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Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant car seat is the most safest option for newborns. Using a car seat incorrectly could cause injury or death, so it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing.
The base of the car seat needs to be slightly retracted. This will help to keep the baby's chin and head off their chests, which will reduce the risk of sustaining asphyxia in a position.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats for newborns. There are two types of car seats for newborns that include an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It really is a matter of personal preference and the way in which the seat will be used. If you are planning to use the seat as part of an auto travel system and will be moving vehicles often, a baby car seat might be the better choice. If rear facing infant car seat are looking for an automobile seat that will expand with your child and become a booster or go beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best choice.
Infant cars seats are designed specifically for newborns and infants and are designed to be used in the rear-facing position and are the safest method for traveling for small ones. They are also typically less expensive than convertible car seats but can have a shorter lifespan. Most seats must be replaced when your child is at the weight or height limit (which can vary greatly between seats) or if their age is reached.
Convertible baby chairs, or all-in-one car seats as they are often referred to, are designed to take your infant from birth up through their toddler years and on into their school years. They are typically used as a forward-facing or rear-facing seat and some can even be transformed into an adult booster seat.
Many of the best car seats for infants are convertible and have various features, like a smooth rotation function, easy harness adjustment and an foam base made of EPS, which 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 ensuring that their child is secure and comfortable.
It is essential to ensure that the car seat you pick is compatible with your vehicle and it also has LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look for safety features, such as shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. If you're unsure about the type of car seat that is best for your family, speak to an experienced car seat technician. They will guide you through the options and help you pick the appropriate seat for your child.
Safety
If you're in the market for a baby car seat convertible car seat, baby-friendly travel systems it is important to make sure that the product you choose is safe and meets strict safety standards. This is especially crucial for infants since they are smaller, lighter and more fragile than older children. Look for seats that have five-point safety harnesses that attaches between the legs in the crotch, around the waist and below the shoulders when the child is facing rearwards or above the shoulders when the child is forward-facing. This will prevent your child from being thrown out of the seat in case of an unexpected stop or crash.
It is recommended to choose seats that are secured to the vehicle by either lower anchors or seat belts, and has a top tether that prevents the car seat from moving forward in a crash and potentially obstructing breathing of the child. Also, ensure that the recline angle of the seat is in the right direction. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat which is too forward.
It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper installation of your particular model. It's a good idea to consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy or immediately after the birth of your baby. A professional can guarantee an excellent installation.
Another aspect to consider is compatibility with strollers. If you intend to use a stroller frequently, consider an infant car seat and stroller combo that connects seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for parents who are busy, since it makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller, and vice versa when you're running errands or taking an outing with the family.
Always place your seat on a hard surface (such as car seats or bases) and not on a soft surface like beds or sofas or a bed, as this could cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured or even killed. Leaving an infant/baby seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces may cause suffocation.
Easy to Use
A car seat can only offer the most effective protection when it is properly used each time. Unfortunately, a lot of car seat injuries are the result of errors. These include not following product instructions, improper installation or using accessories from aftermarket, and placing the child in the wrong position.
To help reduce the risk of error, a good infant car seat for newborns will come with easy-to-read instructions for installation and features that help to ensure proper usage. Some brands, such as CYBEX include visual indicators or click sounds that confirm that the seat has been installed correctly. This is important as studies have proven that improper use of a car seat could be responsible for as much as 50% of injuries caused by 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 is just for a short period of time. Unsupervised, a baby in a car seat that is safe or carrier can fall onto soft surfaces like couches or beds, causing serious injuries or even death. The seats can also fall on their side and cause an inability to breathe.
Choosing the best car seat for your infant is based on a variety of factors including the type of lifestyle and longevity. A all-in-one model may be more affordable initially, but it might not be suitable for smaller infants as well, and is less versatile than a convertible car seat or booster. For parents who intend to travel frequently, a lightweight, easy-to-install seat is a must for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to require seats that can be easily installed without the base and then in taxis or Uber.
A seat that can be attached to strollers is a ideal option for parents with a newborn who are looking to minimize the amount of luggage they carry around the city or on plane flights. This is especially the case in the event that you intend to commute on public transportation frequently and live in a big city. Many seats can be attached to UPPAbaby's strollers for easy, and simple commutes. Also, be aware of the installation of your seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections since they are not commonly found in many models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats work with stroller travel systems that allow you to design a an all-inclusive solution to ensure the safety of your child. This makes it easier to move your baby from the car to the stroller in bad weather or at night. Make sure to secure the seat in the stroller prior to you leave. Leaving it in the car or on the street isn't a good idea and could let your child exit the seat without supervision which could cause injuries.
Car seats for infants are specially made for infants and infants who are smaller. They provide a snug and secure fit and plenty of padding for comfort and security. They're typically lighter than convertible car seats, making them easy to carry on short trips. The majority of infant car seats are made to be used rear facing, which is endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most secure position for young children.
They have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. Typically, children outgrow their infant car seats between the ages of nine months and a year. It is possible that you will have to upgrade your car seat to a convertible model sooner than you think.
A great infant car seat will have a harness strap that lies flat against the child's chest and over their hips and the chest clip at the armpit level, and the crotch buckle laid flat across their thighs. Some models come with adjustable and removable inserts that allow parents to get the perfect fit.
It's important to remember that straps that are loose or unfastened children could be strangled. It's also risky to let a child ride in a car without supervision. Select a seat that has a lockoff function for your vehicle, or with an integrated locking mechanism.
The car seats we test are designed to offer the highest level of safety. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor has more car seat installation and scoring expertise than anyone else and is with his mom of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and Abriah Wofford an Analyst for Senior Reviews who has been testing seats since 2016. Our team's knowledge and expertise help you find the right seat for your child and your vehicle.