Which is the best car seat for newborn (related internet page) Car Seat For Your Newborn?
A good car seat ensures your baby is safe, comfortable and secure when you’re on the road. Which one is best for your baby?
The right choice for infant car seats isn’t an easy task. There are a lot of features to consider such as latch hooks, belt pathways, and load legs. Here’s what you need to be aware of to make the best choice for your family.
Ease of Use
Whether you’re shopping for an infant car seat for your newborn or if you’re upgrading from an older car seat, you’ll want an option that is simple to install and use. Think about the size of the base and the car, how the seat fits your baby’s weight and height, and useful extra features such as the lay-flat option that can double as a bassinet for a stroller.
infant car seat for travel-only seats are a good choice for small babies because they’re typically narrower than convertible car seats and fit babies more comfortably. They also provide a harness that can support your child’s delicate head in the event of a collision and reduces strain on their neck and spinal cord.
Convertible car seat are ideal for parents who want to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they are able to. Most models let the child ride rear-facing until 30 pounds or greater. If you decide on a convertible car seat, look for one that meets the federal safety standards and has a weight limit of 50 pounds or more.
When you’re looking for a car seat, it’s important to keep in mind that even though all carseats must meet the strict NHTSA safety standards There are plenty of different models available on the market. Pick a seat certified by a reputable organization or company. Also, be sure to look for recalls or complaints from the manufacturer.
The most rated car seats for infants have skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding, and a range of recline positions. Some also offer additional padding around the buckle and on the shoulder harness to help your baby remain comfortable on long road trips. If you’re driving a small vehicle, you should consider a small infant car seat like the Clek Liing. It is less than 17 inches in width, and is easily installed in a variety of vehicles. The UPPAbaby Mezza Max that is compatible with UPPAbaby Strollers, is a great option for families who want a simple car seat. Its auto-retracting straps, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors with guides, and a no-rethread harness make it easy to use on every car journey.
Safety Features
There are the following aspects when selecting an infant car seat. If you want to ensure that your child is safe throughout the entire journey or are in search of an easy-to-use car seat that is safe for your child to use on long trips, it’s important to think about certain characteristics. Be aware of the weight and height limits of your infant car seat swivel seat. This will determine the length of time your child is able to safely stay in the seat. Choose a seat that is able to accommodate your child’s 90th centile measurement before turning one. Also, consider whether you might want to put a coat or blanket over the harness straps. The AAP warns against this because thick clothing could shrink in the event of a crash, making straps too loose for your child to be secured and increase the risk of injuries.
Other factors to consider are whether you plan to install your car seat with a vehicle belt or the LATCH system and if it’s compatible with other strollers or travel systems. If you intend to use your seat for most of your car rides it’s best to pick one that fits easily onto the base that is compatible with it. This will help you save time and energy because you won’t need to take off and reinstall the seat every time you take a trip in the car.
In our testing the Best of the Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned top marks for ease of installation and adjustments, with testers commenting that it “has everything you need to have a quick and easy installation.” This includes LATCH connectors of premium quality that slide out of the base, and turn green once they’re fully connected. Additionally, there is a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers and a spring-loaded leveling foot.
Another option that is worth considering is the affordable Baby Trend Secure-Lift, which we’ve found to be as simple to use as models that cost twice as much. The adjustable headrest that can be adjusted to five positions that grows with your child as well as its magnetic buckle holders, and its no-rethread harness have been highly praised by our test subjects.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade makes an excellent choice for babies, thanks to its unique sleeping position of 180 degrees. This allows them to sleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer on road trips. It’s also praised for its safety, with consumer advocate Which? ADAC giving it the highest laboratory rating for car seats for infants.
Rear-facing Options
In most vehicles the safest place for a newborn is in the rear seat at the center. The center seat is closest to any impact, and will protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. If possible, you should select an infant car seat that allows your baby to ride rear-facing until they’re about an year old. It’s also crucial to ensure that the car seat is properly installed and that the headrest is placed snugly against your child’s head and chest. Consult a certified child passenger technician who can give you the most up-to-date guidelines for car seat installation and use. Find the nearest one here.
Choosing a car seat for your infant is a major investment that you’ll likely use for a long duration, so you’ll need to select one that has an excellent crash test sensor and analysis score, as well as features to keep your child safe. The Clek LIing is an excellent choice for parents looking for an infant rear-facing seat that is affordable. It scored high in our analysis and sensor test. It has an easy LATCH system that changes color to show when the buckle straps have been correctly secured to the car seat inserts for newborns and a load-leg that helps prevent frontal collisions.
Strategist senior editor and mom of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit for her daughters, who both went from birth to age 6. The seat’s adjustable harness height as well as length help it fit all children from short to tall. The seat is compatible with various vehicles, and it has the weight limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. The seat also converts into a booster, which Trolio used for her oldest daughter until she was 10 years old.
Another option that is affordable is the Nuna RAVA. It does not come with a base like the majority of seats, however it is still extremely simple to put in using either method, thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors, which flip out from the bottom of the seat. They automatically turn green once secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is also a comfortable seat for babies, with an unrethread harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders that allow you to secure the straps without removing your child from the seat. LaBracio also discovered the recline with six positions to be useful.
Options with a Forward-Facing
In front-facing seats the necks of children are held in the back of the seat instead of being pushed forward on a hard vehicle seat. This position also protects them from injuries in side crashes. The majority of car seats allow children to ride rear-facing until they weigh more than 20 pounds and a year old. Many experts suggest that children remain rear-facing for as long as they can. Their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when it’s time to move to a front-facing seat.
When looking at options for forward-facing car seats ensure that they meet i-Size requirements, have a padded head rest, and a spacious harness pocket. Think about purchasing a car seat that will grow with your child, and then become a booster. Certain models have an all-in-one feature that lets your child change from a rear facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing car seat.
It’s also important to determine whether the seat fits your vehicle, particularly when you have a limited trunk space or a vehicle with a low clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the vehicle owner’s manual for the best fit.
Choose a car seat that provides good support and comfort to your child. Long journeys in the car will be more enjoyable if they can sleep comfortably. This may include features such as reclined headrests or a five-point harness which can be tightened from the back of the seat, and a wide range of recline positions.
After narrowing down your options, think about crash replacement policies for the car seat you’re considering. These can vary from a manufacturer’s replacement policy to a case-by-case review.
Once you’ve done your research and decided on the type of car seat you’re looking at now is the time to start looking around. Check out the selection at your local baby store or online retailer, and talk to family members who have children for their recommendations. You can also book an Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to assist you in choosing the best car seat for your baby.