Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants, the rear-facing infant car seat is the
best car seat for newborn option. It is crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The base of the car seat should be slightly retracted. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chest, reducing the risk for positional asphyxia.
Types
When selecting a car seat suitable for infants there are two primary types to consider. A
baby car seat and a convertible baby car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It is a matter of preference and how the seat will be used. If you intend to use the seat as part of an auto travel system and will be changing vehicles often, a baby
car seats newborn seat might be the best choice. If you would prefer an extremely durable
car seat inserts for newborns seat that will grow with your child to the stage of a booster seat, then an convertible car seat could be a better choice.
Car seats for infants are specially made for babies and newborns and are always used with the backwards 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. Most seats will need to be replaced when your child is at the limit of their weight or height (which can differ greatly between seats) or if their age group is reached.
Convertible baby seats, also known as all-in-one car seats as they are sometimes called are designed to carry your baby from birth through their toddler years and on into their school years. They can be used as a rear-facing or forward-facing seat and some can even be transformed into an adult booster seat.
A lot of the top car seats for infants are convertible and have a range of features, including smooth rotation as well as a simple harness adjustment. an EPS foam base that is basically Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their children in and out of the seat easier, while also ensuring their children are kept comfortable and secure.
When choosing a car seat, it's essential to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and comes with LATCH for ease of installation. It's also important to check the safety features, like shock-absorbing materials and side impact protection. If you're uncertain about what type of seat is the best fit for your family, speak to a qualified
car seat for newborn seat technician. They'll be able talk about your options and help you select the best seat for your baby.
Safety
Whether you're shopping for a baby car seat convertible car seat, baby-ready travel systems, you need to make sure that the product you choose meets stringent safety standards. This is especially crucial for infants since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Look for a seat with a five-point harness that attaches to the shoulders below (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) or between the legs and around the crotch. This will prevent your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.
It is also recommended to look for a car seat that can be secured to the vehicle by lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also have a top tether, which stops the seat from moving forward in the event of a crash, and obstructing the airway of a child. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is correct. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat which is too forward.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for proper installation of your particular model. It's a good idea consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or immediately after the birth of your baby. This professional can ensure a perfect installation.
It is also a factor to consider. If you plan to frequently use your stroller you should consider an infant car and stroller combo that clicks seamlessly together. This is a great choice for busy parents as it allows them to easily transfer their child from the stroller to the car, and vice versa, when they're doing on errands.
Finally, always make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces, such as a bed or sofa, as these can cause the seat to tip over, possibly hurting or even killing your child. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces could cause the suffocation of your child.
Simple to Use
The best protection is possible only if the car seat has been properly used every time. Unfortunately, many car injuries to children's seats are caused by mistakes. These include not following product instructions, not installing properly, using aftermarket accessories, and placing the child in the wrong position.
To minimize the risk of error, a reliable infant
car seat newborn insert 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 ensure that the seat has been installed correctly. This is important because studies have shown incorrect use of car seats can be responsible for as much as half of all injuries attributed to car seats.
It is important to remember that you must never leave your child in a car seat or carrier, even if it is just for a short period of time. Unsupervised, a baby in a car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces like couches or beds, causing serious injuries or even death. The seats could also slide over their sides which can cause the death of a child.
The ideal infant car seat will depend on several aspects, such as your lifestyle and the long-term durability of the seat. An all-in-one model can be less expensive initially, but may not fit smaller babies as well and is less adaptable than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, simple to install seat is vital for parents who travel often. Urban dwellers may prefer a seat that can be used in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle without 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 have to carry around town or on flight. This is particularly applicable if you reside in a city, and plan to take public transport frequently since many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller, which allows for simple, effortless commuting. It is important to pay attention to how easy it is to mount the seat you want to use on vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connectors, as they are less common.
Convenience
Many infant car seats be connected to a stroller system to create a complete child safety gear solution. This makes it simple to move a baby who is sleeping from your car to a stroller even in bad weather and at night. Just make sure you always put 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 lead to injuries.
Car seats for infants are specially designed for babies and infants who are smaller. They have a snug and secure fit and plenty of padding for comfort and security. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seat which makes them easier to carry over short distances. Most infant car seats are made to be used rear-facing, which is endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for children in the early years.
They have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Children usually outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. You might have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible one sooner than you thought.
A great infant car seat should have the strap for harness that sits flat against the child's chest and across their hips with the chest clip placed at the armpit level, and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to aid parents in maintaining the recommended fit.
When choosing an infant car seat, it is important to keep in mind that babies can be strangled if the straps become loose or unfastened. It is also dangerous to leave a child in a car without supervision. Choose a seat with an option to lock off your vehicle, or one with a built-in locking mechanism.
The car seats we test are designed to provide the best possible safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone else and is 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 experience and knowledge will help you choose the best seat for your child and your vehicle.
