Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For newborns with a rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option. Using a car seat incorrectly can lead to injury or death, so it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions 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 chance of asphyxia from a position.

Types

There are two types of car seats that are suitable for infants. There are two types of car seats for infants: an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have pros and cons. It is a matter of personal preference and the way in which the seat is used. If you intend to use the seat in an auto travel system and will be moving vehicles often, a baby car seat might be better suited. If, however, you're looking for a durable car seat that can grow with your child to the stage of a booster seat the age of a convertible car seat may be better.

Infant car seats are specifically designed for newborns and babies and are designed to be used in the backwards facing position. This is the most secure option for traveling with small children. They are also generally less expensive than convertible car seats, but may have a shorter lifespan. They are most likely to need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight limit or height (which may differ between seats) or when they reach the top of their age-group limit.

Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one car seats, are designed to carry your infant from their birth to their toddler years, and on into their school years. Some of them can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.

A lot of the top convertible car seats for newborns will come with a variety of features. They include a smooth rotation feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base constructed of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. These features are well-liked by parents due to the fact that they make it simpler to take their infants in and out of their seats, while ensuring that their child is safe and comfortable.

It is important to ensure that the car seat you choose is compatible with your car, and it also has 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. If you're unsure about what type of seat is best car seats for your family, talk to an experienced car seat technician. They can guide you through the choices and help you select the right seat for your baby.

Safety

Always ensure whether the model you choose is safe and meets the strictest standards, regardless of whether you're looking for convertible car seats or an infant car seat (supplemental resources) an infant travel system that is ready for your infant carrier seat. This is especially crucial for infants as they are lighter and smaller than older children. Look for seats that have a five-point safety harness that is attached between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will prevent your child from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

You should also consider a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include an upper tether that prevents the seat from advancing in a crash, and obstructing the airway for children. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is right. Infants can easily become stuck in a seat that is too upright.

Most importantly, be sure to follow all manufacturer's guidelines regarding the proper installation of your specific model. It is recommended to work with a certified car seat inspector during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child, since the expert will help you ensure that your installation is flawless every time.

Another thing to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you are planning to frequently use a stroller, consider an infant car seat and stroller combination that clicks together seamlessly. This is an excellent option for parents with busy schedules as it allows them to effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller to their car and vice versa, while running around doing errands.

Always make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like car seat bases or a car) and never place it on soft ones such as couches or beds, as these can cause the seat to tip over, possibly injuring or even killing your child. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier unsupervised on soft surfaces may lead to suffocation.

Easy of Use

The best protection is only possible if the car seat is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries involving car seats result from mistakes. Some of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations, using aftermarket products, and putting the child in the wrong position.

A quality car seat for infants will come with clear instructions for installing and features that will ensure proper usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have proven that improper use of a car seat can be responsible for up to half of all car seat-related injuries.

It is also important to keep in mind that you should not leave your child in the car seat of an infant or in a carrier out of your vehicle, even for a short period of time. If left unattended, a child in a safety car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces such as couches or beds and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also tip over on their sides, leading to an inability to breathe.

The ideal infant car seats on sale car seat depends on several factors, including your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. A all-in-one model may be more affordable initially, but it might not be suitable for smaller infants as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. If parents are planning to travel frequently, a lightweight, easy-to-install seat is essential and urban dwellers will likely want seats that can be easily installed without the base and in a taxi or Uber.

Additionally, a seat that can be integrated with strollers can be an ideal option for new parents who wish to reduce the amount of equipment they need to carry around town or on flight. This is particularly applicable if you reside in a city and plan to frequent public transportation and many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller for easy, quick commuting. It is important to pay attention to how easy it is to put your preferred seat on vehicles without lower anchors or tether connectors, since they are not as common.

Convenience

Many infant car seats be connected to a stroller system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Just make sure you always secure the seat in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car or on the street isn't safe and can let your child exit the seat without supervision which could cause injury.

Infant car seats are designed for babies and infants who are smaller. They offer a comfortable and secure fit, and plenty of padding to ensure comfort and security. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. The majority of infant car seats are made to be used rear-facing, which is endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for young children.

They have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you might need to upgrade to a convertible car seat sooner than expected.

A good infant car safety seat should have a strap flat against the chest of the child over their hips, and with the chest clip placed on 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's important to remember that when straps are loose or unfastened, babies can be strangled. It's also dangerous to leave a child in a car without a guardian. Choose a seat that has an option to lock off your vehicle, or with an integrated locking mechanism.

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 He's joined by mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and Abriah Wofford who is a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since the year 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will help you choose the best car seat for your child and your vehicle.