Choosing infant car seat in front seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the safest choice for infants. It is crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing the car seat.
The base of the car seat should be slightly retracted. This will help to keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, which will reduce the risk for positional asphyxia.
Types
When selecting a car seat for newborns there are two primary types to take into consideration. A car seat for infants and convertible baby car seats. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really is a matter of personal preference and the way in which the seat is utilized. If you intend to use the seat as a part of an itinerary and you will be changing vehicles often the infant car seat may be the better choice. However, if you're looking for a long-lasting car seat that can grow with your child until the stage of a booster seat then an convertible car seat could be the better choice.
Infant cars seats are designed specifically for newborns and infants and are used in the rear-facing position and are the safest way to travel for little babies. They are generally cheaper, but they have a shorter life-span than convertible car seat. The majority of seats need to be replaced once your child is at the maximum weight or height (which will vary widely between seats) or if their age group is reached.
Convertible baby chairs, or all-in-one car seats, as they are often called are designed to accommodate your baby from birth through their toddler years and into their school age years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats for newborns will have a range of features. These include a smooth rotating feature, an easy harness adjustment and a base constructed of EPS foam which is similar to Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents as they make it easier to get their babies into and out of their seats, while still ensuring their child is comfortable and safe.
It is crucial to make sure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your vehicle and it also has LATCH to allow for simple installation. You should also check the safety features such as shock-absorbent material and side impact protection. Find a reputable car seat specialist if you are unsure about which seat is right for your family. They'll be able talk about your choices and help you pick the perfect seat for your baby.
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 particularly important for newborns, as they weigh less and are smaller than older children. Look for a seat that has five-point safety harnesses that is attached between the legs between the crotch and below the shoulders when the child is rear-facing or above the shoulders when the child is facing forward. This helps secure your child and prevents them from being thrown from the seat during a crash or sudden stop.
It is also recommended to look for a car seat that is attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which stops the seat from moving forward in a accident, and also obstructing a child's airway. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is right. Infants can easily become stuck in a seat that is too forward.
The most important thing is to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding the proper installation of your specific model. It's recommended to consult a certified car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child, as the expert will help you ensure that your installation is flawless every time.
Another factor to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use a stroller frequently then you should think about an infant car seat and stroller combination that clicks together seamlessly. This is a great choice for busy parents, as it is easy to transfer your child from the car to the stroller and back when you're running errands or taking a family walk.
Always use your seat on a solid surface (such as car seats or bases) and not on a soft surface like beds or sofas because this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child getting injured or even dying. 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 cause death by suffocation.
Easy to Use
A car seat will only provide the highest level of protection in the event that it is used correctly every time. Unfortunately, a significant number of injuries in car seats result from errors. Some of these include not following the manufacturer's instructions, incorrect installations, using aftermarket products, and putting the child into a wrong position.
To help reduce the risk of a mistake, a quality infant car seat is one that has easy-to-read installation instructions and features that allow you to ensure correct usage. Certain brands, like CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the car seat has been installed correctly. This is important because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of a car seat could be the cause of up to half of all car seat-related injuries.
It is also crucial to keep in mind that you should never leave your baby in an infant car seat or in a carrier out of your vehicle even for a short time. Unsupervised, a baby in a safety car seat or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces like couches or beds and cause serious injury or even death. The seats could also tip over on their sides, leading to the death of a child.
Selecting the right car seat for your baby is dependent on a variety of factors, such as lifestyle and longevity. A one-piece model is cheaper upfront but may not fit smaller babies as well and is less flexible than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who are planning to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is a must and urban dwellers are likely to want seats that can be easily installed without a base and can be used in a taxi or Uber.
A seat that is attached to strollers is a excellent option for families who are looking to reduce the amount of luggage they carry in town or on airplane flights. This is particularly relevant if you live in a city and plan to frequent public transportation, as many seats can be connected to an UPPAbaby stroller, which allows for simple, effortless journeys. Also, pay close attention to the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections as they aren't commonly found in many models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems, allowing you to create an entire solution for child safety. This makes it easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Make sure to secure the seat in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car or in the street isn't safe and can allow your baby to exit the stroller without supervision and could result in injuries.
Infant car seats are designed specifically for newborns and smaller infants, featuring comfortable and secure fit and lots of extra padding for comfort and safety. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry for short distances. The majority of infant car seats can be used with rear-facing, which is the preferred position by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, they have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats. Children typically outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you could need to upgrade to convertible car seats sooner than you expected.
A safe infant car seat will include a strap that is flat against the child's chest, over their hips and with the chest clip placed in the armpit of the child. The crotch buckle must be flat across the child's thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts to aid parents in maintaining this recommended fit.
When choosing an infant car seat, it is important to be aware that babies can be trapped if the straps are loose or unfastened. It's also not safe to leave a child unattended in a car seat, so choose one that has a lockoff feature for your vehicle, or a built-in lock.
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 else and is joined by mom 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 expertise and knowledge will help you choose the right seat for both your child and vehicle.