Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
For infants who are rear-facing, the rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option. It is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The car seat base should be a little reclined which helps keep the baby's head tucked back and chin off their chest reducing the risk of positional asphyxia.
Types
When selecting the best car seat for infants there are two primary types to take into consideration. There are two types of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have their pros and disadvantages however it all depends on your personal preference and how you plan on using the seat. If you intend to use the seat as a part of a travel system and you'll be moving between vehicles often the infant car seat could be the best choice. If you want a car seat that will grow 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 always placed in the rear position, which is the safest way to travel for little babies. These seats are typically less expensive but have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Most will require replacement once your child reaches their weight or height limits (which can vary widely between seats) or when they reach the top of 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 even into their school years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing one.
Many of the best car seats for newborns are convertible and will have a range of features, like smooth rotation as well as a simple harness adjustment. an foam base made of EPS that is basically Styrofoam. Parents appreciate these features since they make getting their children in and out of the car seat simpler, while ensuring their children are comfortable and safe.
When selecting a car seat, it's essential to make sure it's compatible with your vehicle and comes with LATCH for ease of installation. You should also check the safety features, such as shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. Get a certified car seat expert if you are unsure which seat is the best one for your family. They can guide you through the options and help you pick the right seat for your child.
Safety
Always ensure that the product you select is safe and meets the strictest standards, whether you are shopping for a convertible car seat, infant car seat or a travel system for your baby. This is particularly important for babies, since they are smaller and lighter than older children. Look for seats that have five-point safety harnesses that can be stowed 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 helps secure your child and prevents them from being thrown out of the seat during an accident or sudden stop.
If you want to be sure, choose an item that is secured to the vehicle with either lower anchors or seat belts, and also has the option of a top tether to prevent the car seat from moving forward in an accident and could block the child's breathing. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is in the right direction. Infants can easily become stuck in a seat that is too forward.
The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding proper installation for the model you have chosen. It's a good idea consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or shortly after the birth of your baby. This professional can ensure a perfect installation.
The compatibility of strollers is a further factor to think about. If you are planning to use a stroller often, consider an infant car seat and stroller combination that connects seamlessly. pushchairsandprams.uk is a great choice for busy parents, as it is easy to move your child from the car to the stroller and back while running errands or taking a family walk.
Finally, always make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like car seat bases or a car) and never place it on soft surfaces like couches or beds as they can cause the seat to tip over, possibly injuring or even killing your child. If you leave your infant's or baby's seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces can also cause the suffocation of your child.
User-Friendliness
A car seat will only provide the highest level of protection when it is properly used each time. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries in car seats are caused by mistakes. These include not following product instructions, improper installation or using accessories from aftermarket, and putting the child into an incorrect position.
A quality infant car seat will have clear instructions for installation as well as features that will to ensure proper usage. Certain brands, like CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important as studies have shown that incorrect use of a car seat can be responsible for up to half of all car seat-related injuries.
It is important to be aware that you should never leave your infant in the car seat or a carrier even if it's only for a few minutes. If a child is left unattended, a safety seat can fall and fall onto soft surfaces, like beds or couches which can cause serious injuries or death. The seats can also fall on their side and cause suffocation.
The best infant car seat is determined by several aspects, such as your lifestyle and the long-term durability of the seat. An all-in-one model can be more affordable initially, but it may not work for smaller babies as well and is less flexible than a convertible car seat or booster. A lightweight, easy-to-install seat is essential for parents who travel frequently. Urban dwellers might prefer a seat that can be installed in a taxi, Uber, or other vehicle that does not have the base.
A seat that is attached to strollers is a excellent option for families who are looking to reduce the amount they have to carry in town or on airplane flights. This is true when you plan to travel via public transport often and live in a big city. A lot of seats can be paired with UPPAbaby's strollers to facilitate simple commutes. Additionally, you must be attentive to the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections, as they aren't common in most models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats be connected to a stroller system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it easy to move a baby who is sleeping from your car to a stroller, even in rainy conditions and at night. Be sure to put the seat in the stroller prior to you leave. It's unsafe to leave it in the car, or on the street. Your child may be injured if they exit the seat without supervision.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and smaller infants, featuring snug and secure fittings with plenty of padding for safety and comfort. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry over short distances. Most baby car seats can be used rear-facing, which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
They have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and one year. You may require upgrading your car seat to a convertible model sooner than you think.
A good infant car safety seat should have a strap flat against the child's chest, over their hips and with the chest clip located in the armpit of the child. The crotch buckle should be flat across the child’s thighs. Some models have adjustable and removable inserts that help parents get the perfect fit.
It's important to remember that if the straps are loose or unfastened, babies can be strangled. It's also unsafe 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 provide the best safety features possible. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone else, and he's joined by the mother of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and Abriah Wofford, a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since 2016. Our team's experience and expertise will assist you in choosing the best seat for your child and vehicle.