Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option for newborns. It is crucial to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.

The base of the car seat should be slightly pulled back. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chests, which will reduce the risk for positional asphyxia.

Types

When selecting a car seat suitable for infants there are two primary kinds to be considered. There are two types of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to your personal preference and how the seat will be used. If you want to use the seat as part of a travel system and you will be changing vehicles often the infant car seat could be the better choice. If you're looking for a car seat that will develop with your child as they become a booster or beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best option.

Infant car seats are specifically made for babies and newborns and are designed to be used in the reverse facing position. This is the safest option for traveling with small children. These seats are typically less expensive, but have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. They are most likely to need to be replaced once your child has reached their weight limit or height (which may differ between seats) or when they exceed their age-group limit.

Convertible car seats, also referred to as all-in-one car seats are designed to transport your infant from birth through their toddler years and even into their school years. They can usually be used as a forward or rear-facing seat, and some can be transformed into an adult booster seat.

Many of the best car seats for newborns can be converted and come with various features, including a smooth rotation function with easy harness adjustment, and an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. These features are well-liked by parents because they make it easier to get their infants into and out of their seats, while ensuring that their child is safe and comfortable.

When choosing a car seat, you need to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, like shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat expert if you are unsure which seat is right for your family. They can help you navigate the options and help you choose the right seat for your child.

Safety

If you're in the market for a baby car seat convertible car seat, baby-ready travel systems, you need be sure that the one you select meets the strictest safety standards. This is particularly crucial for infants since they are smaller and more delicate than older children. Find the seat with five-point safety harnesses that is attached between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This helps secure your child, preventing them from being thrown from the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.

It is recommended to look for an item that is connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or seat belts, and also has the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward in the event of a crash, and possibly obstructing breathing for the child. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is in the right direction. Infants can easily become trapped in a seat which is too forward.

It is essential to follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure the proper installation of your model. It's a good idea check with a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or immediately after the birth of your child. This professional can ensure a perfect installation.

The compatibility of strollers is a further factor to consider. If you plan to use your stroller often, consider an infant car and stroller combination that connects seamlessly. This is a great choice for parents with busy schedules because it lets them effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa, when they're running errands.

Always place your seat on solid surfaces (like car seat bases or a car) and never place it on soft ones, such as a bed or sofa, as these can cause the seat to tip over, potentially causing injury or even death to your child. Infant/baby carriers that are not properly secured or supervised on soft surfaces can cause the suffocation of your child.

User-Friendliness

The best protection is possible if the car seat is used correctly every time. Unfortunately, many car seat injuries are the result of errors. Some of them include not following the product instructions, incorrect installation, using aftermarket products, and putting the child into an incorrect position.

To reduce the chance of error, a reliable infant car seat is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that help to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, such as CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sound that confirm the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have shown incorrect use of car seats is responsible for up to 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.

Also, be aware that you should never leave your infant in a car seat or carrier, even if it is just for a short period of time. Unsupervised children in the safety seat could fall and land on soft surfaces like couches or beds, causing serious injury or death. The seats can also be flipped over onto their sides, leading to the death of a child.

The best infant car seat depends on many factors, such as your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. All-in-one models are cheaper up front however they might not be able to accommodate smaller babies as well and be less versatile than a booster or convertible car seat. A lightweight baby car seat, easy-to-install seat is vital for parents who travel frequently. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat which can be used in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle without the base.

A seat that can be integrated with strollers is an ideal option for new parents who wish to reduce the amount of equipment they have to carry around town or on plane flights. This is especially true if you plan to commute by public transport frequently and reside in a large city. Many seats can be connected to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, simple commuting. You should also pay attention to how easy it is to install your chosen seat on vehicles without lower anchors or tether connectors, because they aren't as popular.

Convenience

Many infant car seats click into a stroller travel infant car seat system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it much easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Make sure to secure the seat prior to driving off. Letting it in the car or in the street isn't a good idea and could allow your baby to exit the seat without supervision, which could lead to injuries.

Infant car seats are designed specifically for babies and infants with smaller sizes, offering comfortable and secure fit and lots of extra padding for comfort and safety. They tend to be lighter than convertible car seats, making them easier to transport over short distances. Most infant car seats are made to be used rear facing which is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for children in the early years.

However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Typically, children outgrow their portable infant car seat car seats between nine months and one year. This means that you might require convertible car seats earlier than expected.

A good infant car seat should have a harness strap that lies flat against the child's chest, and also over their hips and the chest clip located at armpit level and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to aid parents in maintaining the recommended fit.

When selecting a baby car seat, it's important to remember that babies could be trapped if the straps are loose or unfastened. It's also unsafe to leave your child unattended in a car seat, therefore, choose a seat that has an option to lock off your vehicle or an integrated lock.

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 experience than anyone else on the planet and is with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford, a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will help you choose the best seat for your child and your vehicle.