Which is the
best car seat newborn car seat for newborn Seat For Your Newborn?
A well-designed car seat can keep your baby safe and comfortable while on the road. But which one is most suitable for your baby?
With features such as latch hooks, load legs and belt paths to consider, choosing the right car seat for your infant isn't easy. Here's what you should be aware of to make the best buying decision for your family.
Ease of Use
If you're looking for an infant car seat for your baby or upgrading from a toddler's car seat, you'll want one that is easy to set up and use. Think about the size of the base and the car, how the seat will fit your child's weight and height, and additional features that are convenient, such as an option to lay flat that can double as a bassinet for a stroller.
Infant-only chairs are a good option for newborns since they are generally smaller and fit more snugly than convertible seats. They come with a harness to ensure your child's head is supported in an accident, which can lessen the strain on their neck or spinal cord.
Convertible car seats are great for parents who wish to keep their baby rear-facing for as long as they are able to. Most models allow the child to sit rear-facing until the weight is 30 pounds or greater. Look for a convertible seat that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government and has a a weight minimum of 50 pounds.
When you're looking for a car seat it's important to consider that even though all carseats must conform to the strict NHTSA safety standards There are plenty of different models available on market. Pick a seat approved by a reputable company or company. Also, look for recalls or complaints from the manufacturer.
The top-rated car seats for infants have skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding, and a variety of recline positions. Some of them also have padding near the buckle area and on the shoulder harness to help your
infant car seat in front seat stay comfortable during long road trips. If you have a smaller vehicle, look for a narrow infant seat like the Clek Liing one, which is less than 17 inches wide and easy to install in a majority of vehicles. The Mesa Max from UPPAbaby, which is specifically designed to work with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another excellent option for families who want a no-fuss car seat that's easy to use. Its auto-retracting straps EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors with guides, and no-rethread harness make it simple to use for every car journey.
Safety Features
If you're looking for a secure, lightweight infant car seat to take your baby on long journeys or want to ensure that your child is comfortable during the duration of your ride, a few key features are important to keep in mind. Consider first the height and weight limits of your infant car seat. This will determine how long your child can be safely in the car seat, so choose a seat that is able to reach minimum your child's 90th percentile measurement before they turn one. Also, think about whether you'd like to use blankets or coats on the harness straps. The AAP advises against this, because thick clothing could compress in a crash and make the straps too loose to restrain your child, increasing the chance of injury.
Other things to consider include whether you're planning to attach your car seat using belts on your vehicle or the LATCH system, and whether it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. If you intend to use your seat for the majority of your journeys in the car it's best to pick one that fits easily onto an appropriate base. This will save you time and energy since you won't have to remove and reinstall your seat each time you use the car.
In our testing, the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned high marks for ease of installation and adjustments, with users saying it "has everything you need for a fast and easy installation." This includes LATCH connectors of premium quality that can be flipped out from the base and become green when connected, plus 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 as simple to use and affordable as other models that cost twice as much. Our test subjects have been raving about its five-position headrest, height-adjustable that grows with your baby with a no-rethread harness and magnetic buckle holders.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade is an excellent choice for babies because of its unique 180-degree sleep position. This lets them sleep comfortably and longer during journeys. It's also been lauded for its safety, with consumer champion Which? ADAC giving it the highest laboratory score for car seats for infants.
Rear-facing Options
In most automobiles, the most secure place for a baby is the back seat. The center seat is the closest to any impact, and can protect your baby from harm in the event of an accident. It is recommended to choose an infant car seat that allows your child to be backwards for around an entire year. It's also important to make sure the car seat is installed correctly and that the headrest fits against your child's chest and head. Get a certified child-passenger technician who will provide you with the most current recommendations for car seat installation and use. Find one near you here.
The car seat you select for your
infant car seats that swivel is a significant purchase, and you'll use it for a long time. You'll want to choose a seat that has a high crash test score and an analysis score. It should also include features to keep your baby at ease. The Clek Liing is a great choice to parents looking for an affordable rear-facing infant car seat. It scored very high in both our analysis and sensor tests. It has a simple LATCH system that has a color change indication that indicates whether the buckle straps are securely attached to the car, and a load leg that can help prevent frontal crashes.
Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, used the Graco Extend2Fit for her daughters who were both born until age six. The adjustable harness size and height allows it to fit children of all sizes and heights, including taller ones. The seat is compatible with many vehicles, and it has an upper limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. Plus, it converts to a booster seat, which Trolio used with her youngest daughter up until she turned 10 years older.
Nuna RAVA is a similar option. It does not have a base as most other seats, but is still extremely simple and quick to install using either method, thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors, which flip out from the bottom of the seat. They automatically turn green when secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is a comfortable baby seat without rethreads. The buckle holders are magnetic, making it easy to secure the straps, without having to take your child from the car seat. It also comes with a six-position recline which LaBracio found to be useful.
Options with a Forward-Facing Focus
In front-facing seats children's necks are held in the seat back, rather than pushed forward on a hard vehicle seat. This also helps protect them from injuries in side crashes. The majority of car seats allow infants to ride rear-facing until they weigh over 20 pounds and one year old. However, many experts recommend that children remain rear-facing as long as possible--their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when they're ready for a forward-facing car seat.
If you are looking at alternatives for forward-facing car seats make sure they meet i-Size specifications, have a padded head rest, and a spacious harness pocket. Make sure you know the maximum height and weight limits and think about purchasing a car seat that will expand with your child to a booster seat. Certain models have an all-in one feature that allows your child to move from a rear-facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward facing car seat.
It's also important to consider whether the seat will fit your vehicle well, especially if you have a small trunk space or a car with an uninspiring clearance. Make sure you check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the owner's manual of the vehicle to ensure the most appropriate fit.
Finally, you should look for a car seat that provides good support and comfort for your child's body--long trips in the car will be less stressful when they are able to sleep comfortably. This may include features such as reclined headrests, a five-point harness that can be tightened from the rear of the seat, and a wide range of recline positions.
After narrowing down your options, you should consider the policies regarding crash replacement for the car seat you're looking at. They can vary from a manufacturer's replacement policy to a personal case review.
After you've done your research and determined what kind of car seat you'd like then you can begin shopping. Check out the selection at your local baby store or online retailer, and ask your family members who have children to get their suggestions. You can also arrange a consultation with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you locate the perfect car seat for your newborn.
