Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns

A rear-facing infant car seat is the safest choice for infants. It is crucial to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing the car seat.

The base of the car seat should be slightly pulled back. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chests, which will reduce the chance of asphyxia from a position.

Types

When it comes to choosing a car seat for newborns, there are two main types to take into consideration. There are two types of car seats that are suitable for infants such as an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your preference and how the seat will be used. If you intend to use the seat in an automobile travel system, and will be moving vehicles frequently, an infant car seat may be better suited. However, if you're looking for an extremely durable car seat that can grow with your child into an adult booster seat and beyond the age of an convertible car seat could be a better choice.

Infant car seats are specifically made for babies and newborns and are designed to be used in the backwards facing position. This is the most secure choice for children who are small. They are also less expensive than convertible car seats, but may have a shorter lifespan. Most will need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight or height limit (which can vary widely between seats) or when they reach the maximum of their age group.

Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one car seats are designed to take your infant from their birth to their toddler years and on into their school years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.

A lot of the top car seats for newborns are convertible and will have a range of features, like smooth rotation, easy harness adjustment and an EPS foam base that is basically Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their children in and out of the seat simpler, while ensuring their children are safe and secure.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's essential to check that it is compatible with your vehicle and comes with LATCH to make installation easy. Also, you should look at the safety features, including shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. If you're not sure the type of car seat that is best for your family, talk to an experienced car seat technician. They'll be able to guide about your choices and help you pick the right seat for your newborn.

Safety

You should always check whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, no matter if you are looking for convertible car seats or an infant car seat a travel system ready for your baby. This is particularly important for babies since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Look for seats that have five-point safety harnesses that attaches between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is forward facing infant car seat-facing. This secures your child, preventing them from being thrown from the seat during an accident or sudden stop.

You should also look for a car seat that is secured to the vehicle by lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which prevents the seat from advancing in a collision, and blocking the airway of a child. Make sure the recline angle is in line as well, since newborns are often trapped in a car seat that's too upright.

Most importantly, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding proper installation for the model you have chosen. It's recommended to consult an approved car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child. the expert will help you achieve a flawless installation every time.

Compatibility with strollers is another factor to think about. If you are planning to use a stroller frequently you should consider a Baby Seat car seat and stroller combo that clicks together seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for parents with a busy schedule, since it is simple to transfer your child from the car to the stroller, and vice versa while you run errands, or take strolls with the family.

Always use your seat on a solid surface (such as car seats or bases) and never on a soft one like beds or sofas, as this can cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured, or even killed. Unattended infant/baby seats or carriers on soft surfaces may also cause insuffocation.

Ease of Use

A car seat will only provide the highest level of protection when it is properly used each time. Unfortunately, a lot of car seat injuries are caused by errors. Some of them include not following the product instructions, incorrect installations and using products that are aftermarket and putting the child in a wrong position.

To help reduce the risk of error, a good infant car seat will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that make it easier to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, such as CYBEX, even have visual indicators and click sounds to confirm the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of car seats could be responsible for up to half of all injuries related to car seats.

You should also remember that you must never leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier even if it's just 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, and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also tip over on their sides, leading to an inability to breathe.

Selecting the right car seat for your newborn is based on a variety of factors including lifestyle and longevity. All-in-one seats are less expensive in the beginning however they might not be able to accommodate smaller babies as well, and are less versatile than a convertible or booster car seat. For parents who are planning to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is essential, while urban dwellers are likely to require a seat that can be easily installed without the base and then in taxis or Uber.

A seat that can be connected to strollers is a excellent option for families who are looking to reduce the amount of luggage they carry around the city or on flights. This is especially relevant if you live in a city, and plan to frequent public transportation since many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for easy, quick commuting. It is important to be aware of how simple it is to install your preferred seat on vehicles with no lower anchors or tether connectors, as they are less common.

Convenience

Many infant car seat newborn seats connect to a stroller travel system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Just make sure you always put the seat in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car or in the street isn't secure and could allow your baby to exit the seat unattended and could result in injury.

Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and smaller infants, with snug and secure fits and lots of extra padding to ensure safety and comfort. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. Most infant car seats are designed to be used rear-facing which is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for children in the early years.

However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant car seat uk seats between nine months and a year. It is possible that you will need to upgrade your car seat to a convertible one sooner than you think.

A good infant car safety seat should have a strap flat against the chest of the child over their hips, and with the chest clip placed on the child's armpit. The crotch buckle must be flat across the child's thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts to aid parents in maintaining this recommended fit.

It is important to keep in mind that if the straps are loose or unfastened children could be strangled. It's also risky to leave a child in a car without a guardian. Select a car seat with an option to lock off your vehicle, or that has a built-in locking mechanism.

Our experts test car seats to make sure they're fitted with the highest safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring expertise than anyone on the planet, and he's joined by the mother of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford who is a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will help you choose the best seat for your child and your vehicle.