Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants, a rear-facing infant car seat is the best option. It's vital to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The base of the car seat should be slightly retracted. This will help keep the baby's chin and head off their chest, reducing the risk of sustaining asphyxia in a position.
Types
There are two types of car seats for newborns. There are two types of car seats for newborns such as an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have their pros and drawbacks, but it really is a matter of personal preference and the way you plan on using the seat. If you are planning to use the seat as part of a travel system, and will be moving vehicles often, an infant car seat may be better suited. If you want an automobile seat that will expand with your child and become a booster or even beyond, a convertible seat is the best option.
Infant car seats are made for babies and newborns and are used in the reverse facing position. This is the most secure option for traveling with small children. They are generally less expensive, but have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. They are most likely to require replacement once your child is at their weight or height limits (which may differ between seats) or if they exceed their age group.
Convertible baby seats, or all-in-one car seats, as they are often referred to, are designed to take your infant from birth through their toddler years and into their school age years. Some can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.
A lot of the top car seats for newborns can be converted and come with various features, like a smooth rotation function, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS that is essentially Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their infants in and out of the seat much easier, while also ensuring their children are comfortable and safe.
When you are choosing a car seat, you need to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH to make installation easy. It's also important to check the safety features, like shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. If you're not sure the type of car seat that is the best fit for your family, consult a qualified car seat technician. best car seat for newborn can guide you through the choices and help you select the right seat for your child.
Safety
Always ensure whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, no matter if you're looking for a convertible car seat or an infant car seat a travel system ready for your infant. This is particularly important for newborns, as they are lighter and smaller than older children. Choose a seat that has a five-point safety harness that attaches between the legs, around the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This will prevent your child from being thrown out of the seat in the event of an unexpected stop or crash.
It is also recommended to look for a car seat that is secured to the vehicle by lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include an upper tether that stops the seat from moving forward in the event of a collision, and blocking the airway of a child. Be sure that the recline angle is correct also, as infants are often trapped in a seat that's too upright.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper installation of your model. It is recommended to work with a certified car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child, as the expert will help you ensure that your installation is flawless every time.
Another thing to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you plan to use your stroller frequently, consider an infant car and stroller set-up that clicks seamlessly together. This is a great option for parents who are busy, since it is easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking an outing with the family.
Always place your seat on a hard surface (such as a car seat or base) and never on a soft surface, such as beds or sofas or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child getting injured or even killed. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces could cause suffocation.
Ease of Use
A car seat can only provide the highest level of protection when it is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries involving car seats result from errors. Some of these are not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations and using products that are aftermarket and placing the child in the wrong position.
A good infant car seat should have clear instructions for installing and features that will ensure proper usage. Certain brands, such as CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sound that confirm the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of car seats could be the cause of up to 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.
It is also important to remember to not let your baby out of an infant car seat or carrier in a vehicle even for a brief period of time. A baby left unattended in the safety seat could fall and land on soft surfaces like couches or beds and cause serious injuries or death. The seats could also tip over on their sides which can cause an inability to breathe.
Selecting the right car seat for your newborn is based on a variety of factors including lifestyle and longevity. A all-in-one model may be less expensive initially, but may not work for smaller babies as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, easy to install seat is crucial for parents who travel often. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat which can be put in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
A seat that is connected to strollers is a great choice for new parents who are looking to reduce the amount of luggage they carry in the city or on flights. This is especially the case when you plan to travel via public transport often and live in a major city. A lot of seats can be connected to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, simple journeys. You should also be aware of how simple it is to put your preferred seat on vehicles with no lower anchors or tether connectors, because they aren't as popular.
Convenience
Many infant car seats be connected to a stroller system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Be sure to secure the seat in the stroller before you leave. It's not safe to leave it in the car, or on the street. Your child may be injured if they exit the seat without supervision.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for newborns and infants with smaller sizes, offering comfortable and secure fit and lots of extra padding for safety and comfort. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry over short distances. Most baby 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 typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and one year. This means that you might require a convertible car seat sooner than you expected.
A good infant car safety seat will have a strap flat against the child's chest over their hips, and with the chest clip placed on the child's armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child's thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts that help parents achieve the recommended fit.
It's important to remember that when straps are unfastened or loose the baby could be strangled. It's also risky to leave a child in a car without supervision. Select a seat with a lockoff function for your vehicle, or one that has a built-in locking mechanism.
Our experts test car seats to ensure they have the best safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone on the planet and is joined by mom 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 knowledge and expertise will help you choose the best seat for your child as well as your vehicle.