Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A good car seat will keep your baby safe, secure and comfortable when you're on the road. Which one is the most suitable for your child?

With features such as latch hooks, load legs and belt routes to consider, picking the right car seat for your infant can be a challenge. Here's everything you need be aware of to make the right decision for your family.

Easy of Use

If you're looking for an infant car seat for travel car seat for your baby or upgrading from an infant car seat, you'll need a model that is easy to set up and use. Consider the size and weight of your child, the seat's capacity in your car, and any extra features, like a lay-flat option which can also be used as stroller.

Infant-only seats can be an ideal option for infants because they tend to be shorter and fit more snugly than convertible car seats. They have a harness to ensure your child's head is supported in an accident, which could reduce the stress on their neck or the spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are great for parents who want to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they are able to. Most models allow children to sit rear-facing until the weight is 30 pounds or greater. If you decide on a convertible car seat, you should look for one that meets the federal safety standards and has a weight limit of 50 pounds or more.

It's important to keep in mind that even though all car seats must meet strict NHTSA standards there are a myriad of models available. To avoid the stress and danger of a defective or dangerous seat, choose one that's certified by a reliable company or a reputable organization, and also look for recalls or complaints from manufacturers.

The top-rated car seats for newborns feature skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding and a variety of recline positions. Some of them also have padding near the buckle area and on the shoulder harness to help your baby remain comfortable on long travel. If you have a smaller vehicle, look for a smaller infant seat, such as the Clek Liing that is under 17 inches in width and is easy to install in most cars. The Mesa Max from UPPAbaby that is specifically designed for use with UPPAbaby strollers, is another great choice for families who require a car seat with no fuss that is simple to use. The auto-retracting harness, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all very easy to use.

Safety Features

There are some aspects when selecting an infant car seat. If you're looking to ensure your child is safe throughout the entire journey or you are looking for a lightweight, safe car seat for your child to use on long trips, it's important to keep in mind a few aspects. Consider the weight and height limits of your infant seat. This will determine how long your baby can be safe in the seat and so, choose a seat that can be adjusted to at least your child's 90th percentile measurement prior to when they turn one. Consider whether you would like to put a blanket or coat on the straps of the harness. The AAP recommends against this since thick clothing can compress in a crash and make the straps too loose to restrain your child, increasing the risk of injuries.

You should also think about whether your car seat will be fitted using the LATCH system or a belt on a vehicle or if it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. If you plan to use your seat for the majority of your car rides it is best to select one that fits easily onto the base that is compatible with it. This will save you time and energy since you won't have to remove and reinstall your seat each time you take a trip in the car.

The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which was awarded Best of The Bump, received top marks in our tests for its ease of installation and adjustments. Testers stated that it "has everything needed to ensure a fast, easy installation." It comes with premium LATCH connectors that flip out of the base, and then turn green when they are fully connected. Also included are a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers as well as a spring-loaded leveling feet.

The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another excellent option. We found it to be easy to use and as affordable as models costing twice as much. The adjustable headrest that can be adjusted to five positions that grows with your child, its buckle holders with magnetic buckles, and its no-rethread harness have been praised by our test subjects.

The Maxi-Cosi Jade is a great choice for newborns due to its unique 180-degree sleeping position. This lets them sleep comfortably and longer during travel. It has also been praised for its safety by consumer champion Which? declaring it to be one of the safest infant car seat travel car seats on the market as well as ADAC giving it the highest lab score for a car seat for infants.

Rear-facing Options

In most cars the safest place for a newborn is in the middle rear seat. The center seat is the furthest away from any potential impact, and will protect your baby in the event of an accident. If you are able, select an infant car seat that lets your child sit rear-facing up to one year old. It's also crucial to ensure that the car seat is correctly installed and that the headrest fits perfectly against your child's chest and head. The best way to accomplish this is to speak with a certified child passenger safety technician, who will provide you with the most current guidelines for car seat use and installation. Find one in your locality here.

The car seat you select for your infant will be a major investment, and you'll use it for a long time. You'll want a seat that has a good crash test score as well as an analysis score. It should also come with features to keep your baby comfortable. The Clek LIing is an excellent option for parents who are seeking an infant seat with a rear view that is affordable. It scored highly in our sensor and analysis test. It has a simple LATCH system that changes color to show whether the buckle straps have been properly attached to the car and a load-leg that helps prevent frontal collisions.

Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, used the Graco Extend2Fit to fit her daughters, who were both born up to age six. The harness's adjustable height and size allow it to fit children of all sizes as well as taller ones. The seat is suitable for various vehicles, and it has the weight limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. Additionally, the seat can be converted into a booster, which Trolio used for her daughter's oldest until she was 10 years old.

Nuna RAVA is another affordable alternative. It does not have a base, however it is still simple to install using the LATCH connectors that are rigid. They flip off the bottom and then turn green when the seat is attached to the vehicle. The RAVA is a comfortable baby car seat seat [Championsleage.review] without rethreads. Magnetic buckle holders make it easy to secure the straps, without having to remove your baby from the car seat. It also comes with the ability to recline in six positions which LaBracio discovered useful.

Options with a Forward-Facing Focus

In front-facing seats children's necks are held in the seat back, instead of being pushed forward by a hard vehicle seat. This also helps protect children from side-impacts better. The majority of car seats allow infants up to 20 pounds and one year of age to sit backwards. Many experts advise that children remain rear-facing for as long as they are able to. Their neck muscles and bones are stronger when it's time to move to a front-facing seat.

When looking at options for forward-facing car seats, ensure they meet iSize requirements, have a padded head rest, and a large harness pocket. Check the maximum height and weight limit and think about purchasing a car seat that can be able to grow with your child until they are a booster seat. Some models have an all-in-one feature that lets the child to be moved from a rear-facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing seat that has a harness and then to the booster seat.

It's also important to consider whether the seat will fit in your vehicle properly, particularly when you have a limited trunk space or a car with a low clearance. Take a look at the dimensions of the car seat and the owner's manual to ensure the most appropriate fit.

Finally, you should look for a car seat that provides good support and comfort for your child's body. Long journeys in the car will be easier if they can sleep comfortably. This could include features such as the ability to recline the seat back and a five-point harness that tightens from the back of your seat, and a range of recline positions.

After narrowing your options down, you'll want to look at the policies regarding crash replacement of the car seats you're looking at. These can vary from the manufacturer's replacement policy, to a case-by -case review.

After you've done your research and determined the type of car seat you'd like, you can start shopping. You can also ask your friends with young children for recommendations. You can also book an appointment for a Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to help you select the best car seat for a newborn.