips and with the chest clip positioned on the child's armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child's thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to aid parents in maintaining the recommended fit.

When selecting a baby car seat, it's important to be aware that babies can be trapped if the straps are loose or are not fastened. It's also not safe to leave a child unattended in a car seat so choose one that has an option to lock off your vehicle or a built-in lock.

Our experts test car seats to ensure they're equipped with the most safety features. 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 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge will help you choose the right seat for both your child and vehicle.