Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the safest choice for newborns. It's vital to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The base of the car seat needs to be slightly reclined. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chests, reducing the risk for positional asphyxia.
Types
When it comes to choosing a car seat suitable for infants, there are two main types to take into consideration. A car seat for infants and a convertible baby car seat. Both have pros and cons. It is a matter of preference and how the seat will be used. If you intend to use the seat as part of an itinerary and will be switching between vehicles often the 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 beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best choice.
Infant cars seats are designed specifically for newborns and infants and are designed to be used in the rear-facing position and are the safest way to travel for little babies. These seats are typically less expensive, but have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. They will most likely need to be replaced once your child has reached their weight limit or height (which can differ widely between seats) or if they reach the maximum of their age-group limit.
Convertible baby seats, also known as all-in-one car seats as they are often called are designed to carry your infant from birth up through their toddler years and on into their school age years. They can usually be used as a forward or rear-facing seat, and some may be transformed into a booster seat.
Many of the best car seats for newborns are convertible and will have a range of features, such as smooth rotation, easy harness adjustment and an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents due to the fact that they make it easier to get their infants into and out of their seats while ensuring that their child is safe and comfortable.
When selecting a car seat, it's important to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. It is also important to check for safety features like shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat specialist if are unsure about which seat is best for your family. They will guide you through the options and help you choose the best seat for your child.
Safety
If you're looking for an infant car seat, convertible car seat or baby-ready travel system it is important be sure that the one you choose is safe and meets strict safety standards. This is particularly important for babies since they are smaller and lighter than older children. Choose the seat with 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 will stop your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of an unexpected stop or crash.
It is recommended to seek out an item that is secured to the vehicle with either lower anchors or a seat belts, and also has the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward during an accident and could block the child's breathing. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Infants can easily become trapped in a seat that is too upright.
It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper installation of your particular 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. A professional can guarantee the perfect installation.
Another thing to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you are planning to use your stroller often then you should think about an infant car and stroller combination that clicks seamlessly together. This is a great choice for parents with a busy schedule, since it is easy to move your child from the car to the stroller and back when you're running errands or taking strolls with the family.
Always use your seat on a solid surface (such as a car seat or base) and not on a soft surface like beds or sofas or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured or even dying. If you leave your infant's or baby's seat or carrier unsupervised on soft surfaces could lead to death by suffocation.
Simple to Use
A car seat will only offer the most effective protection in the event that it is used correctly each time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries in car seats involve mistakes. A few of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations or using products from aftermarket, and placing the child in a wrong position.
To minimize the risk of error, a reliable infant car seat will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that make it easier to ensure proper usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have shown incorrect use of car seats can be responsible for as much as 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.
car seat for newborn is important to remember that you must never leave your infant in the car seat or a carrier, even if it is just for a few minutes. If a child is left unattended, a safety seat can fall and land on soft surfaces, such as couches or beds which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats can also slide over their sides and cause suffocation.
The best infant car seat is determined by a number of factors, such as your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. All-in-one seats are less expensive in the beginning however they might not fit smaller infants as well and may be less versatile than a convertible or a booster car seat. A lightweight, easy to install seat is crucial for parents who travel often. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat which can be used in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
A seat that can be attached to strollers is excellent option for families who want to reduce the amount of luggage they carry around town or on airplane flights. This is true when you plan to travel on public transportation frequently and reside in a large city. Many seats can be attached to strollers from UPPAbaby for simple, and simple commuting. Also, 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 often found in the majority of models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can be used with stroller travel systems that allow you to design a an entire solution for child safety. This makes it much easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Make sure to ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller before you leave. Letting it in the car or in the street isn't secure and could let your child exit the stroller without supervision and could result in injury.
Infant car seats are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, with snug and secure fits and plenty of padding for comfort and safety. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seats which makes them easier to transport over short distances. The majority of infant car seats can be used rear-facing, which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
They have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and one year. You may need to upgrade your car seat to a convertible version earlier than you anticipated.
A great infant car seat should have the strap for harness that sits flat against the child's chest and across their hips, with the chest clip located at the armpit level, and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts that allow parents to attain the ideal fit.
It is important to keep in mind that when straps are unfastened or loose children could be strangled. It's also unsafe to leave a child unattended in a car seat, so choose one that has the option of locking off your vehicle or an integrated lock.
Our experts test car seats to ensure they have the best safety features. 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 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will help you choose the best car seat for your child and your vehicle.