Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A good car seat will ensure your baby is safe and secure on the road. Which one is the most suitable for your baby?

Selecting the best infant car seat swivel car seat isn't easy. There are so many options to think about, including latch hooks, belt paths, and load legs. Here's what you must be aware of to make the best choice for your family.

Easy of Use

If you're in the market for an infant car seat for your newborn or upgrading from a toddler's car seat, you'll need an option that is simple to set up and use. Think about the size of the base and the car, as well as how the seat is suited to your baby's height and weight, and convenient extra features like the lay-flat option that can also double as a bassinet for your stroller.

Infant-only seats are a good choice for small babies because they're generally narrower than convertible car seats and can fit babies more comfortably. They also provide the safety of a harness to protect your child's head, which is fragile in the event of a crash, which can reduce tension on their neck and the spinal cord.

Convertible car seats are ideal for parents who plan to keep their infants rear-facing for as long as they can since most of these models allow children to sit in a rear-facing seat until they're 30 pounds or greater. Find a convertible seat that is compliant with federal safety regulations and has an upper minimum of 50 pounds.

It's important to keep it 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 stress and danger of a defective or dangerous seat, choose one that's certified by a reliable company or organization, and check for recalls or complaints from manufacturers.

The best car seats are constructed with skin-friendly materials, plush padding and several recline positions. Some of them also have padding in the buckle area and on the shoulder harness to help your baby stay comfortable during long journeys. If you drive a smaller car choose a smaller infant seat, such as the Clek Liing one, which is just 17 inches wide and easy to install in most cars. The UPPAbaby Mesa Max, which is specifically designed for use with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another ideal option for families that want a no-fuss car seat that is simple to use. The harness that retracts automatically, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all easy to use.

Safety Features

If you're in search of a safe, lightweight infant car seat to take your little one for long drives or want to ensure that your baby is comfortable for the duration of a ride, a few key features are worth keeping in mind. Consider the weight and height limits of your infant car seat for newborn (their website) seat. This will determine the length of time your child is able to safely stay in the seat. Choose a seat that is able to accommodate your child's 90th centile measurement before turning 1. Consider whether you want to drape an overcoat or blanket over the straps of your harness. The AAP warns against this because heavy clothing may be compressed during a crash, leaving the straps loose enough for your child to be secured which increases the chance of injuries.

You should also consider whether your car seat will be fitted using the LATCH system or a belt on a vehicle and if it's compatible with other travel systems or strollers. If you plan to use your car seat for a majority of your car rides, it's best to choose one that can easily fit on an appropriate base. This will reduce time and energy since you won't have to remove and reinstall the seat every time you take a trip in the car.

In our testing the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned top marks for ease of installation and adjustments, with testers affirming that it "has everything you need for a quick and 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 that increases the force of the strap and a spring-loaded leveling feet.

The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another option worth considering. We found it to be easy to use and as affordable as other models that cost twice as much. Our test subjects have applauded it for its five-position, height-adjustable headrest that grows with your baby, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders.

The Maxi-Cosi Jade is great option for newborns due to its unique 180-degree flat sleeping position which lets them sleep longer and more comfortably during travel. It's also been lauded for its safety, with consumer advocate Which? declaring it to be one of the safest infant car seats available as well as ADAC awarding the highest lab rating for an infant car seat travel car seat.

Rear-facing Options

In most vehicles the safest place for a newborn is in the rear seat at the center. The seat in the center is most away from any impact, and can protect your baby in the event of an accident. It is recommended to choose a car seat for infants that allows your child to ride backwards for around an entire year. It is also essential to make sure the car seat is properly installed and that the headrest fits comfortably against your child's head and chest. The easiest way to do this is to consult an experienced child passenger safety technician, who will provide you with the most current guidelines for car seat use and installation. Find one in your area here.

The choice of a car seat for your newborn is a significant investment that you'll likely use for a long period of time, so it's important to select one that has an excellent crash test sensor and score, as along with features to keep your child safe. The Clek Liing is a great choice for parents looking for an affordable rear-facing infant car seat. It scored highly in our analysis and sensor test, has a simple LATCH system that changes color to indicate when the buckle straps have been properly attached to the car and a load-leg to help prevent frontal collisions.

Strategist senior editor and mom of two Jen Trolio used the Graco Extend2Fit for her two daughters who both grew from birth until age 6. The harness's adjustable size and height allows it to be adapted to children of all sizes as well as taller ones. The seat is suitable for many vehicles, and it has an upper limit of 50 pounds rear-facing. Plus, the seat converts into a booster, which Trolio used for her oldest daughter up to the time she was 10 years old.

Nuna RAVA is a different, affordable alternative. It doesn't come with an base, but it is still easy to install using the rigid LATCH connectors. They flip off the bottom and turn green when the seat is attached to the vehicle. The RAVA is suitable for infants without rethreads. Magnetic buckle holders make it easy to secure the straps, without removing 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

In front-facing seats children's necks are held in the seat back, rather than pushed forward on the hard seat of a vehicle. This also helps protect them from injuries in side crashes. Most car seats allow infants up to 20 pounds and 1 year of age to ride rearward. However, many experts recommend that children remain rear-facing for as long as possible--their neck muscles and bones will be stronger by the time they're ready for a forward-facing seat.

If you are looking for alternatives for forward-facing seats, make sure they meet the iSize standards, have a padded harness pocket, and a padded seat headrest. Be sure to check the maximum height and weight limits and think about purchasing an automobile seat that can grow with your child into an adult booster seat. Some models come with an all-in one feature that allows your child to change 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 seat will fit in your vehicle, particularly if you have a small trunk space or a car seat newborn insert with an uninspiring clearance. Take a look at the dimensions of the car seat as well as the owner's manual of the vehicle to ensure the best fit.

Look for a car-seat that provides good support and comfort to your child. Long trips in the car are more enjoyable if they are able to sleep comfortably. This could include features like a reclining seat back, a five point harness that tightens from the rear of your seat and a range of recline positions.

After narrowing your options down, you'll want to look at the policies for replacement in case of a crash of the car seats you're thinking of buying. These can vary from the manufacturer's replacement policy, to a case-by-case analysis.

Once you've done your research and determined the type of car seat you're interested in now is the time to start shopping around. You can also ask friends with young children for recommendations. You can also book a Rockridge Kids consultation with a CPST to assist you in choosing the right car seat for your baby.