Which is the best car seat for newborn Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A good car seat ensures your baby is secure, comfortable and safe while on the road. Which one is the most suitable for your baby car seat?

With features like latch hooks, load legs and belt paths to consider, choosing the right car seat for your infant isn't easy. Here's what you must know to make the best purchase for your family.

Ease of Use

Whether you're shopping for an portable infant car seat car seat for your baby or if you're upgrading from a toddler's car seat, you'll need a model that is easy to install and use. Think about the size and weight of your child, the size of the seat that will fit in the car and any other features, like the lay-flat option that can also be used as a stroller.

Infant-only chairs are an ideal option for infants because they are typically narrower and fit them more snugly than convertible car seats. They come with a harness to 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 want to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they can. Most models allow the child to sit rear-facing until the weight is 30 pounds or greater. If you choose to purchase a convertible car seat, you should look for one that is compliant with the federal safety standards and has a weight limit of 50 pounds or more.

It's 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. To avoid the burden and risk of a defective or dangerous seat, make sure you choose one certified by a reliable company or organization, and check for recalls in the past and complaints from manufacturers.

Top-rated car seats are made with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and several recline positions. Certain car seats provide extra padding on the shoulder strap and near the buckle to keep your baby comfy during long road trips. If you have a small vehicle, you should consider a narrow infant car seat, such as the Clek Liing. It is less than 17 inches in width, and can be easily installed in all automobiles. The UPPAbaby Mesa Max, which is designed to be used with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another great choice for families who want a no-fuss car seat that is simple to use. Its auto-retracting straps EZ buckle, premium lower anchor connectors with guides, and a no-rethread harness make it easy to use for every car trip.

Safety Features

There are some aspects when selecting the right infant car seat. If you want to ensure that your child is comfortable during the entire journey or are in search of a lightweight car seat that is safe for your child to take on long trips, it's important to keep in mind a few features. Be aware of 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, look for a model that goes up to at least your child's 90th percentile before they turn 1. Also, think about whether you might want to use blankets or coats on the straps of the harness. The AAP warns against this since thick clothing could be compressed during a crash, leaving the straps loose enough for your child to be restrained and increase the chance of injury.

It is also important to consider whether your car seat can be installed using the LATCH system or a belt on a vehicle and if it's compatible with other travel systems or strollers. A seat that can easily be fitted onto a base that is compatible is ideal if you plan to use it for a majority of your car rides, as you'll save time and energy by not having to remove it and reinstall it every time you drive.

The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best of The Bump, received top marks in our tests for its ease of installation and adjustment. Testers said it "has everything needed to ensure a fast, easy installation." It comes with premium LATCH connectors that flip out of the base and turn green once they're fully connected. Additionally, there is a SuperCinch strap tightener for force multipliers and spring-loaded leveling feet.

The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another great option. We found it to be easy to use and as affordable as models costing twice more. Its five-position adjustable headrest that grows with your child's growth as well as its buckle holders that are magnetic and no-rethread harness have been praised by our testers.

The Maxi-Cosi jade is a great option for newborns due to its unique 180-degree flat sleeping position which allows them to sleep longer and more comfortably on travel. It has also been highly praised for its safety by consumer champion Which? ADAC awarding it the highest laboratory rating for car seats for infants.

Rear-facing Options

In most vehicles the most secure position for infants is the center rear seat. The center seat is most away from any impact, and will protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. If you can, opt for a car seat that lets your child sit rear-facing up to one year old. It's also important to ensure the car seat is installed correctly and that the headrest is secure against your child's head and chest. The best way to accomplish this is to speak with a certified child passenger safety technician who will give you the most current recommendations for car seat use and installation. Find one in your locality here.

The choice of the right car seat for your newborn car seat insert is a significant purchase that you'll likely be using for a long period of duration, so you'll need to choose one with an impressive crash test sensor and score, as along with features to keep your child safe. The Clek Liing is a great choice to parents looking for a low-cost rear-facing infant car seat. It scored extremely high in both our analysis and sensor tests. It has a simple LATCH system with an indicator that changes color and indicates how buckle straps are securely attached to the car, and an extra load leg to help to prevent frontal collisions.

Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, used the Graco Extend2Fit to fit her daughters who were both born up to the age of six. The adjustable harness size and height allows it to fit children of all sizes, including taller ones. The seat is suitable for numerous vehicles, and has a weight limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. Plus, the seat converts into a booster seat, which Trolio used for her oldest daughter until she was 10 years old.

Another option that is affordable is the Nuna RAVA. It does not have an base, but it's still easy to install using the rigid LATCH connectors. They flip out from the bottom and turn green automatically when the seat is secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is also comfortable for babies, with an unrethread harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders that make it simple to secure the straps without removing your baby from the seat. It also features an adjustable recline of six positions that LaBracio found to be useful.

Options with a Forward-Facing

Children's necks can be held by the seat back in front-facing seats rather than being pushed forward on the car seat. This protects them from side collisions as well. Most car seats allow infants weighing up to 20 pounds and 1 year old to sit rearward. However, a lot of experts recommend that children remain rear-facing for as long as they can because their neck muscles and bones will become stronger when they're ready to switch to an forward-facing seat.

If you are looking for alternatives for forward-facing seats, be sure they meet the i-Size requirements with a padded seat pocket and a padded seat headrest. Make sure you know the maximum height and weight limit and consider buying a car seat that will be able to grow with your child until they are an adult booster seat. Certain models come with an all-in-one feature that allows the child to be moved from a rear facing infant car seat-facing car seats (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing seat that has a harness and then into the booster seat.

It's also important to consider whether the seat will fit your vehicle properly, particularly if you have a small trunk space or a car with an uninspiring clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat and owners' manuals for your vehicle to determine the best fit.

Finally, you should look for an automobile seat that offers comfortable and adequate support for your child's body. Long trips in the car will be more bearable in the event that they rest comfortably. This can include features like an adjustable headrest or a five-point harness which can be adjusted from the rear of the seat, and a variety of recline positions.

After narrowing down your options, you should consider the policies on crash replacement for the car seat you're thinking of buying. These can vary from the manufacturer's replacement policy, to a case-by -case review.

After you've done some study and decided what type of car seats you'd like to purchase, you can start shopping. Check out the selection at your local baby shop or online, and talk to parents of young children for recommendations. You can also book a Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to help you choose the right car seat for your newborn.