Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A well-designed car seat ensures your baby is safe, secure and comfortable on the road. But which one is most suitable for your baby?

With features like latch hooks, load legs and belt paths to consider, choosing the right car seat for your infant can be daunting. Here's what you must be aware of in order to make the right choice for your family.

Easy of Use

You'll want to select a model that's easy to set up and use, whether you're buying a car seat for a newborn or upgrading your toddler's seat. Think about the size and weight of your child, the seat's capacity in your car, and any extra features, such as a lay-flat option which can also be used as a stroller.

Infant-only seats are a great option for infants because they're generally narrower than convertible car seats and fit infants more comfortably. They also come with a harness that supports your child's head, which is fragile in the event of a crash and reduces tension on their neck and spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are great for parents who want to keep their child rear-facing for as long as they want. Most models allow children to rear-facing for 30 pounds or more. If you choose to purchase a convertible car seat, you should look for one that meets federal safety standards and has a weight limit of 50 pounds or more.

When you're looking for a car seat, it's important to remember that, even though all car seats must meet the strict NHTSA safety standards, there are a lot of different models available on the market. To avoid the burden and risk of a dangerous or defective seat, select one that's certified by a reputable company or a reputable organization, and also look for recalls in the past and complaints from manufacturers.

The best car seats for babies feature skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding and a variety of recline positions. Some car seats come with additional padding on the straps for the shoulder and close to the buckle to ensure your child is comfy during long road trips. If you're in a smaller vehicle, consider a small infant car seat like the Clek Liing. It is less than 17 inches wide, and is able to be installed in all vehicles. The Mesa Max from UPPAbaby, which is designed to be used with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another ideal option for families that require a car seat with no fuss that is simple to use. The harness that retracts automatically, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all easy to use.

Safety Features

You should consider some aspects when selecting the best infant seat infant car seat. If you want to ensure your child is comfortable during the entire journey or you are looking for a light car seat that is safe for your child to use for long journeys, it's essential to think about certain characteristics. Consider first the height and weight limits of your infant car seat. This will determine how long your baby can safely be in the seat So, you should consider a model that is able to reach at least your child's 90th percentile before they turn one. Consider whether you want to put a blanket or coat on the straps of your harness. The AAP cautions against this, because thick clothing could compress in a crash and leave the straps loose to restrain your child, increasing the chance of injury.

Other things to consider include whether you're planning to attach your car seat with a belt on your vehicle or the LATCH system, and if it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. A seat that can easily fit onto a compatible base is ideal if you plan to use it for a majority of your journeys in order to save time and energy by not having to remove it and reinstall it each time you drive.

The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best of The Bump, received top marks during our testing for its ease of installation and adjustment. Testers said it "has everything you need to make a quick and easy installation." This includes premium LATCH connecters that flip out of the base and turn green when they are fully connected. Additionally, there is a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers and a spring-loaded leveling foot.

Another great option is the Baby Trend's budget-friendly Secure-Lift We've found it to be just as easy to use as models that cost twice as much. Our test participants have been raving about its five-position, height-adjustable headrest that can be adjusted to fit your child's height harness, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.

The Maxi-Cosi Jade is a great choice for newborns, thanks to its unique 180-degree sleep position. This allows them to rest comfortably and for longer on road trips. It is also praised for its safety by consumer advocate Which? ADAC awarded it the highest lab rating for car seats for infants.

Rear-Facing Options

In most cars the most secure position for infants is the center rear seat. The center seat is furthest away from any potential impact, and can protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. You should select an infant car seat that allows your child to ride backwards for around a year. It's also crucial to make sure the car seat is properly installed and that the headrest is placed perfectly against your child's head and chest. Find a certified child passenger technician who can give you the most up-to date guidelines for car seat installation and use. Find one in your locality here.

Choosing the right car seat for your baby seat is a huge purchase that you'll likely be using for a long period of time, so it's important to select one that has an excellent crash test sensor and score as in addition to features that will ensure your child's comfort. The Clek Liing is a great choice to parents looking for a budget-friendly rear-facing infant car seat. It scored very high in both our sensor and analysis tests, has an easy-to-use LATCH system that comes with an indicator that changes color and shows how buckle straps are securely attached to the car, as well as an extra load leg to help stop frontal collisions.

Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, opted for the Graco Extend2Fit to fit her daughters, who were both from birth up to age six. The adjustable harness height and size allow it to accommodate children of all sizes, including taller ones. The seat is suitable for many vehicles, and it has a 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.

Another affordable option is the Nuna RAVA. It does not come with a base like most other seats, but is still extremely simple to put in using either method, thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors, which flip out from the bottom of the seat and automatically turn green once secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is a comfortable baby seat with a no rethread harness. Magnetic buckle holders make it easy to secure the straps without having to remove your child from the car seat. LaBracio also found the six-position recline useful.

Options with a forward facing infant car seat-Facing

Children's necks can be cradled by the back of the seat in front-facing seats rather than being pushed forward on the hard seat of a vehicle. This also helps protect them better in side crashes. Most car seats allow infants to sit rear-facing until they weigh more than 20 pounds and a year old. Many experts recommend that kids remain rear-facing as long as they can. Their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when it's time to switch to the front-facing seat.

When looking at options for forward-facing car seat, make sure they meet i-Size specifications, have a padded head rest, and a large harness pocket. You should consider buying a car seat which will grow with your child, and then become a booster. Some models have an all-in-one option that allows the child to be moved from a rear-facing car seats (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing car seat with a harness and then to the booster seat.

It is also important to think about whether the seat will fit in your vehicle, particularly when you have a limited trunk space or a vehicle with a low clearance. Make sure you check the dimensions of the car seat and vehicle owner's manual for the best fit.

Look for a car-seat that provides adequate support and comfort to your child. Long drives in the vehicle will be more enjoyable when they are able to sleep comfortably. This can include features like a reclining seat back, a five point harness that can be tightened from the rear of your seat and a range of recline positions.

Once you've narrowed your choices down, you'll need to consider the policies for replacement in case of a crash of the car seats you're considering. They can differ from the manufacturer's replacement policy, to a case-by -case review.

After you've done your homework and determined what kind of car seat you're looking at, it's time to start shopping around. You can also ask your friends who have children to recommend. You can also arrange a consultation with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you find the right car seat for your baby.