Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A well-designed car seat will keep your baby safe, secure and comfortable while on the road. Which is the best for your baby?

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

Easy of Use

You’ll want to choose one 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, how the seat will fit your child’s weight and height, as well as useful extra features such as the lay-flat option that doubles as a stroller bassinet.

Infant-only seats are a great option for babies as they’re generally smaller than convertible car seats and fit babies more comfortably. They come with a harness that can help your child’s head during an accident, which could reduce the strain on their neck or the spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are perfect for parents who intend to keep their infants rear-facing as long as possible since most of these models let children ride in a rear-facing seat until they’re 30 pounds or more. Find a convertible seat that complies with the safety standards of the federal government and has a the weight minimum of 50 pounds.

It is important to keep in mind that, despite the fact that all car seats must comply with strict NHTSA standards There are a variety of models to choose from. Pick a seat certified by a trusted organization or company. Also, check for recalls or complaints from the manufacturer.

The best car seats are constructed with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and a variety of recline positions. Some car seats come with extra padding on the shoulder straps and near the buckle to ensure your child is comfortable during long roadtrips. If you have a smaller vehicle choose a narrow infant seat like the Clek Liing, which is under 17 inches wide and is easy to install in most cars. The UPPAbaby Mesa Max, which is designed to be used with strollers from UPPAbaby, is a excellent option for families who need a simple car seat that’s easy to use. Its auto-retracting straps EZ buckle and connectors for lower anchors that are premium with guides, and no-rethread harness make it simple to use for every car journey.

Safety Features

Whether you’re looking for an infant safe, lightweight car seat to take your little one for long drives or want to make sure your child is comfortable during the duration of a trip, a few key features are important to keep in mind. Consider first the height and weight limit of your infant car seat. This will determine the maximum time your child is able to safely stay in the seat. Look for a model that can be used up to the 90th percentile of your child’s height prior to turning 1. Consider whether you’d like to wear blankets or coats over the straps of the harness. The AAP recommends against this since heavy clothing may compress in a crash and make the straps too loose to hold your child, increasing the chance of injury.

Other considerations include whether you intend to install your car seat using a vehicle belt or the LATCH system, and if it’s compatible other strollers or travel systems. A car seat that can be fitted onto a base that is compatible is ideal if you plan to use it for the majority of your Nania Trio Group 0/1/2 Car Seat – Access Grey: Ultimate Safety and Comfort for Your Child rides in order to save time and energy by not having to remove it and pushchairsandprams.Uk put it back in place every time you use the vehicle.

The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best of The Bump, was praised during our testing for its ease of installation and adjustment. Testers said it “has everything needed to ensure a fast, easy installation.” This includes LATCH connectors of premium quality that can be removed from the base, and turn green once they’re fully connected. Also included is a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers and a spring-loaded leveling foot.

Another option that is worth considering is the Baby Trend’s budget-friendly Secure-Lift, which we’ve found to be just as simple to use as other models that cost twice as much. Its adjustable headrest in five positions that grows with your child’s development, its buckle holders with magnetic buckles and no-rethread harness have been praised by our testers.

The Maxi-Cosi RodiFix AirProtect High Back Booster Seat Jade makes a great choice for newborns due to its unique 180-degree sleep position. This lets them sleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer on journeys. It is also acknowledged for its safety by consumer advocate Which? calling it ‘one of the safest infant car seats available’ and ADAC awarding the highest lab rating for a car seat for infants.

Rear-facing Options

In the majority of cars the most secure position for infants is the center rear seat. The center seat is closest to any impact, and can protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. If you are able, choose a car seat for infants that lets your child sit rear-facing up to an year old. It is also essential to ensure that the car seat is correctly installed and that the headrest is placed perfectly against your child’s chest and head. The best way to accomplish this is to talk to a certified child passenger safety technician who will provide you with the most current guidelines for car seat use and installation. Find the nearest one here.

The choice of an infant car seat for your infant is a huge investment that you’ll probably use for a long time, so you’ll want to select one that has an excellent crash test sensor and analysis score as well as features to 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 extremely high in both our sensor and analysis tests. It comes with a simple LATCH system that has the ability to change colors that shows how buckle straps are securely attached to the car, as well as an extra load leg to help stop frontal collisions.

Strategist senior editor and mother of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit with her daughters, who both went from the time of birth until age 6. The seat’s adjustable height and length allow it to fit all children from tall to short. It is suitable for numerous vehicles, and has an upper limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. It also converts into an adult seat that Trolio used with her oldest daughter up until she was 10 years old. older.

Another affordable option is the Nuna RAVA. It doesn’t come with an base, but it is still simple to put in using the LATCH connectors, which are rigid. They flip out of the bottom and turn green when the seat is attached to the vehicle. The RAVA is comfortable for babies with no rethread harness. The buckle holders are magnetic, making it easy to secure the straps, without removing your child from the car seat. It also has the ability to recline in six positions that LaBracio found useful.

Options with a Forward-Facing

In front-facing seats, children’s necks are cradled in the back of the seat instead of being pushed forward on the car seat that is hard. This is a way to protect them from collisions with other vehicles as well. Car seats typically allow children to ride rear-facing until they are over 20 pounds and a year old. However, a lot of experts recommend that children ride rear-facing as long as they can because their neck muscles and bones will become stronger when they’re ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.

When looking for options for forward-facing seats, make sure they meet the i-Size requirements and have a padded harness pocket, and a padded seat headrest. You should consider buying a car seat which will grow with your child and become a booster. Certain models have an all-in one feature that lets your child change from a rear facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing car seat.

It’s also important to determine whether the seat fits your vehicle properly, particularly when you have a limited trunk space or a vehicle with an uninspiring clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the vehicle owner’s manual for the most appropriate fit.

Find a car seat that offers good support and comfort for your child. Long journeys in the vehicle will be more enjoyable if they are able to sleep comfortably. This could include features such as an adjustable headrest or a five-point harness which can be adjusted from the back of the seat, and a variety of recline positions.

Once you’ve narrowed your options, consider crash replacement policies for the car seat you’re thinking of buying. They can differ from the manufacturer’s replacement policy, to a case-by-case review.

After you’ve done some research and decided what type of car seat you’d like then you can begin shopping. Take a look at the options available at your local baby shop or online, and ask your family members who have children for recommendations. You can also schedule an appointment with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you find the right car seat for your newborn.