Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant car seat is the most safest option for newborns. Incorrectly using a car seat can lead to injuries or even death, so it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing.

The car seat base should be slightly reclined, which helps to naturally keep the baby seat‘s head in a forward position and keep their the chest away from the chin, decreasing the risk of positioning asphyxia.

Types

There are two types of car seats that are suitable for infants. There are two types of car seats that are suitable for infants such as an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have pros and cons. It all is a matter of personal preference and how the seat is utilized. If you intend to use the seat in an automobile travel system, and you will be changing vehicles often, an infant car seat might be the better choice. If, however, you would prefer an extremely durable car seat that will grow with your child until a booster seat and beyond the age of the convertible car seat might be a better choice.

Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns and are designed to be used in the rear-facing position, which is the safest way to travel for little ones. They are generally less expensive but have a shorter life-span than convertible car seats. They will most likely need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight limit or height (which can differ widely between seats) or when they exceed their age group.

Convertible baby seats, or all-in-one car seats as they are often referred to are designed to carry your baby from birth through their toddler years, and even into their school age years. Some of them can be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.

A lot of the top car seats for infants can be converted and come with a range of features, including smooth rotation, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS that is essentially Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their children in and out of the seat easier, while ensuring that their children are safe and secure.

When selecting a car seat, you need to make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, including shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat specialist if you are unsure about which seat is best for your family. They’ll be able to guide you through your options and help you choose the best car seats seat for your newborn.

Safety

Whether you’re shopping for an infant car seat, convertible car seat or baby-friendly travel systems it is essential to ensure that the model you choose is safe and meets strict safety standards. This is especially crucial for infants since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Find seats that have a five-point safety harness that can be stowed between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will stop your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

Ideally, you’ll also seek out a seat that can be secured to the vehicle with either lower anchors or a seat belts, and has the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward facing infant car seat during an accident and could block breathing of the child. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat that is too upright.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the proper installation of your specific 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 baby. This professional can ensure an excellent installation.

Another factor to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use a stroller often then you should think about an infant car seat and stroller combo that clicks together seamlessly. This is a great choice for busy parents, as it makes it easy to move your child from the car to the stroller and back when you’re running errands or taking strolls with the family.

Always ensure that your seat is on a solid surface (such as a car seat or base) and never on a soft surface like the bed or sofa because this could cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child being injured, or even killed. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces can cause the suffocation of your child.

Simple to Use

The most effective protection is only possible only if the car seat has been properly used every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries involving car seats are caused by errors. These include not following the product instructions, incorrect installation, using aftermarket accessories, and placing the child in the wrong position.

A good infant car seat should have clear instructions for installing and features that help ensure proper usage. Certain brands, such as CYBEX, even have visual indicators and click sounds that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have found that improper use of car seats could be the cause of up to 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.

Also, keep in mind that you should not leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier even if it’s only for a few minutes. Unsupervised, a baby in a car seat that is safe or carrier could fall on soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats may also tip over on their sides which can cause an inability to breathe.

The ideal infant car seat depends on a number of factors, including your lifestyle and the long-term durability of the seat. All-in-one models are cheaper up front however they may not suit smaller infants as well and be less versatile than a booster or convertible car seat. A lightweight, easy-to-install seat is essential for parents who travel often. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat that can be used in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.

Additionally, a seat that integrates with strollers can be a great option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they’ll need to carry around town, or during airplane flights. This is particularly applicable if you reside in a city and intend to take public transport frequently, as many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for easy, quick commuting. Lastly, you should pay close attention to the ease of putting in your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections as these are less often found in the majority of models.

Convenience

Many infant car seats are compatible with stroller travel systems which allows you to create a complete solution for child safety. This makes it easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Make sure to secure the seat prior to taking off. It’s not safe to leave it in your car or on the street. Your child could be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.

portable infant car seat car seats are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, featuring comfortable and secure fit with plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They’re generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. Most infant car seats are designed to be used rear-facing which is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for young children.

However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Typically, children outgrow their infant car seats between nine months and one year. This means that you might need to upgrade to convertible car seats sooner than expected.

A quality infant car seat will come with a harness strap that lies flat against the child’s chest and over their hips and the chest clip located 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 selecting an infant car seat, it’s important to keep in mind that babies could be strangled if the straps become loose or not secured. It’s also unsafe to leave your child unattended in a car seat, so make sure you choose one with a lockoff feature for your vehicle, or a built-in lock.

The car seats our experts test are designed to offer the highest level of safety. Bob Hoffman, Senior Review Editor of Consumer Reports, has the most experience in 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 experience and expertise will help you choose the best seat for your child and your vehicle.