Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants, a rear-facing infant car seat is the best option. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it could cause injuries or even death, so it's essential to follow instructions of the manufacturer when installing.
The base of the car seat needs to be slightly pulled back. This will help keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, which will reduce the risk for positional asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats suitable for infants. There are two kinds of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have pros and cons. It depends on your personal preference and the way in which the seat will be utilized. If you want to utilize the seat as part of an itinerary and will be switching between vehicles often and frequently, then an infant car seat may be the best choice. If you're looking for a durable car seat that will grow with your child to the stage of a booster seat then the convertible car seat might be a better choice.
Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns and are always placed in the rear position and are the safest method for traveling for small babies. They are generally less expensive, but have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seat. They will most likely need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight or height limits (which can differ widely between seats) or when they reach the maximum of their age-group limit.
Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one carseats, are designed to carry your infant from their birth to their toddler years, and on into their school years. They can 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 babies are convertible and have a range of features, including a smooth rotation function, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS, which is essentially Styrofoam. Parents love these features because they make getting their babies in and out of the car seat easier, while also ensuring their children are kept comfortable and secure.
It is important to ensure that the car seat you choose is compatible with your car, and also that it comes with LATCH to allow for simple installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, including shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. Consult a qualified car seat specialist if are unsure about which seat is right for your family. They will guide you through the options and help you pick the right seat for your baby.
Safety
It is essential to ensure whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, whether you are looking for convertible car seats, infant car seat or an infant travel system that is ready for your baby. This is particularly important for babies since they are smaller and lighter than older children. Look for seats that have five-point safety harnesses that is attached between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will prevent your child from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.
It is also recommended to find a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also come with an upper tether that prevents the seat from advancing in a accident, and also obstructing a child's airway. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is in the right direction. Infants can easily become trapped in a seat which is too upright.
It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper installation of your particular model. It is also a good idea to work with a certified car seat inspector during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child, as this expert can assist you to achieve a flawless installation every time.
Another aspect to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use your stroller often, consider an infant car and stroller combo that works seamlessly. This is a great choice for parents who are busy, since it is simple to move your child from the car to the stroller and vice versa when you're running errands or taking an outing with the family.
Always place your seat on a solid surface (such as a car seat or base) and never on a soft one, such as a sofa or bed, as this can cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child being injured or even dying. In the event that you leave your baby's infant or baby's car seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces could cause suffocation.
Easy to Use
A car seat can only provide the best protection when it is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries in car seats result from mistakes. Some of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, improper installation and using products that are aftermarket and putting the child into the wrong position.
To help reduce the risk of error, a reliable infant car seat is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that make it easier to ensure proper usage. Certain brands, like CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is important as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat is responsible for up to 50% of all car seat-related injuries.
You should also remember that you must never leave your infant in the car seat or in a carrier, even if it is only for a few minutes. A baby left unattended in the safety seat could fall and land on soft surfaces, like couches or beds which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also be flipped over onto their sides, leading to the death of a child.
Choosing the best car seat for your newborn depends on many factors, such as lifestyle and longevity. A one-piece model is cheaper upfront but may not fit smaller babies as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who plan to travel often, a lightweight, easy-to-install seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to want a seat that can be easily installed without the base and in taxis or Uber.
A seat that can be integrated with strollers is an ideal option for new parents who wish to reduce the amount of equipment they need to carry around town or on airplane flights. This is especially the case in the event that you intend to commute on public transportation frequently and live in a big city. Many seats can be connected to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, and simple journeys. Be sure to be aware of how easy it is to put your preferred seat on vehicles with no lower anchors or tether connectors, as they are less common.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can also be connected to a stroller system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it much 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 the car or even on the road. Your child could be injured if they leave the seat without supervision.
Infant car seats are made specifically for newborns and infants with smaller sizes, offering snug and secure fits with plenty of padding for comfort and safety. They tend to be lighter than convertible car seat, making them easier to carry over short distances. Most infant car seats can be used rear-facing this is the recommended position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. In general, children outgrow infant car seats between the ages of nine months and one year. It is possible that you will have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible version sooner than you think.
A good infant car seat should have a harness strap that lies 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 to help parents maintain the recommended fit.
It's important to remember that when straps are unfastened or loose, babies can be strangled. It is also dangerous to allow a child to be in a car without supervision. Choose a seat with a lockoff function for your vehicle, or one that has an inbuilt locking mechanism.
The car seats that our experts test are designed to offer the best safety features possible. Bob Hoffman, Senior Review Editor of Consumer Reports, has the most experience with 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 2016. Our team's experience and knowledge can help you find the perfect seat for your child as well as your vehicle.