Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the safest choice for newborns. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it could result in injury or death, so it's essential to follow manufacturer's instructions 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
When choosing a car seat for newborns there are two primary types to consider. A car seat for infants and a convertible baby car seat. Both have their pros and drawbacks, but it really is a matter of personal preference and how you plan on using the seat. If you plan to use the seat as part of an automobile travel system, and will be changing vehicles frequently, an infant car seat could be the best choice. If you want a car seat that can grow with your child and become a booster or go beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best option.
Infant car seats are designed for newborns and babies and are designed to be used in the backwards facing position. This is the safest choice for children who are small. They are generally less expensive, but have a shorter life span than convertible car seat. They are most likely to need to be replaced once your child reaches their weight or height limit (which can vary widely between seats) or if they reach the top of their age group.
Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one seats, are designed to carry your infant from their birth to their toddler years and even into their school years. Some of them can be used as a forward-facing seat or a rear-facing seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats for newborns will come with a variety of features. They include a smooth rotating feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base constructed of EPS foam that is similar to Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their babies in and out of the seat easier, while ensuring that their children are safe and secure.
When selecting best car seats for newborns , you need to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and comes with LATCH for easy installation. You should also check the safety features such as shock-absorbent material and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat expert if you are unsure about which seat is the best one for your family. They'll be able to talk about your choices and help you pick the right seat for your infant.
Safety
Always ensure that the product you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, no matter if you are shopping for a convertible car seat or infant car seat, or a travel system ready for your infant. This is especially crucial for infants as they are lighter and smaller than older children. Find a seat that has a five-point harness that attaches to the shoulders below (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This will prevent your child from being thrown from the seat in case of an unexpected stop or crash.
If you want to be sure, seek out an item that is secured to the vehicle by either lower anchors or a seat belts, and also has a top tether that prevents the car seat from moving forward during an accident and could block breathing for the child. Make sure the recline angle is in line, too, as newborns can easily become trapped in a seat that is too upright.
The most important thing is to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding the proper installation of the model you have chosen. It is also a good idea to work with an approved car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child, as this expert can assist you to get the perfect installation every time.
Compatibility with strollers is another factor to think about. If you intend to frequently use your stroller then you should think about an infant car and stroller combo that connects seamlessly. This is a great option for parents who are busy because it lets them effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller into the car and vice versa, when they're running around doing errands.
Always use your seat on a hard surface (such as a car seat or base) and not on a soft surface like beds or sofas or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child getting injured or even killed. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces could cause suffocation.
Easy to Use
The best protection is only possible when the car seat is utilized correctly every time. Unfortunately, a significant number of injuries involving car seats are caused by mistakes. Some of them are not following the manufacturer's instructions, improper installation, using aftermarket products, and putting the child into an incorrect position.
To help reduce the risk of a mistake, a quality infant car seat for newborns is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that make it easier to ensure proper usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to ensure that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important because studies have found that improper use of car seats can be responsible for as much as half of all injuries attributed to car seats.
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 in a vehicle even for a short period of time. If a child is left unattended, a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces like beds or couches and cause serious injuries or death. The seats could also fall on their side and cause an inability to breathe.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your infant is based on a variety of factors including the type of lifestyle and longevity. All-in-one models are cheaper up front, but they may not suit smaller infants as well, and are less flexible than a convertible or booster car seat. A lightweight, easy to install seat is essential for parents who frequently travel. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat which can be installed in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle without the base.
A seat that integrates with strollers can be a great option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry around town or on plane flights. This is particularly relevant if you live in a city and intend to take public transport frequently and many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller for simple, effortless commutes. Lastly, you should be aware of the installation of your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections as these are less common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can be used with stroller travel systems which allows you to create an entire solution for child safety. This makes it simple to transfer a sleeping baby from your car to a stroller even in bad weather or at night. Always secure the seat before leaving the car. It's not safe to leave it in your car or on the street. Your baby could be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, with snug and secure fits and lots of extra padding for comfort and safety. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easier to carry over short distances. Most infant car seats are designed to be used rear facing, which is endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for young children.
However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you could require a convertible car seat sooner than you anticipated.
A great infant car seat will have a harness strap that lies flat against the child's chest and over their hips with the chest clip at armpit level and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts to help parents maintain the recommended fit.
When selecting an infant car seat, it is important to remember that babies can be strangled if the straps become loose or unfastened. 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.
The car seats we test are designed to offer the best safety features possible. 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 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will help you choose the best car seat for your child and vehicle.