Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant car seat is the safest choice for newborns. It is crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The car seat's base should be a bit reclined which helps to naturally keep the baby's head in a forward position and keep their the chin away from their chest, reducing the risk of positional asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats for newborns. There are two kinds of car seats for infants: an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have their advantages and disadvantages However, it depends on your the individual preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you want to utilize the seat as part of an overall travel system and you will be changing vehicles often and frequently, then an infant car seat might be more suitable. If, however, you prefer the idea of an extremely durable car seat that will grow with your child until an adult booster seat and beyond the age of a convertible car seat may be better.
Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns and are used in the rear-facing position, which is the safest way to travel for little ones. These seats are typically cheaper, but they have a shorter life span than convertible car seat. They will most likely require replacement once your child has reached their weight or height limits (which can vary widely between seats) or if they exceed their age group.
Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one car seats are designed to transport your baby from birth through their toddler years and even into their school years. Some of them can be used as a forward-facing seat or a rear-facing one.
infant car seat travel of the best convertible car seats for infants will have a range of features. They include a smooth rotating feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base made of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. Parents love these features because they make getting their children in and out of the seat easier, while ensuring that their children are kept comfortable and safe.
When choosing a car seat, you need to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, such as shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. If you're unsure about the type of car seat that is right for your family, speak to a qualified car seat technician. They will guide you through the options and help you pick the appropriate seat for your child.
Safety
If you're looking for a car seat for your infant convertible car seat, baby-ready travel systems it is important be sure that the one you choose is safe and meets strict safety standards. This is particularly important for newborns, as they weigh less and are smaller than older children. Look for a seat that has a five-point safety harness that attaches between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This will stop your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of an abrupt stop or crash.
It is recommended to look for a seat that can be secured to the vehicle by either lower anchors or a seat belts, and has an upper tether that stops the car seat from moving forward in the event of a crash, and possibly obstructing breathing of the child. Be sure that the recline angle is in line as well, since newborns are often trapped in a car seat that's too high up.
The most important thing is to follow all manufacturer's guidelines regarding the proper installation of the model you have chosen. It's recommended to consult a certified car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child. this professional can help you get the perfect installation every time.
Another aspect to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you plan to frequently use your stroller you should consider an infant car and stroller combo that clicks seamlessly together. This is a great option for busy parents as it allows them to effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller to the car and vice versa when they're doing on errands.
Finally, always place your seat on solid surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces, such as couches or beds or a couch, as these could cause the seat to tip over, potentially causing injury or even death to your child. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces could cause suffocation.
User-Friendliness
A car seat can only provide the best protection in the event that it is used correctly every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries involving car seats are caused by errors. These include not following product instructions, not installing properly and use of aftermarket accessories and putting the child in an improper position.
To minimize the risk of a mistake, a quality infant car seat for newborns is one that has 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 to confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial as 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 let your baby out of the car seat of an infant or a baby carrier out of your vehicle, even for a short duration. A baby left unattended in a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces, such as couches or beds and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats can also slide over on their sides, leading to 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 models are cheaper initially however they might not fit smaller infants as well, and are less flexible than a convertible or a booster car seat. A lightweight, easy to install seat is crucial for parents who frequently travel. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat that can be put in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
Additionally, a seat that integrates with strollers could be an excellent option for parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they have to carry around town, or during airplane flights. This is true when you plan to travel on public transportation frequently and live in a major city. A lot of seats can be attached to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, comfortable commutes. Also, be attentive to the installation of your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections since they are not common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats click into a stroller travel system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it easy to transfer a sleeping baby from your car to a stroller, even in rainy conditions and at night. Make sure to put the seat in the stroller before you leave. Letting it in the car or on the street isn't secure and could let your child leave the stroller without supervision, which could lead to injuries.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for newborns and babies who are smaller. They have a snug and secure fit, and plenty of padding to ensure comfort and security. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry over short distances. The majority of infant car seats can be used rear-facing which is the preferred position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Children usually outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you may need to upgrade to convertible car seats sooner than you anticipated.
A great infant car seat will come with straps for harnesses that lie flat against the child's chest and across their hips and the chest clip at armpit level and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts that help parents attain the ideal fit.
When choosing an infant car seat, it is important to be aware that children can be strangled if the straps become loose or unfastened. It's also risky to allow a child to be in a car with no supervision. Select a seat with the ability to lock off your vehicle, or with an inbuilt locking mechanism.
Our experts test car seats to make sure they're fitted with the highest safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone else and is with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford who is a Senior Review Analyst who has been testing seats since the year 2016. Our team's knowledge and expertise help you find the right seat for your child and your vehicle.