Choosing a Car Seat For Newborns
A rear-facing infant car seat is the safest option for newborns. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when installing a car seat.
The base of the car seat should be a little reclined which helps to naturally keep the baby's head back and chin off their chest lessening the risk of asphyxia.
Types
There are two kinds of car seats for newborns. A car seat for infants and convertible baby car seats. Both have pros and cons. It all depends on your preference and how the seat will be used. If you plan to use the seat as part of an auto travel system and will be moving vehicles often, a baby car seat may be the better choice. If you are looking for a car seat that will develop with your child as they become a booster or beyond an adult, a convertible car seat is the best choice.
Infant car seats are made specifically for newborns and infants and are placed in the rear position and are the safest method of travel for the little infants. They are also typically less expensive than convertible car seats but can have a shorter lifespan. Most seats must be replaced when your child reaches their weight or height limit (which can differ greatly between seats) or when they reach the age limit.
Convertible car seats, also referred to as all-in-one carseats, are designed to carry your infant from their birth to their toddler years and on into their school years. Some are able to be used as a forward-facing or a rear-facing seat.
A lot of the top car seats for infants can be converted and come with various features, such as smooth rotation as well as a simple harness adjustment. an EPS foam base that is basically Styrofoam. These features are a favorite among parents due to the fact that they make it simpler to take their infants in and out of their seats, while still ensuring that their child is secure and comfortable.
best car seats for newborns uk is important to ensure that the car seat you choose is compatible with your vehicle, and that it has LATCH for easy installation. Also, you should look for safety features like shock-absorbing material and side impact protection. If you're not sure the type of car seat that is best for your family, consult an experienced car seat technician. They can guide you through the choices and help you select the right seat for your child.
Safety
Always ensure whether the model you choose meets strict safety standards, whether you are shopping for convertible car seats or an infant car seat an infant travel system that is ready for your infant. This is particularly important for babies, since they weigh less and are smaller than older children. Find a seat that has a five-point harness that attaches beneath the shoulders (rear-facing) or above the shoulder (forward-facing) or between the legs and around the crotch. This will protect your child from being thrown out of the seat in the event of a sudden stop or crash.
It is recommended to choose seats that are secured to the vehicle with 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 right. Newborns can easily get trapped in a seat that is too forward.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for proper installation of your model. It is a good idea to consult a certified car-seat inspection technician during your pregnancy and/or shortly after the birth of your child. This professional can ensure an excellent installation.
It is also a factor to think about. If you intend to use a stroller often you should consider a baby car seat and stroller combo that can be connected seamlessly. This is a fantastic option for busy parents, as it makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa while running errands or taking an outing with the family.
Always use your seat on a hard surface (such as car seats or bases) and never on a soft one, such as a sofa or bed, as this can cause it to tip over. This could result in your child being injured, or even dying. If you leave your infant's or baby's seat or carrier in a car unsupervised on soft surfaces may lead to death by suffocation.
Easy to Use
The best protection is only possible when the car seat is used correctly every time. Unfortunately, a significant number of injuries involving car seats are caused by mistakes. This includes not following the manufacturer's instructions, not installing properly or using accessories from aftermarket, and putting the child in an improper position.
To minimize the risk of error, a good infant car seat will have easy-to-read installation instructions and features that help to ensure that the seat is used correctly. Certain brands, like CYBEX have visual indicators or click sounds to ensure that the seat has been installed correctly. This is crucial because studies have revealed that the incorrect use of car seats could be the cause of up to half of all injuries related to car seats.
It is also important to keep in mind that you should not leave your child in an infant car seat or a baby carrier outside of a vehicle, even for a short period of time. A baby left unattended in a safety seat may fall and land on soft surfaces, like beds or couches which can cause serious injuries or even death. The seats could also be flipped over onto their sides, leading to the death of a child.
The ideal infant car seat is determined by a number of factors, including your lifestyle and the longevity of the seat. All-in-one seats are less expensive in the beginning however they might not be able to accommodate smaller babies as well and may be less versatile than a convertible or a booster car seat. If parents are planning to travel frequently and require a light, easy-to-install seat is essential for urban dwellers, while suburban parents are likely to require a seat that can be easily installed without the base and in taxis or Uber.
Additionally, a seat that is compatible with strollers is an excellent option for parents who want to minimize the amount of equipment they have to carry around town or on flight. This is true in the event that you intend to commute by public transport frequently and live in a big city. Many seats can be paired with strollers from UPPAbaby for simple, simple journeys. Lastly, you should be aware of the ease of installing your chosen seat in vehicles that do not have lower anchors or tether connections, as they aren't commonly found in many models.
Convenience
Many infant car seats are compatible with stroller travel systems, allowing you to create an entire solution for child safety. This makes it much easier to transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller during bad weather or at night. Always secure the seat before driving off. It's not safe to leave it in your car or on the street. Your child may be injured if they get out of the seat without supervision.
Infant car seats are made for infants and smaller babies. They have a snug and secure fit, and plenty of padding for security and comfort. They are generally lighter than a convertible car seat which makes them easier to carry for short distances. Most infant car seats are made to be used rear-facing and are endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the safest position for children in the early years.
However they have a shorter life span than convertible car seats. In general, children outgrow infant car seats between nine months and a year. It is possible that you will need to upgrade your car seat to a convertible version earlier than you anticipated.
A quality infant car seat will have straps for harnesses that lie flat against the child's chest, and also over their hips and the chest clip at armpit level and the crotch buckle lying flat across their thighs. Some models come with removable and adjustable inserts that aid parents in maintaining the recommended fit.
It is important to keep in mind that if the straps are unfastened or loose the baby could be strangled. It's also risky to let a child ride in a car without supervision. Choose a seat that has the ability to lock off your vehicle, or with an inbuilt locking mechanism.
Our experts test car seats to ensure they have the best safety features. Bob Hoffman, our Senior Review Editor, has more car seat installation and scoring experience than anyone else on the planet and is joined by the mother of two boys Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and Abriah Wofford who is a Senior Review Analyst who has been testing seats since 2016. Our team's expertise and experience will help you choose the right seat for both your child and vehicle.