Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the safest option for newborns. If a car seat is installed incorrectly, it can lead to injuries or even death, so it is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing.
The car seat base should be a bit reclined which helps to naturally keep the baby's head in a forward position and keep their the chest away from the chin, reducing the risk of positional asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats for newborns. There are two kinds of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages however it all depends on your personal preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you intend to use the seat in a travel system, and will be changing vehicles often, an infant car seat might be the better choice. If, however, you would prefer a durable car seat that will grow with your child to an adult booster seat and beyond, 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. These seats are typically cheaper, but they have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats. They are most likely to need to be replaced once your child has reached their weight or height limit (which can vary widely between seats) or when they reach the top of their age group.
Convertible car seats, also known as all-in-one carseats, are designed to carry your infant from birth to their toddler years, and into their school years. They can usually be used as a rear-facing or forward-facing seat, and some can be converted into an adult booster seat.
A lot of the top rated infant car seats car seats for infants are convertible and have a range of features, including smooth rotation with easy harness adjustment, and an EPS foam base that is essentially Styrofoam. These features are popular with parents because they make it easier for parents to take their infants in and out of their seats, while still ensuring that their child is safe and comfortable.
It is important to ensure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your vehicle and that it has LATCH that allows for quick and easy installation. Also, you should look for safety features, such as shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. Consult a qualified car seat specialist if are unsure about which seat is right for your family. They can guide you through the choices and help you select the appropriate seat for your baby.
Safety
It is essential to ensure that the product you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, no matter if you are shopping for convertible car seats or an infant car seat a travel system ready for your baby. This is especially important for babies since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile 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 facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will secure your child and prevents them from being thrown from the seat in the event of a crash or sudden stop.
You'll also want to find a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or the seat belt. It should also include an upper tether that prevents the seat from moving forward in the event of a crash, and obstructing a child's airway. Also, make sure that the recline angle of the seat is right. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat which is too forward.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions for proper installation of your particular model. It is recommended to work with a certified car seat inspection technician during pregnancy and/or after the birth of your child, since the expert will help you achieve a flawless installation every time.
The compatibility of strollers is a further aspect to take into consideration. If you plan to use your stroller often you should consider an infant car and stroller combo that clicks seamlessly together. This is a great option for parents with busy schedules because it lets them effortlessly transfer their child from the stroller to their car, and vice versa, when they're running on errands.
Always make sure you place your seat on hard surfaces (like car seat bases 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, potentially hurting or even killing your child. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier unsupervised on soft surfaces may result in the suffocation of your child.
Easy of Use
A car seat will only offer the most effective protection if it is used properly every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries that occur in car seats are caused by mistakes. These include not following the product instructions, not installing properly or using accessories from aftermarket, and putting the child in an improper position.
A quality infant car seat will have clear instructions for installation as well as features that help ensure proper use. Some brands, such as CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of car seats can be responsible for as much as 50% of injuries that are related to car seats.
You should also be aware that you should never leave your child in the car seat or in a carrier even if it's only for a few minutes. If a child is left unattended, a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces, like beds or couches and cause serious injuries or even death. The seats can also be flipped over onto their sides, resulting in the death of a child.
Selecting the right infant car seat for your baby is dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of lifestyle and longevity. An all-in-one model can be cheaper upfront but may not fit smaller babies as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who are planning to travel frequently an easy-to-install, lightweight seat is essential, while urban dwellers will likely want a seat that can be easily installed without the base and in a taxi or Uber.
Furthermore, a seat that is compatible with strollers is a great option for new parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry around town, or during flight. This is especially true if you live in a city and plan to use public transportation frequently, as many seats can be linked to an UPPAbaby stroller to allow for easy, quick journeys. Also, pay close attention to the ease of installing your chosen seat in vehicles that don't have lower anchors or tether connections since they are not commonly found in many models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats connect to a stroller travel system to create an all-inclusive child safety solution. This makes it easy to transfer a sleeping baby from your car to a stroller, even in bad conditions and at night. Always secure the seat before driving off. If you leave it in the car or in the street isn't a good idea and could allow your baby to exit the stroller without supervision, which could lead to injury.
Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and infants with smaller sizes, offering snug and secure fittings and lots of extra padding for comfort and safety. They're generally lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry on short trips. The majority of 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. This means that you could require convertible car seats earlier than you expected.
A good infant car seat will have the strap for harness that sits flat against the child's chest and across their hips with the chest clip located at the armpit level, and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models have removable and adjustable inserts that assist parents to maintain this recommended fit.
It is important to keep in mind that if the straps are loose or unfastened children could be strangled. It's also dangerous to let a child ride in a car with no supervision. Select a seat with the ability to lock off your vehicle, or one with an inbuilt locking mechanism.
Our experts test car seats to make sure they have the best car seats for newborns uk safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring expertise than anyone on the planet, and he's joined by mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor, and Abriah Wofford who is a Senior Review Analyst who's been testing seats since the year 2016. Our team's expertise and knowledge will assist you in choosing the best seat for your child and vehicle.