Choosing the best car seat for newborn Car Seats infant car seat in front seat

The best car seats for infants meet federal safety guidelines and come with clear, labeled installation guides. It's also helpful to consult this handy chart Opens in an entirely new window that can help determine if your child is in need of an forward-facing or rear-facing seat.

Consider adding additional features that are useful, such as load legs. They can help reduce the movement of the event of a crash. Think about whether you would like a convertible stroller or car seat.

Easy of Use

Choosing an infant car seat is essential since it's the only one you'll use for the first year of life. Consider safety guidelines from organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can also use resources like Consumer Reports and advice from other parents.

Apart from confirming the NHTSA rating and the vehicle's fit, look for an infant car seat that is easy to assemble and install and is easy to get your child in and out of, has a comfortable padding, and convenient features. Some of the best infant car seats have self-checking mechanisms that provide you with an indicator in the form of a bubble or color to show you have installed it correctly--super helpful for tired parents.

Additionally, you should take into consideration the weight and size of the seat. If you wish to to use the seat for a longer period of time, choose a car seat that goes up to the 90th percentile in height and weight. It's hard to tell what your child will prefer until you test it out, but you can look for a thick cushion and plush materials that feel nice against their skin.

If you're not sure how to narrow down your options, it's a great idea to speak with a certified child safety technician to learn more about the various types of seats and installation methods that will work best for your specific vehicle. They can also give you advice on the best fit and comfort for your child as well as helping you understand the crash policies of each brand.

Safety

There are many elements that can make an infant car seat safer or less safe. The first step in selecting the best car seats newborn car seat for your child is to make sure that it meets your car's and the manufacturer's specifications. You should also consult the manual of your car to learn how to install the seat using the lower anchors and tethers (or seat belts, in older vehicles with no LATCH). You should also look for features such as anti-rebound bars or load legs that can reduce crash forces. Also, think about whether you can afford to live with convertible car seats that can eventually be an infant seat.

When it comes to safety the most important thing is to ensure that the baby's seat is installed correctly. Before installing a car seat, it's important to review the user manual or view online videos on installation. Keep in mind that it's always an excellent idea to have a trained professional inspect your car seat even if you've installed it correctly.

The most effective way to make a car seat more secure is to make it easier to use. Simple-to-use seats are more likely to be correctly used. Look for features like handles that grip the straps and sensor-equipped buckles.

Similar to that, ensure you buy car seats only from a trusted website or store. It's not recommended to purchase car seats from a variety of sellers, or sites which ship directly from China. In addition you should stay clear of used car seats since they might be expired or may have been involved in an accident.

A car ride can be stressful, especially for a child. Choose a seat that has soft fabrics and padded straps that are comfortable for the shoulders and neck. Also, you should be aware of the weight of the chair. You should be able lift and carry it comfortably particularly if it is going to be used for a long time.

Comfort

A good car seat should not just protect your child but also provide comfort for the newborn. Look for features such as the thick padding, the easy-to-change harnesses and ventilation holes to keep your baby cool (especially in a hot region). Comfort factors may be subjective and it's important to read reviews on the internet and test the seat yourself prior to purchasing.

Another factor to take into consideration is weight. All infant car seats conform to federal safety standards. However there are some that are lighter. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the car seat in multiple vehicles, or to attach it to a stroller frame. For example the Nuna Pipa Aire RX is the most lightweight convertible infant car seat on the market at 6.2 pounds without the canopy and base. Recently the Pipa Lite Aire is a less expensive but still safe car seat was added to the product line.

The seat is narrower compared to other models. This is good for most cars, but it can be problematic when you have the trunk is small. The shoulder straps aren't adjustable in the height and the belt guides do not have enough padding to prevent friction on your baby's shoulders.

Overall, the seat fits most newborns well and is easy to install. It has a higher limit of rear-facing than many other seats, and it is simple to change between the reclined positions. It's priced at the middle of the range for a baby seat, however, it has a great reputation for quality. It also includes two cup holders.

Selecting a car seat for infants can be a daunting task because there are numerous choices. You don't have to be intimidated by the choices if you research before you purchase. Take into consideration the car's fit as well as safety and comfort features as well as the cost. If you take these elements into consideration, you'll be able to find the right car seat for your baby and be confident that it's secure. Be aware that regardless of how well-made the car seat is it's not as secure if it's not installed correctly.

Easy Installation

Car seats are extremely important safety devices, and they need to be installed correctly to ensure your baby's safety. This is why easy installation is among our top considerations when choosing the best car seat for an infant. Many of the best baby car seats feature self-checking indicators. These include bubbles, or colored indicators that tell you whether the seat has been installed correctly. This helps you avoid mistakes that could lead to danger. There are even self-checking functions at the base, which is particularly helpful in the event that you often swap the car seat between cars.

In addition to easy installation The best infant car seats also make it easier to adjust or loosen the harness straps without assistance of a tool or the manual. This feature is particularly useful for newborns and preemies who require a secure harness to give them the proper support. A smooth, tightening mechanism is also essential to avoid any irritation when you have a wriggly baby and must fasten the seat swiftly.

Finally, the best infant car seats make it easy to carry around, and we adore models that don't feel heavy when a child is in them. It isn't easy to carry a car seat too heavy, which can cause arm and back pain. Choose the right seat within your weight range.

We also take into account the dimensions and weight of the base as well as the seat, as it's not necessary to buy seats that are too large for your car or that will require lots of juggling in order to get it out and into. We prefer seats that are smaller and can be tucked into three or two rows. They are also less likely than seats with larger widths to rub against each other.

Our favorite model in this category is the Chicco KeyFit line, which has received high marks from a number of experts and parents we interviewed, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy. The KeyFit range includes features that make installation easy like a spring-loaded foot recliner as well as a bubble gauge that is located on the base. Healy also lauds the tightening system, which utilizes a SuperCinch belt-tightening system to make it easier to fix the seat to the floor.