Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For newborns, the rear-facing infant car seat is the
best infant seat option. It is essential to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The base of the car seat needs to be slightly reclined. This will help keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, which will reduce the risk of sustaining asphyxia in a position.
Types
When choosing a car seat for newborns There are two main types to consider. A car seat for infants and a convertible baby car seat. Both have their pros and drawbacks, but it really depends on your personal preference and how you plan on using the seat. If you intend to use the seat in an auto travel system and you will be changing vehicles often, an infant car seat may be better suited. However, if you're looking for a long-lasting car seat that can grow with your child into the stage of a booster seat the age of a convertible car seat may be better.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for babies and infants and are used in the reverse facing position. This is the most secure choice for children who are small. They are generally cheaper, but they have a shorter life span than convertible car seat. They are most likely to require replacement once your child reaches their weight or height limits (which may differ between seats) or when they reach the maximum of their age-group limit.
Convertible baby chairs, or all-in-one car seats as they are often referred to, are designed to take your infant from birth up through their toddler years and into their school years. Some can be used as a forward-facing seat or a rear-facing seat.
A lot of the top
car seat newborn seats for babies are convertible and will have a range of features, like smooth rotation as well as a simple harness adjustment. an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their babies in and out of the car seat simpler, while ensuring their children are kept comfortable and secure.
When you are choosing a car seat, you need to make sure it's compatible with your vehicle and comes with LATCH for ease of installation. Also, you should look for safety features such as shock-absorbent material and side impact protection. Get a certified car seat expert if you are unsure about which seat is
best infant car seat for your family. They can help you navigate the choices and help you select the best seat for your child.
Safety
Always ensure that the model you select meets strict safety standards, whether you are looking for a convertible car seat or infant car seat, or a travel system for your baby. This is particularly crucial for infants as they weigh less and are smaller than older children. Find seats that have a five-point safety harness 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 secures your child, preventing them from being thrown from the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.
You should also find a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also have top tethers, which prevents the seat from moving forward in the event of a accident, and also obstructing the airway for children. Be sure that the recline angle is right, too, as newborns are often trapped in a seat that's too high up.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions for proper installation of your model. It's a good idea seek out a certified car seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or immediately after the birth of your baby. This professional can ensure the perfect installation.
Compatibility with strollers is another factor to think about. If you are planning to use a stroller often you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combo that connects seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for parents with a busy schedule, since it makes it easy to move your child from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking a family walk.
Always ensure that your seat is on a hard surface (such as car seats or bases) and not 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 being injured, or even killed. In the event of an infant or baby's seat being left unattended, it could cause on soft surfaces can cause the suffocation of your child.
Easy to Use
The
best car seats protection is possible if the car seat is properly used every time. Unfortunately, a lot of car injuries to children's seats are caused by mistakes. Some of these are not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations or using products from aftermarket, and placing the child in the wrong position.
To reduce the chance of error, a reliable infant car seat for newborns is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that allow you to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, such as CYBEX include visual indicators and click sound that ensure that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have found that improper use of car seats is the cause of up to 50% of injuries that are related to
Car Seat for Newborn seats.
It is also crucial to remember to not leave your child in an infant car seat or carrier outside of a vehicle even for a brief time. If left unattended, a child in a car seat or carrier may fall on soft surfaces such as couches or beds and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also slide over their sides and cause suffocation.
The best
portable infant car seat car seat for your newborn depends on many factors, such as lifestyle and longevity. A one-piece model is less expensive initially, but may not work for smaller babies as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, simple to install seat is essential for parents who travel frequently. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat that can be used in taxis, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
A seat that is attached to strollers is a great choice for new parents who are looking to reduce the amount of baggage they need to carry in the city or on flights. This is particularly true if you live in a city and plan to frequent public transportation since many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller, which allows for easy, quick commutes. You should also be aware of how easy it is to mount your chosen seat on vehicles with no lower anchors or tether connectors, as they are less common.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can also be connected to a stroller system to create an all-inclusive child safety solution. This makes it simple to move a baby who is sleeping from your car to a stroller, even in bad conditions and at night. Just make sure you always secure the seat in the stroller before you leave. Leaving it in the car or on the street isn't secure and could allow your baby to exit the seat without supervision which could cause injuries.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, with snug and secure fits and lots of extra padding to ensure safety and comfort. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. The majority of baby car seats can be used rear-facing, which is the preferred position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 need to upgrade to convertible car seats earlier than expected.
A quality infant car seat will come with a harness strap that lies flat against the child's chest and across their hips and the chest clip located at the armpit level, and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to help parents maintain this recommended fit.
When choosing an infant car seat, it is important to remember that children can be trapped if the straps are loose or not secured. It's also unsafe to leave your child unattended in a car seat, so make sure you choose one with an option to lock off your vehicle or an integrated lock.
Our experts test car seats to ensure they're equipped with the most safety features. 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 knowledge will help you select the best car seat for your child and vehicle.