Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For newborns, a rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it could cause injuries or even death, so it is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing.
The base of the car seat should be a bit reclined which helps keep the baby's head back and the chin away from their chest, lessening the risk of asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats suitable for infants. A baby car seat and a convertible baby car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really is a matter of preference and how the seat is used. If you want to use the seat as part of a travel system and you will be changing vehicles frequently, then an infant car seat could be more suitable. If, however, you would prefer a durable car seat that will grow with your child to an adult booster seat and beyond the age of the convertible car seat might be a better choice.
Infant car seats are made for babies and newborns and are used in the reverse facing position. This is the most secure travel option for small children. They are also generally cheaper than convertible car seats, but they can have a shorter lifespan. They are most likely to require replacement once your child reaches their weight or height limits (which may differ between seats) or if they reach the top of their age group limit.
car seat newborn insert , also known as all-in-one car seats are designed to transport your infant from their birth to their toddler years, and into their school years. They are typically used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat, and some may be transformed into an adult booster seat.
A lot of the top convertible car seats for infants will come with a variety of features. These include a smooth rotation feature, a simple harness adjustment, and a base made of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. These features are a favorite among parents as they make it easier to get their babies into and out of their seats, while still ensuring their child is secure and comfortable.
When you are choosing a car seat, it's essential to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH to make installation easy. It's also worth checking the safety features, like shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat specialist if you are unsure which seat is best for your family. They'll be able to guide you through your options and help you select the right seat for your newborn.
Safety
If you're looking for an infant car seat, convertible car seat or baby-friendly travel systems it is important be sure that the one you choose meets stringent safety standards. This is especially important for newborns as they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Look for seats that have five-point safety harnesses that attaches between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will stop your child from being thrown from the seat in case of an unexpected stop or crash.
It is recommended to seek out an item that is connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or seat belt, and offers a top tether that prevents the car seat from moving forward in a crash and potentially obstructing breathing for the child. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Infants are prone to get trapped in a seat that is too forward.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the proper installation of your model. It's a good idea to consult 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.
It is also a factor to think about. If you are planning to frequently use a stroller you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combination that connects seamlessly. This is a great option for parents with busy schedules because it lets them easily transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa when they're doing around doing errands.
Always use your seat on a solid surface (such as car seats or bases) 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 dying. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier unattended on soft surfaces may result in death by suffocation.
Easy to Use
A car seat can only provide the highest level of protection if it is used properly each time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries that occur in car seats are caused by mistakes. Some of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installation and using products that are aftermarket and placing the child in a wrong position.
A quality car seat for infants will come with clear instructions for installing and features that will ensure proper usage. Some brands, like CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sounds that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have proven that improper use of a car seat could be responsible for as much as 50% of car seat-related injuries.
It is also important to remember that you should never leave your baby in an infant car seat or in a carrier outside of a vehicle even for a short period of time. Unsupervised, a baby in a safety car seat or carrier may fall on soft surfaces such as couches or beds, and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats can also slide over on their sides, resulting in suffocation.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your infant depends on many factors, including lifestyle and longevity. A one-piece model is less expensive initially, but may not fit smaller babies as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, easy-to-install seat is crucial for parents who travel often. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat which can be used in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle without the base.
A seat that can be connected to strollers is a ideal option for parents with a newborn who are looking to reduce the amount of luggage they carry in town or on airplane flights. This is especially applicable if you reside in a city and intend to use public transportation frequently and many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for simple, effortless commutes. Additionally, you must pay close attention to the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tethers, since they are not common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can also be connected to a stroller system to create an all-inclusive child safety solution. This makes it easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Just make sure you always put the seat in the stroller before you drive off. It's not safe to leave it in the car or on the street. Your child could be injured if they leave the seat without supervision.
Infant car seats are specifically made for infants and babies who are smaller. They provide a snug and secure fit and plenty of padding for security and comfort. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seats, making them easier to transport over short distances. Most infant car seats can be used with rear-facing, this is the recommended position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Most children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and one year. This means that you might require convertible car seats earlier than you anticipated.
A great infant car seat will come with straps for harnesses that lie flat against the child's chest and across their hips and the chest clip placed at the 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 keep in mind that babies could be strangled if the straps become loose or are not fastened. It's also not safe to leave a child unattended in a car seat therefore, choose a seat that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle or a built-in 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 expertise than anyone on the planet, and he's with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford an Analyst for Senior Reviews who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's expertise and experience will help you choose the best car seat for your child and vehicle.