Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant seat is the safest choice for infants. It's vital to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.

The car seat's base should be a little reclined which aids in keeping the baby's head tucked back and the chin away from their chest, reducing the risk of positional asphyxia.

Types

There are two kinds of car seats suitable for infants. There are two types of car seats that are suitable for infants that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and drawbacks, but it really depends on your personal preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you are planning to use the seat in a travel system, and you will be changing vehicles often, an infant car seat could be the best car seat for newborn choice. If you would prefer a long-lasting car seat that can grow with your child into a booster seat and beyond, then 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 reverse facing position. This is the safest choice for children who are small. They are also typically less expensive than convertible seats but can have a shorter life span. Most will need to be replaced when 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, or all-in-one car seats, as they are often referred to, are designed to take your baby from birth through their toddler years and on into their school age years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing seat or a rear-facing seat.

A lot of the top convertible car seats for newborns will come with a variety of features. These include a smooth rotating feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base constructed of EPS foam, which is similar to Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents because they make it simpler to get their infants into and out of their seats, while still ensuring their child is comfortable and safe.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's important to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. It is also important to check for safety features, such as shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. If you're uncertain about which type of seat is best car seats for your family, speak to a certified car seat technician. They'll be able to talk you through your choices and help you pick the right seat for your newborn car seat.

Safety

Whether you're shopping for a baby car seat, convertible car seat or baby-friendly travel systems, you need to make sure that the product you select meets the strictest safety standards. This is especially important for newborns as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Look for a seat with a five-point harness that is attached to the shoulders below (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) and between the legs and around the crotch. This will secure your child and prevents them from being thrown out of the seat in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

You should also find a car seat that can be connected to your vehicle with lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which prevents the seat from advancing in a collision, and blocking a child's airway. Be sure that the recline angle is in line as well, since newborns are prone to getting trapped in a seat that's too high up.

It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure the proper installation of your particular model. It's a good idea to consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or immediately after the birth of your child. A professional can guarantee a perfect installation.

The compatibility of strollers is a further factor to consider. If you intend to use your stroller often then you should think about an infant car and stroller combo that connects seamlessly. This is an excellent option for parents with busy schedules because it lets them easily transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa, while doing on errands.

Always place your seat on a hard surface (such as car seats or bases) and never on a soft one, such as the bed or sofa or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child being injured, or even dying. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces may also cause suffocation.

Easy to Use

A car seat will only offer the most effective protection if it is used properly every time. Unfortunatelly, many car injuries to children's seats are caused by mistakes. These include not following the product instructions, improper installation or using accessories from aftermarket, and placing the child in an incorrect position.

A quality car seat for infants will come with clear instructions for installing and features that to ensure proper usage. Certain brands, like CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to ensure that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important because studies have shown incorrect use of car seats could be responsible for up to half of all injuries related to car seats.

It is also crucial to remember to not leave your child in the car seat of an infant or carrier in a vehicle even for a short duration. If a child is left unattended, a safety seat can fall and land on soft surfaces, like beds or couches which can cause serious injuries or death. The seats can also slide over their sides and cause suffocation.

The ideal infant car seat depends on several factors, such as your lifestyle and the durability of the seat. All-in-one car seats are less expensive up front however they might not be able to accommodate smaller babies as well and be less versatile than a convertible or a booster car seat. For parents who intend to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must, while urban dwellers are likely to want a seat that can be easily installed without the base and in a taxi or Uber.

Furthermore, a seat that is compatible with strollers is an excellent option for parents who wish to reduce the amount of equipment they have to carry around town, or during airplane flights. This is particularly relevant if you live in a city, and plan to take public transport frequently since many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for simple, easy journeys. Additionally, you must be aware of the ease of installing your chosen seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections since they are not common in most models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems which allows you to create an entire solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it simple to move a sleepy baby from your car to a stroller even in rainy weather or at night. Just make sure you always ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller before you drive off. If you leave it in the car or on the street isn't secure and could allow your baby to exit the stroller without supervision and could result in injuries.

infant car seat that swivels car seats are specifically designed for newborns and infants who are smaller. They have a snug and secure fit, and plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry on short trips. Most infant car seats are made to be used rear-facing and are endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for young children.

However they are less durable than convertible car seats. Children usually outgrow their infant seats between nine months and one year. You may require upgrading your car seat to a convertible one sooner than you thought.

A safe infant car seat should have a strap flat against the child’s chest as well as over their hips with the chest clip located on the child's armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts to assist parents to maintain this recommended fit.

It's important to remember that if the straps are unfastened or loose the baby seat (about his) could be strangled. It's also not safe to leave your 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're equipped with the most 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 the year 2016. Our team's knowledge and expertise will help you choose the best infant seat seat for your child as well as your vehicle.