Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?
A well-designed car seat ensures your baby is safe, comfortable and secure on the road. But which one is most suitable for your baby?
Choosing the right infant car seat can be difficult. There are infant car seats best to think about, including latch hooks, belt paths, and load legs. Here's what you must be aware of in order to make the right choice for your family.
Easy to Use
You'll want to select an option that is easy to set up and use, whether you're purchasing an infant car seat for a new baby or upgrading your toddler's seat. Take into consideration the size of the seat base and the car, as well as how the seat is suited to your baby's height and weight, and useful extra features such as the lay-flat option that can double as a bassinet for a stroller.
Infant-only seats are a great option for babies as they're typically narrower than convertible car seats and fit newborns more snugly. They come with a harness to help your child's head during an accident, which will reduce the strain on their neck or the spinal cord.
Convertible car seats are great for parents who want to keep their babies rear-facing for as long as they can since most of these models allow children to sit in a rear-facing position up to the point that they're 30 pounds or greater. If you decide on a convertible car seat, look for one that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government and has a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds or more.
When you're looking for a car seat, it's important to remember that even though all carseats must conform to the strict NHTSA safety standards There are a variety of different models available on the market. To avoid the hassle and risk of a dangerous or defective seat, choose one that's approved by a reputable business or organization, and check for recent recalls and manufacturer complaints.
Top-rated car seats are made with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and a variety of recline positions. Some car seats offer additional padding on the shoulder strap and around the buckle to ensure your child is comfy during long road trips. If you're driving a small vehicle, you should consider an infant car seat that is narrow like the Clek Liing. It is less than 17 inches wide and is able to be installed in all vehicles. The UPPAbaby Mezza Max, that can be used in conjunction together with UPPAbaby Strollers is a great choice for families in search of an easy car seat. The auto-retracting harness, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all very easy to use.
Safety Features
Whether you're looking for a secure, lightweight infant car seat to take your little one on long trips or simply need to ensure your child is comfortable during the duration of a trip there are a few important aspects that are worth keeping in mind. Take into consideration the weight and height limits of your infant seat. This will determine the length of time your child can safely spend in the seat. Choose a seat that is able to accommodate the 90th centile of your child's height prior to turning 1. Consider whether you might want to put a coat or blanket over the harness straps. The AAP cautions against this as thick clothing could compress in the event of a crash, making the straps too loose for your child to be secured and increase the risk of injury.
Other factors to consider are whether you're planning to attach your car seat using a vehicle belt or the LATCH system, and whether it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. A car seat that can be fitted onto a base that is compatible is ideal if you intend to use it for the majority of your car trips and will save you time and energy by not having to remove it and reinstall it every time you use the vehicle.
In our testing, the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned top marks for its ease of installation and adjustments, with reviewers commenting that it "has everything you need to have a quick and easy installation." This includes LATCH connectors of premium quality that slide out of the base, and turn green once fully connected. Also included are a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers and spring-loaded leveling feet.
Another option is the affordable Baby Trend Secure-Lift, which we've found to be just as easy to use as other models that cost twice as much. Our testers have been raving about its five-position headrest, height-adjustable that adapts to the size of your baby harness, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade makes the perfect choice for infants, thanks to its unique 180-degree sleeping position. This lets them rest comfortably and for longer on road trips. It is also acknowledged for its safety by consumer champion Which? ADAC awarded it the highest laboratory rating for car seats for infants.
Rear-facing Options
In most vehicles the safest place for a newborn is in the rear seat at the center. The seat in the center is furthest away from any potential collision, and will shield your baby from harm in the event of an accident. You should choose an infant car seat which allows your child to sit backwards for around an entire year. It is also essential to make sure the car seat is properly installed and that the headrest fits perfectly against your child's head and chest. The easiest way to do this is to consult an experienced child passenger safety technician who will give you the most current recommendations for car seat use and installation. Find one in your area here.
Choosing the right car seat for your baby is a major investment that you'll probably use for a long period of time, so you'll want to choose a seat with an amazing crash test sensor and score as along with features to keep your child safe. The Clek LIing is an excellent choice for parents looking for an infant rear-facing seat that is affordable. It scored highly in our sensor and analysis test, has an easy LATCH system that changes color to show when the buckle straps are correctly secured to the car and an extra load leg that helps avoid frontal collisions.
Strategist senior editor and mother of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit for her two daughters who both went from birth until age 6. The harness's adjustable height and size allow it to be adapted to children of all sizes, including taller ones. It's a good option for a variety of vehicles and comes with a modest 50-pound weight limit for rear-facing children. Additionally, it can be converted into a booster seat that Trolio used with her youngest daughter up until she was 10 years old. young.
Nuna RAVA is another affordable alternative. It doesn't have a base like the majority of seats, however it is still extremely simple to put in using either method with its rigid LATCH connectors, which flip out from the bottom of the seat. They automatically turn green when secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is also a comfortable seat for babies, thanks to an unrethread harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders that allow you to attach the straps without taking your baby from the seat. LaBracio also found the six-position recline useful.
Forward-Facing Options
Necks of children can be cradled by the seat back in front-facing seats rather than being pushed forward on the car seat. This is a way to protect them from collisions with the sides. Car seats typically allow children to ride rear-facing until they weigh more than 20 pounds and a year old. However, many experts suggest that children remain rear-facing as long as they can because their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when they're ready to switch to a forward-facing seat.
When looking for options for forward-facing seats, make sure they meet the i-Size requirements, have a padded harness pocket, and a padded headrest. Make sure you know the maximum height and weight limit, and consider purchasing a car seat that will be able to grow with your child until they are a booster seat. Certain models have an all-in-one feature that lets your child move from a rear-facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing car seat.
It is also important to think about whether the seat fits your vehicle properly, particularly if you have a small trunk space or a car with a low clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the owner's manual of the vehicle to ensure the best fit.
Look for a car-seat that provides good support and comfort to your child. Long trips in the vehicle will be more enjoyable if they can sleep comfortably. This can include features like an adjustable headrest or a five-point harness which can be tightened from the back of the seat and a wide range of recline positions.
Once you've narrowed your options, you should consider the policies regarding crash replacement for the car seat you're looking at. These can vary from the manufacturer's replacement policy to a case-by-case analysis.
After you've done your research and determined what kind of car seats you'd like to purchase then you can begin shopping. You can also ask family members with young children for recommendations. You can also request a Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to help you select the best car seat for your newborn.