Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the safest option for newborns. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The car seat's base should be slightly reclined, which aids in keeping the baby's head in a forward position and keep their chin off their chest decreasing the risk of positioning asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats suitable for infants. There are two kinds of car seats for infants that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have pros and cons. It really comes down to your personal preference and how the seat will be used. If you plan to use the seat as part of an auto travel system and you will be changing vehicles frequently, an infant car seat might be the better choice. If you are looking for an automobile seat that will expand with your child and become a booster or beyond the age of a convertible seat, it is the best choice.
Infant car seats are designed for babies and infants 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 seat. They will most likely require replacement once your child reaches their weight or height limit (which can vary widely between seats) or when they reach the top of their age group.
Convertible baby seats, also known as all-in-one car seats, as they are often called are designed to accommodate your infant from birth up through their toddler years and on into their school age years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats designed for infants will come with a variety of features. They include a smooth-rotation feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base made of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents because they make it simpler to take their infants in and out of their seats, while still ensuring that their child is secure and comfortable.
When you are choosing a car seat, it's important to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH for easy installation. It's also important to check the safety features, including shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. If you're not sure the type of car seat that is best for your family, speak to an experienced car seat technician. They will guide you through the choices and help you select the best seat for your baby.
Safety
Always ensure whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, whether you are shopping for convertible car seats or infant car seat, or a travel system ready for your baby. This is particularly important for newborns as they are smaller and more delicate than older children. Find a seat that has five-point harnesses that are attached beneath the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) or between the legs and around the crotch. This helps secure your child, stopping them from being thrown from the seat during an accident or sudden stop.
You'll also want to consider a car seat that can be connected to your vehicle with lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also have a top tether, which will stop the seat from advancing in a collision, and blocking the airway of a child. Be sure that the recline angle is right also, as infants are often trapped in a seat that is too high up.
Most importantly, be sure to follow all manufacturer's guidelines regarding proper installation for your particular model. It's a good idea to check with a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or right after the birth of your child. A professional can guarantee the perfect installation.
Another thing to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use your stroller often then you should think about an infant car and stroller combination that clicks seamlessly together. This is a fantastic option for parents with a busy schedule, since it makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking a family walk.
Always use your seat on a solid surface (such as a car seat or base) and never on a soft surface, such as a sofa or bed because this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured or even dying. Infant/baby carriers that are not properly secured or supervised on soft surfaces could cause insuffocation.
Easy of Use
The best protection is possible only if the car seat has been utilized correctly every time. Unfortunately, a lot of car seat injuries are the result of mistakes. Some of them include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installation and using products that are aftermarket and placing the child in an incorrect position.
To minimize the risk of error, a good infant car seat will come with easy-to-read instructions for installation and features that allow you to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of car seats can be responsible for as much as half of all injuries attributed to car seats.
It is also crucial to keep in mind that you should not leave your child in an infant car seat or in a carrier out of your vehicle, even for a short period of time. If left unattended, a child in a car seat or carrier could fall on soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats could also slide over on their sides, leading to an inability to breathe.
Selecting the right infant car seat for your infant is dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of lifestyle and longevity. All-in-one models are cheaper in the beginning however they might not suit smaller infants as well, and are less flexible than a booster or convertible car seat. A lightweight, simple to install seat is vital for parents who frequently travel. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat which can be installed in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
A seat that is compatible with strollers is a great option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry around town, or during flight. This is especially applicable if you reside in a city and plan to take public transport frequently and many seats can be attached to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for simple, effortless journeys. Additionally, you must pay close attention to the ease of installing your chosen seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tethers, as they aren't common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems which allows you to create a complete solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it much easier to move your 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 on the road. Your baby could be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.
Infant car seats are designed specifically for babies and infants with smaller sizes, offering snug and secure fits and plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They are usually lighter than convertible car seat which makes them more convenient to carry for short distances. The majority of infant car seats are made to be used rear-facing which is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for children in the early years.
They last a shorter time than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. You may have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible model sooner than you think.
A good infant car safety seat will include a strap that is flat against the child's chest over their hips, and with the chest clip positioned at the child’s armpit. The crotch buckle must be flat across the child's thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts to help parents maintain the recommended fit.
When selecting best infant carrier car seat , it's important to be aware that children can be trapped if the straps are loose or are not fastened. It's also not safe to leave a child unattended in a car seat so choose one that has the option of locking off your vehicle, or a built-in lock.
The car seats we test are engineered to offer the best possible safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone on the planet, and he's joined by mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford an Analyst for Senior Reviews who has been testing seats since 2016. Our team's expertise and experience will assist you in choosing the best seat for your child and your vehicle.