Here's A Little-Known Fact Concerning Car Seat For Newborn
Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant seat is the most safest option for newborns. It's vital to follow the directions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The car seat's base should be a bit reclined which helps keep the baby's head back and the chin away from their chest, decreasing the risk of positioning asphyxia.
Types
There are two types of car seats suitable for infants. An infant car seat and a convertible baby car seat. Both have their pros and drawbacks however it all depends on your the individual preference and how you intend to use the seat. If you intend to utilize the seat as part of an itinerary and will be switching between vehicles often, then an infant car seat could be more suitable. If, however, you're looking for a long-lasting car seat that will grow with your child into a booster seat and beyond the age of an convertible car seat could be a better choice.
Infant car seats are specifically made for babies and newborns and are designed to be used in the reverse facing position. This is the most secure travel option for small children. They are also typically less expensive than convertible car seats, but they can have a shorter lifespan. They are most likely to require replacement once your child reaches their weight or height limits (which can vary widely between seats) or when they exceed their age group.
Convertible car seats, also referred to as all-in-one seats are designed to transport your baby from birth through their toddler years, and on into their school years. They are typically used as a rear-facing or forward-facing seat, and some can be converted into a booster seat.
Many of the best convertible car seats for newborns will have a range of features. They include a smooth rotation feature, an easy harness adjustment, and a base made of EPS foam that is similar to Styrofoam. Parents love these features because they make getting their infants in and out of the car seat simpler, while ensuring their children are kept comfortable and secure.
When choosing a car seat, it's important to ensure that it's compatible with your vehicle and has LATCH to make installation easy. It's also worth checking the safety features, including shock-absorbing materials as well as side impact protection. If you're unsure about what type of seat is best for your family, speak to a certified car seat technician. They can guide you through the options and help you pick the best seat for your baby.
Safety
It is essential to ensure that the model you select has been tested to meet the highest safety standards, no matter if you are looking for convertible car seats or an infant car seat a travel system for your baby. This is especially important for newborns as they are smaller and lighter than older children. Choose a seat with five-point harnesses that are attached below the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing), between the legs and around the crotch. This will secure your child and prevents them from being thrown from the seat during an accident or sudden stop.
You'll also want to find a car seat that can be attached to the vehicle using lower anchors or a seat belt. It should also include top tethers, which prevents the seat from advancing in a collision, and blocking the airway for children. Be sure that the recline angle is correct as well, since newborns can easily become trapped in a car seat that's too high up.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding proper installation for your particular model. It is a good idea to consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or immediately after the birth of your baby. A qualified professional can ensure an excellent installation.
Another aspect to think about is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use a stroller frequently you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combination that clicks together seamlessly. This is a great choice for parents who are busy, since it is simple to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller, and vice versa when you're running errands or taking strolls with the family.
Finally, always make sure portable infant car seat place your seat on hard surfaces (like a car seat base or a car) and never place it on soft ones, such as a bed or sofa or a couch, as these could cause the seat to tip over, potentially causing injury or even death to your child. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces may lead to the suffocation of your child.
Easy of Use
The best protection is only possible if the car seat is used correctly every time. Unfortunately, a large number of injuries that occur in car seats involve errors. These include not following the product instructions, improper installation, using aftermarket accessories, and putting the child in an improper position.
To minimize the risk of error, a reliable infant car seat for newborns will come with easy-to-read instructions for installation and features that help to ensure proper usage. Certain brands, like CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial as studies have proven that improper use of a car seat can be responsible for up to half of all car seat-related injuries.
Also, be aware that you should never leave your child in a car seat or carrier, even if it is only for a few minutes. If a child is left unattended, the safety seat could fall and land on soft surfaces like beds or couches and cause serious injuries or death. The seats may also slide over their sides and cause an inability to breathe.
Choosing the best car seat for your infant is based on a variety of factors such as lifestyle and longevity. All-in-one seats are less expensive initially, but they may not suit smaller infants as well and may be less flexible than a booster or convertible car seat. If parents plan to travel often and require a light, easy-to-install seat is a must, while urban dwellers are likely to require a seat that can be easily installed without a base and can be used in taxis or Uber.
A seat that can be connected to strollers is a great choice for new parents who are looking to reduce the amount of luggage they carry around the city or on plane flights. This is especially true when you plan to travel via public transport often and reside in a large city. A lot of seats can be connected to strollers from UPPAbaby for simple, and simple commuting. It is important to be aware of how simple it is to mount your chosen seat on vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connectors, because they aren't as popular.
Convenience
Many infant car seats can also connect to a stroller travel system to create an entire child safety solution. This makes it simple to move a sleepy baby from your car to a stroller even in rainy conditions and at night. Make sure to secure the seat prior to taking off. It's not safe to leave it in the car, or even on the road. Your child could be injured if they leave the seat without supervision.
Infant car seats are made for infants and babies who are smaller. They have a snug and secure fit, and plenty of padding to ensure security and comfort. They tend to be lighter than convertible car seats which makes them more convenient to transport over short distances. The majority of infant car seats can be used with rear-facing, which is the position recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Children usually outgrow their infant seats between nine months and a year. This means that you might require a convertible car seat sooner than you expected.
A safe infant car seat will have 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 should be flat across the child's thighs. Some models come with removable and adjustable inserts that help parents attain the ideal fit.
It is important to keep in mind that when straps are loose or unfastened the baby could be strangled. It's also dangerous to let a child ride in a car without a guardian. Select a car seat that has a lockoff function for your vehicle, or one that has a built-in locking mechanism.
The car seats our experts test are engineered to offer the best safety features possible. Bob Hoffman, Senior Review Editor of Consumer Reports, has the most experience with 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 experience will assist you in choosing the best seat for your child and your vehicle.