Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants who are rear-facing, the rear-facing infant car seat is the best option. It's vital to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer when installing the car seat.
The base of the car seat needs to be slightly reclined. This will help to keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, reducing the risk for positional asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats for newborns. There are two kinds of car seats that are suitable for infants: an infant car seat and a baby convertible car seat. Both have their pros and disadvantages however it all depends on your the individual preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you intend to use the seat in an automobile travel system, and will be changing vehicles frequently, an infant car seat may be better suited. If you want a car seat that will develop with your child as they become a booster or go beyond the age of a convertible seat, it is the best choice.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for newborns and babies and are designed to be used in the backwards facing position. This is the safest option for traveling with small children. They are also generally less expensive than convertible seats, but may have a shorter lifespan. Most will require replacement once your child is at their weight or height limit (which may differ between seats) or when they exceed their age-group limit.
Convertible baby chairs, or all-in-one car seats, as they are sometimes called are designed to carry your infant from birth up through their toddler years, and even into their school years. They are typically used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat, and some may be converted into an adult booster seat.
A lot of the top convertible car seats for infants will have a range of features. These include a smooth rotation feature, a simple harness adjustment and a base constructed of EPS foam that is similar to Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their children in and out of the car seat easier, while also ensuring their children are comfortable and safe.
When selecting a car seat, it's essential to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH to make installation easy. Also, you should look for safety features such as shock-absorbent material and side impact protection. If you're uncertain about the type of car seat that is the best fit for your family, talk to a certified car seat technician. They will guide you through the choices and help you select the right seat for your baby.
Safety
Always ensure that the product you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, regardless of whether you are looking for convertible car seats or an infant car seat an infant travel system that is ready for your infant. This is especially important for newborns, as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Choose a seat with a five-point harness that attaches below the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This secures your child, preventing them from being thrown out of the seat during an accident or sudden stop.
If you want to be sure, choose a seat that can be connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or seat belt, and offers an upper tether that stops the car seat from moving forward in the event of a crash, and possibly obstructing breathing of the child. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat that is too high up.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure the proper installation of your particular model. It's also a good idea to work with an approved car seat inspector during pregnancy and/or following the birth of your child, as this professional can help you achieve a flawless installation every time.
Compatibility with strollers is another aspect to take into consideration. If you are planning to use a stroller often you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combo that clicks together seamlessly. This is a great option for busy parents, as it is 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 car seats or bases) and not on a soft surface like a sofa or bed because this could cause it to tip over. This could lead to your child being injured, or even killed. In the event that you leave your baby's infant or baby's car seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces may lead to the suffocation of your child.
Simple to Use
The best protection is only possible only if the car seat has been properly used every time. Unfortunately, a significant number of injuries in car seats are caused by errors. These include not following the product instructions, incorrect installation, using aftermarket accessories, and putting the child into an improper position.
A high-quality infant car seat should have clear instructions for installation as well as features that help ensure proper usage. Some brands, like CYBEX have even included visual indicators and click sounds to confirm the seat is installed correctly. This is important as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat can be the cause of up to 50% of all car seat-related injuries.
It is also important to keep in mind that you should not let your baby out of the car seat of an infant or a baby carrier outside of a vehicle even for a short time. Unattended, a baby in a safety car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces such as couches or beds, causing serious injury or even death. The seats could also be flipped over onto their sides, leading to an inability to breathe.
The ideal infant car seat is determined by a number of aspects, such as your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. A one-piece model is cheaper upfront but may not fit smaller babies as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who are planning to travel frequently and require a light, easy-to-install seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to want seats that can be easily installed without a base and can be used in taxis or Uber.
Additionally, a seat that can be integrated with strollers is a great option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they have to carry around town or on flight. This is especially true when you plan to travel by public transport frequently and live in a major city. Many seats can be attached to strollers from UPPAbaby for simple, and simple commutes. It is important to pay attention to how easy it is to install the seat you want to use on vehicles without lower anchors or tether connectors, since they are not as common.
Convenience
Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems, allowing you to create an entire solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it simple to move a sleepy baby from your car to a stroller even in the worst conditions and at night. Just make sure you always ensure that the seat is secured in the stroller before you leave. If you leave it in the car or on the streets isn't safe and can allow your baby to exit the stroller without supervision and could result in injury.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for newborns and babies who are smaller. They offer a comfortable and secure fit and plenty of padding for security and comfort. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seats which makes them more convenient to carry over short distances. Most baby car seats can be used rear-facing which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Children usually outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you may require convertible car seats sooner than you expected.
A good infant car safety seat will have a strap flat against the child's chest, over their hips and with the chest clip placed at the child’s armpit. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts to help parents maintain this recommended fit.
When choosing an infant car seat, it's important to keep in mind that children can be strangled if the straps become loose or are not fastened. It's also unsafe to leave your child unattended in a car seat therefore, choose a seat that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle or a built-in lock.
rotating infant car seat are engineered 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 expertise and experience will help you choose the right seat for both your child and your vehicle.