Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

For infants with a rear-facing infant car seat is the most secure option. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it could cause injuries or even death, so it's essential to follow instructions of the manufacturer when installing.

The base of the car seat should be a bit reclined which helps to naturally keep 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 kinds to be considered. A car seat for infants and convertible baby car seats. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but it really comes down to personal preference and how you plan on using the seat. If you plan to use the seat in an auto travel system and you will be changing vehicles often, a baby seat car seat could be the best choice. If, however, you would prefer a long-lasting car Seat For newborn seat that grows with your child into the stage of a booster seat then an convertible car seat for newborn seat could be the better choice.

Car seats for infants are specially designed for babies and infants and are used in the backwards facing position. This is the most secure choice for children who are small. They are also generally cheaper than convertible car seats, but they can have a shorter lifespan. They will most likely require replacement once your child is at their weight or height limits (which may differ between seats) or if they exceed their age group limit.

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

A lot of the top rated infant car seats car seats for infants are convertible and have various features, like smooth rotation with easy harness adjustment, and an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. These features are a favorite among parents as they make it easier to take their infants in and out of their seats, while still ensuring their child is comfortable and safe.

When choosing a car seat, you need to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, including shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. If you're unsure about which type of seat is the best car seat fit for your family, speak to a certified car seat technician. They can help you navigate the options and help you pick the best car seats newborn seat for your child.

Safety

Always ensure that the product you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, no matter if you're looking for convertible car seats or infant car seat, or a travel system ready for your baby. This is especially important for newborns as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Find a seat that has a five-point harness that attaches below the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) and between the legs and around the crotch. This will prevent your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

If you want to be sure, look for an item that is connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or a seat belts, and has a top tether that prevents the car seat from moving forward during the event of a crash, and possibly obstructing breathing of the child. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is in the right direction. Infants are prone to get stuck 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 seek out a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or immediately after the birth of your baby. A qualified professional can ensure the perfect installation.

Compatibility with strollers is another aspect to take into consideration. If you plan to use your stroller frequently, consider an infant car and stroller combination that works seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for busy parents, as it is simple to move your child from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking a family walk.

Always use your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and do not place it on soft ones, such as couches or beds, as these can cause the seat to tip over, possibly causing injury or even death to your child. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces may also cause suffocation.

Easy of Use

The best protection is only possible when the car seat is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a lot of car seat injuries are caused by mistakes. A few of these are not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations and using products that are aftermarket and putting the child into an incorrect position.

To reduce the chance of a mistake, a quality infant car seat will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that help to ensure correct usage. Certain brands, such as CYBEX, even have visual indicators and click sounds that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is important as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat could be responsible for up to half of all injuries caused by car seats.

Also, remember that you must never leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier even if it's just for a few minutes. A baby left unattended in a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces, such as couches or beds which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also slide over on their sides, leading to an inability to breathe.

Selecting the right infant car seat for your baby depends on many factors, such as lifestyle and longevity. A all-in-one model may be cheaper upfront but might not be suitable for smaller infants as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. If parents intend to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to require seats that can be easily installed without the base and in taxis or Uber.

A seat that can be integrated with strollers could be an ideal option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry around town, or during airplane flights. This is especially true in the event that you intend to commute on public transportation frequently and live in a big city. A lot of seats can be paired with UPPAbaby's strollers to facilitate comfortable commuting. Lastly, you should be attentive to the ease of installing your chosen seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections as these are less common in most models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats be connected to a stroller system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it much easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Always secure the seat before taking off. It's unsafe to leave it in your car or on the street. Your child could be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.

Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants who are smaller. They have a snug 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 on short trips. The majority of infant car seats are designed to be used rear facing and are endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for infants and toddlers.

They have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. In general, children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and one year. You may need to upgrade your car seat to a convertible version sooner than you thought.

A safe infant car seat will have a strap flat against the child’s chest as well as over their hips with the chest clip placed on the child's armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts that help parents achieve the recommended fit.

It is important to keep in mind that straps that are unfastened or loose, babies can be strangled. It is also dangerous to allow a child to be in a car with no supervision. Select a seat with a lockoff function for your vehicle, or one with an integrated locking mechanism.

Our experts test car seats to make sure they're equipped with the most safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring expertise than anyone on the planet, and he's joined by the mother of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford, a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since the year 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge can help you find the perfect seat for your child as well as your vehicle.