Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants with a rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option. Incorrectly using a car seat could result in injuries or even death, so it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing.
The base of the car seat should be slightly retracted. This will help keep the baby's head and chin off their chests, reducing the chance of asphyxia from a position.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats suitable for infants. There are two kinds of car seats that are suitable for infants: an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really comes down to your personal preference and how the seat is used. If you intend to use the seat as part of a travel system, and will be moving vehicles frequently, an infant car seat may be the best choice. If you're looking for a car seat that can expand with your child and become a booster or even beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best choice.
Infant cars seats are designed specifically for newborns and infants and are used in the rear-facing position, which is the safest method for traveling for small ones. They are also generally less expensive than convertible seats, but may have a shorter life span. They will most likely need to be replaced when your child reaches their weight or height limits (which can vary widely between seats) or when they exceed their age-group limit.
Convertible car seats, also referred to as all-in-one car seats are designed to transport your baby from birth to their toddler years, and on into their school years. They can be used as a rear-facing or forward-facing seat, and some can be converted into an adult booster seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats designed for infants will have a range of features. These include a smooth-rotation feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base made of EPS foam, which is similar to Styrofoam. Parents love these features as they make getting their infants in and out of the seat much easier, while ensuring that their children are safe and safe.
When choosing a car seat, you need to make sure it's compatible with your vehicle and features LATCH for ease of installation. Also, you should look at the safety features, including shock-absorbent materials and side impact protection. If you're unsure about the type of car seat that is best for your family, speak to a certified car seat technician. They'll be able to talk about your options and help you choose the best seat for your newborn.
Safety
It is essential to ensure that the model you select is safe and meets the strictest standards, regardless of whether you're looking for a convertible car seat or an infant car seat a travel system ready for your infant. This is especially crucial for infants as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Find the seat with a five-point safety harness that attaches between the legs, around the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This will stop your child from being thrown from the seat in the event of an abrupt stop or crash.
It is recommended to choose a seat that can be connected to the vehicle using either lower anchors or seat belts, and has the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward during an accident and could block breathing for the child. Make sure the recline angle is correct, too, as newborns are prone to getting trapped in a seat that is too upright.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions for proper installation of your model. It is recommended to consult a certified car seat inspector during pregnancy or after the birth of your child, since this expert can assist you to ensure that your installation is flawless every time.
The compatibility of strollers is a further aspect to take into consideration. If you are planning to frequently use your stroller you should consider an infant car and stroller combination that connects seamlessly. This is an excellent option for busy parents because it lets them easily transfer their baby from the stroller into the car and vice versa when they're running errands.
Finally, always place your seat on solid surfaces (like car seat bases or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces, such as couches or beds as they can cause the seat to tip over, possibly injuring or even killing your child. 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 result in suffocation.
Simple to Use
A car seat will only offer the most effective protection if it is used properly every time. Unfortunately, many car injuries to children's seats are caused by mistakes. Some of them include not following the product instructions, incorrect installations or using products from aftermarket, and putting the child in an incorrect position.
To help reduce the risk of error, a reliable infant car seat for newborns will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that allow you to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, like CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the seat is installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat could be responsible for as much as 50% of all car seat-related injuries.
It is important to keep in mind that you should not leave your infant in the car seat or a carrier even if it's just for a few minutes. Unattended, a baby in a car seat or carrier may fall on soft surfaces like couches or beds and cause serious injury or even death. The seats can also be flipped over onto their sides, resulting in the death of a child.
The best infant car seat will depend on a number of aspects, such as your lifestyle and the durability of the seat. All-in-one car seats are less expensive in the beginning, but they may not fit smaller infants as well, and are less flexible than a convertible or booster car seat. If parents are planning to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to require an option that is easily installed without a base and can be used in a taxi or Uber.
A seat that is attached to strollers is ideal option for parents with a newborn who are looking to minimize the amount they have to carry in the city or on plane flights. This is especially true if you plan to commute via public transport often and live in a major city. Many seats can be paired with UPPAbaby's strollers to facilitate comfortable commutes. Also, be aware of the ease of putting in your seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections, as these are less often found in the majority of models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can be used with stroller travel systems that allow you to design a an entire solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it much easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Always secure the seat before taking off. It's not safe to leave it in the car, or on the street. Your child could be injured if they leave the seat without supervision.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and infants with smaller sizes, offering snug and secure fits and lots of extra padding for comfort and safety. They tend to be lighter than convertible car seats which makes them easier to carry for short distances. Most infant car seats can be used with rear-facing, this is the recommended 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 one year. You might have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible one sooner than you think.
Pushchairs And Prams will have the strap for harness that sits flat against the child's chest and across their hips, with the chest clip at armpit level and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts to help parents get the perfect fit.
It's important to remember that if the straps are loose or unfastened the baby could be strangled. It is also dangerous to leave a child in a car without supervision. Select a car seat with a lockoff function for your vehicle, or one with a built-in locking mechanism.
The car seats our experts test are designed to provide 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 the year 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge will help you select the best car seat for your child and vehicle.