Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn?

A well-designed car seat ensures your baby is safe, comfortable and secure when you're on the road. But which one is most suitable for your baby?

The right choice for infant car seats isn't an easy task. There are a lot of features to take into consideration, such as latch hooks, belt pathways, and load legs. Here's what you need to know to make the best buying decision for your family.

Easy to Use

You'll need to choose one that is easy to install and use whether you're purchasing an infant car seat for a newborn car seat insert or upgrading your toddler's seat. Take into consideration the size of the base and the car, how the seat is suited to your baby's weight and height, and useful extra features such as a lay-flat option that can double as a bassinet for a stroller.

infant car seats on sale-only seats are a great option for infants because they're generally smaller than convertible car seats and can fit infants more comfortably. They also provide a harness that can support your child's head, which is fragile in the event of a collision which reduces the tension on their neck and the spinal cord.

Convertible car seat are ideal for parents who wish to keep their child rear-facing for as long as they want. The majority of models let the child sit rear-facing until the weight is 30 pounds or greater. If you choose to purchase a convertible car seat, look for one that complies with federal safety standards and has a weight limit of 50 pounds or more.

It is important to keep in mind that even though all car seats must meet strict NHTSA standards there are a myriad of models available. 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 manufacturer complaints.

The most rated car seats for newborns feature skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding and a range of recline positions. Some car seats offer additional padding on the shoulder strap and near the buckle to keep your baby comfortable during long roadtrips. If you have a smaller vehicle, look for a smaller infant seat, such as the Clek Liing that is under 17 inches wide and is easy to install in most cars. The UPPAbaby Mezza Max, which can be used together with UPPAbaby Strollers is a great choice for families who want an easy car seat. The harness that retracts automatically, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all very easy to use.

Safety Features

If you're looking for a safe, lightweight infant car seat to take your little one on long trips or simply want to ensure that your child is comfortable for the duration of your ride there are a few important aspects that are worth considering. First, think about the height and weight limits of your infant car seat. This will determine the maximum time your child can safely spend in the seat. Choose a seat which goes up to the 90th percentile of your child's height before turning one. Consider whether you'd prefer to use blankets or coats over the harness straps. The AAP cautions against this, since heavy clothing may be compressed in a crash and leave the straps loose to restrain your child, thereby increasing the chance of injury.

You should also think about whether your car seat will be installed via the LATCH system or a belt on a vehicle or if it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. A car seat for Newborn seat that is able to fit onto a compatible base is ideal if you intend to use it for a majority of your car rides, as you'll save time and energy by not having to remove it and put it back in place every time you use your vehicle.

In our testing the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux earned top marks for ease of installation and adjustments, with reviewers commenting that it "has everything you need for a quick and painless installation." This includes premium LATCH connectors that can be flipped out from the base and turn green when fully connected, plus a SuperCinch force-multiplying strap tightener and an adjustable foot with springs.

The Baby Trend Secure Lift is another great option. We found it to be as simple to use and affordable as models costing twice more. Our test participants 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 makes the perfect choice for infants due to its unique 180-degree sleep position. This lets them sleep comfortably and longer during travel. It has also been highly praised for its safety by the consumer advocate Which? saying it's one of the safest infant car seats available and ADAC giving it their highest lab rating for an infant car seat.

Rear-facing Options

In the majority of cars, a newborn's safest position is the center rear seat. The position in the center is the most secure from any impact that could occur and will shield your child the best in the event of the event of a crash. If you can, choose a car seat for infants that lets your child ride rear-facing until about one year old. It's also important to ensure the car seat is set up correctly and that the headrest is snug against your child's chest and head. The most efficient way to do this is to consult an experienced child passenger safety technician, who can provide you with up-to-date recommendations for car seat use and installation. Find the nearest one here.

The car seat inserts for newborns seat you pick for your baby will be a major investment, and you'll use it for many years. You'll want a seat that has a high crash test score as well as an analysis score. It should also include features to ensure your baby is comfy. The Clek Liing is a great option for parents looking for an affordable rear-facing infant car seat. It scored highly in both our analysis and sensor tests, has an easy-to-use LATCH system with the ability to change colors that indicates how buckle straps are properly attached to the car, as well as a load leg that can help prevent frontal crashes.

Jen Trolio, senior editor at Strategist and mother of two, utilized 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 accommodate children of all sizes, including taller ones. It's a great option for a variety of vehicles and is a light, 50-pound rear-facing weight limit. Plus, it converts to a booster seat, which Trolio used with her oldest daughter until she was 10 years old. older.

Nuna RAVA is another affordable option. It doesn't come with a base, however it is still easy to install using the rigid LATCH connectors. They flip out of the bottom and turn green when the seat is attached to the vehicle. The RAVA is a comfortable baby seat with a no rethread harness. Magnetic buckle holders make it easy to secure the straps, without removing your baby from the car seat. LaBracio also liked the recline that has six positions.

Forward-Facing Options

Necks of children can be cradled by the back of the seat in front-facing seats, rather than being pushed forward onto the car seat. This is a way to protect them from collisions with other vehicles as well. Car seats typically allow infants as young as 20 pounds and one year of age to sit in the rear. However, many experts suggest that children ride rear-facing as long as possible--their neck muscles and bones will become stronger when they're ready to move to an forward-facing seat.

When considering options for forward-facing car seats, ensure they meet iSize requirements, have a cushioned head rest, and a deep harness pocket. Be sure to check the maximum height and weight limits, and consider purchasing 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 option that allows the child to be moved from an rear-facing car seat (with harness and tether) to a forward-facing seat with a harness and then onto the booster seat.

It is important to consider whether the car seat will fit in your vehicle, particularly when it has a narrow trunk or a low clearance. Check the dimensions of the car seat as well as the owner's manual of the vehicle to ensure the best fit.

Also, make sure you choose a car seat that has comfortable and adequate support for your child's body. Long journeys in the car will be more bearable in the event that they sleep comfortably. This could include features such as a reclining headrest or a five-point harness which can be tightened from the rear of the seat, and a wide range of recline positions.

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

Once you've done your research and determined what kind of car seat you're interested in now is the time to start shopping around. Look through the selections at your local baby store or online retailer, and ask your friends who have young children for recommendations. You can also book an appointment with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you choose the best car seat for your baby.