Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?
A well-designed car seat keeps your baby secure, comfortable and safe when you're on the road. Which one is the best for your newborn?
Selecting the best infant car seats isn't easy. There are a lot of features to take into consideration, such as latch hooks, belt paths and load legs. Here's what you should think about to make the best car seat infant decision for your family.
Ease of Use
If you're looking for an infant car seat for your baby or upgrading from an older car seat, you'll want a model that is easy to set up and use. Consider the size of the seat base and the car, as well as how the seat will fit your child's weight and height, as well as additional features that are convenient, such as the lay-flat option that can also double as a bassinet for your stroller.
Infant-only chairs are a good option for infants because they're generally narrower than convertible car seats and fit babies more comfortably. They also have the safety of a harness to protect your child's delicate head in the event of a collision, which can reduce stress on their neck and the spinal cord.
Convertible car seat are ideal for parents who wish to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they are able to. The majority of models let the child sit rear-facing until the weight is 30 pounds or more. Look for a convertible seat that complies with the safety standards of the federal government and has a an upper minimum of 50 pounds.
When shopping for a car seat it's important to remember that while all car seats must meet strict NHTSA safety standards There are plenty of different models available on market. To avoid the burden and risk of a defective or dangerous seat, choose one that's certified by a reputable company or organization, and then look for recent recalls and complaints from manufacturers.
The top-rated car seats are constructed with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and various recline positions. Some car seats offer additional padding on the shoulder strap and around the buckle to keep your baby comfortable during long roadtrips. If you have a small vehicle, you should consider a narrow infant car seat, such as the Clek Liing. It's less than 17 inches wide, and is able to be installed in most vehicles. The UPPAbaby MezzaMax, which can be used together with UPPAbaby Strollers is a great choice for families who want an easy car seat. Its auto-retracting straps, EZ buckle and connectors for lower anchors that are premium with guides, and a no-rethread harness make it simple to use for any car trip.
Safety Features
There are the following aspects when selecting an infant car seat. If you're looking to ensure your baby is safe throughout the entire journey or are in search of a light car seat that is safe for your child to use on long trips, you need to keep in mind certain features. Consider first the weight and height limits of your infant car seat. This will determine how long your child can be safely in the seat and so, choose a seat that can be adjusted to minimum 90th percentile before they turn one. Consider whether you would like to drape a blanket or coat over the harness straps. The AAP warns against this since thick clothing could compress in the event of a crash, making straps too loose for your child to be secured, increasing the chance of injury.
It is also important to consider whether your car seat can be installed with the LATCH system, or a belt on a vehicle or if it's compatible with other strollers or other travel systems. If you plan to use your seat for most of your journeys in the car it's best to pick one that fits easily onto a base compatible with it. This will save you time and energy as you won't have to remove and reinstall your seat each time you use the car.
The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best car seats newborn Seat for Newborn (wikimapia.org) of The Bump, scored top marks during our testing for its ease of installation and adjustment. Testers said it "has everything needed to ensure a fast, easy installation." This includes premium LATCH connectors that can be flipped out from the base and turn green when fully connected, as well as a SuperCinch force-multiplying strap tightener and a spring-loaded leveling foot.
The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another excellent option. We found it to be easy to use and as affordable as other models that cost twice as much. Our testers have been raving about its five-position headrest, height-adjustable that grows with your baby harness, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade is a great choice for newborns due to its unique sleeping position of 180 degrees. This lets them rest comfortably and for longer on journeys. It's also been lauded for its safety, with consumer champion Which? saying it's one of the safest infant car seats on the market as well as ADAC awarding it their highest lab rating for a car seat for infants.
Rear-facing Options
In the majority of cars, the safest place for a baby is the back seat. The seat in the center is furthest away from any potential impact, and will protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. You should select a car seat for infants that allows your child to be in a rear-facing position for around one year. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is correctly installed and that the headrest fits perfectly against your child's chest and head. The most efficient way to do this is to consult an accredited child safety technician, who will provide you with the most current guidelines for car seat use and installation. Find one near you here.
The choice of a car seat for your baby is a major investment that you'll likely use for a long period of period of time, so it's important to select one that has an impressive crash test sensor and analysis score as in addition to features that will keep your child comfortable. The Clek Liing is a great choice for parents who are looking for an affordable rear-facing infant car seat. It scored highly in our analysis and sensor test. It comes with an easy-to-use LATCH system that changes color to show when the buckle straps are properly secured to the car. It also has an extra load leg that helps avoid frontal collisions.
Strategist senior editor and mother of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit with her daughters who both went from birth until age 6. The harness's adjustable height and size allows it to fit children of all sizes, including taller ones. It's a great choice for a wide range of vehicles. It has a low, 50-pound rear-facing weight limit. It also converts into an adult seat that Trolio used with her youngest daughter up until she turned 10 years old.
Another option that is affordable is the Nuna RAVA. It doesn't have a base like many other seats, but is still simple to put in using either method, thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors that slide out from the bottom of the seat. They automatically turn green when secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is comfortable for babies without rethreads. Magnetic buckle holders make it easy to secure the straps, without removing your baby from the car seat. It also has the ability to recline in six positions that LaBracio found to be useful.
Forward-Facing Options
In front-facing seats the necks of children are held in the seat back, rather than pushed forward on the car seat that is hard. This is a way to protect them from side collisions as well. The majority of car seats allow children to ride rear-facing until they weigh more than 20 pounds and a year old. However, a lot of experts recommend that children remain rear-facing as long as possible--their neck muscles and bones will be stronger by the time they're ready to switch to an forward-facing seat.
When considering options for forward-facing car seat, make sure they meet i-Size requirements, have a cushioned head rest, and a deep harness pocket. Be sure to check the maximum height and weight limit and consider buying an automobile seat that can be able to grow with your child until they are a booster seat. Certain models have an all-in-one feature that allows your child to go 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 car seat will fit in your vehicle, especially in the case of a small trunk or a low clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat and vehicle owner's manual for the most appropriate fit.
Look for a car-seat that provides adequate support and comfort for your child. Long trips in the vehicle will be more enjoyable if they are able to sleep comfortably. This may include features such as reclined headrests or a five-point harness which can be adjusted from the back of the seat, and a wide range of recline positions.
Once you've narrowed down your options, you should consider crash replacement policies for the car seat you're considering. These can be anything from a manufacturer's replacement policy to an individual case review.
Once you've done your research and decided on the kind of car seat you're interested in It's time to begin shopping around. Look through the selections at your local baby store or online retailer and ask parents of young children for recommendations. You can also schedule an appointment with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you choose the best car seats infant car seat for your newborn.