Car Seat For Newborn: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Which is the Best Car Seat For Your Newborn? A good car seat ensures your baby is safe, secure and comfortable when you're on the road. Which is the best for your baby? The right choice for infant car seats isn't easy. There are so many options to think about, including latch hooks, belt pathways, and load legs. Here's what you need to be aware of in order to make the right choice for your family. Easy of Use If you're in the market for a car seat for your infant for your baby or upgrading from an infant car seat, you'll want a model that is easy to install and use. Consider the size and weight of your child, the seat's capacity in the car and any additional features, like a lay-flat option which can also be used as stroller. Infant-only seats are a great choice for small babies because they're generally narrower than convertible car seats and fit newborns more snugly. They come with a harness to ensure your child's head is supported in an accident, which can reduce the strain on their neck or the spinal cord. Convertible car seats are perfect for parents who intend to keep their babies rear-facing as long as possible because most models allow children to ride in a rear-facing position until they weigh 30 pounds or more. If you decide on a convertible car seat, you should look for one that complies with the federal safety standards and has a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds or more. When shopping for a car seat it's important to consider that, even though all car seats must conform to the strict NHTSA safety standards There are plenty of different models available on market. Select a car seat that has been approved by a reputable company or company. Also, look for recalls or complaints from the manufacturer. The most rated car seats for babies feature skin-friendly fabrics, plush padding, and a variety of recline positions. Some car seats come with additional padding on the shoulder strap and near the buckle to keep your baby comfy during long road trips. If you're driving a small vehicle, think about an infant car seat that is narrow like the Clek Liing. It's less than 17 inches wide and is able to be installed in most automobiles. The Mesa Max from UPPAbaby that is designed to be used with strollers made by UPPAbaby, is another great choice for families who require a car seat with no fuss that is simple to use. The auto-retracting harness, EZ buckle and premium lower anchor connectors are all simple to use. Safety Features You should consider some aspects when selecting the right infant car seat. If you want to ensure that your child is comfortable throughout the ride or are looking for a light car seat that is safe for your child to use on long trips, it's important to consider some of the characteristics. Consider first the height and weight limits of your infant car seat. This will determine how long your baby can safely be in the seat, so look for a model that goes up to minimum 90th percentile measurement prior to when they turn one. Consider whether you would like to put a blanket or coat on the harness straps. The AAP recommends against this because thick clothing could be compressed in a crash and make the straps too loose to restrain your child, thereby increasing the chance of injury. You should also consider whether your car seat will be installed using the LATCH system or a belt for your vehicle or if it's compatible with other strollers or travel systems. A car seat that is able to fit onto a compatible base is ideal if you plan to use it for a majority of your journeys and will save you time and energy by not having to take it off it and reinstall it each time you drive. The Cybex Cloud G Lux, which won Best of The Bump, received top marks during our testing for its ease of installation and adjustment. Testers stated that it “has everything needed to make a quick and easy installation.” It comes with premium LATCH connectors that open from the base and change to green when fully connected, plus a SuperCinch strap tightener that can force-multiply and an adjustable foot with springs. Push Chairs And Prams is the Baby Trend's budget-friendly Secure-Lift, which we've found to be as simple to use as other models that cost twice as much. Our testers have been raving about its five-position, height-adjustable headrest that adapts to the size of your baby, no-rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders. The Maxi-Cosi jade is a great choice for newborns because of its unique 180-degree sleep position. This allows them to sleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer on travel. It's also been praised for its safety, with consumer advocate Which? declaring it to be one of the most secure infant car seats on the market' and ADAC awarding it the highest lab score for an infant car seat. Rear-Facing Options In most vehicles, a newborn's safest position is in the middle rear seat. The center seat is the furthest away from any potential impact, and will protect your baby best in an accident. If possible, you should opt for a car seat that lets your child ride rear-facing until they're about a year old. It is also essential to ensure that the car seat is set up correctly and that the headrest is snug against your child's chest and head. Consult a certified child passenger technician who can give you the most up-to-date suggestions for car seat installation and use. Find one in your area here. The car seat you select for your newborn will be a major investment, and you'll use it for many years. You'll want to choose 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 at ease. The Clek Liing is a great option to parents looking for a budget-friendly rear-facing infant car seat. It scored well in our analysis and sensor test. It comes with a simple LATCH system that changes color to show that the buckle straps are properly secured 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 seat's adjustable harness height as well as length allow it to fit all children from tall to short. It's an excellent option for a variety of vehicles and comes with a modest 50-pound weight limit for rear-facing children. Additionally, it can be converted into a booster seat that Trolio used with her oldest daughter up until she was 10 years old. young. Nuna RAVA is a different, affordable option. It doesn't have a base like most other seats, but is still extremely simple to put in using either method with its rigid LATCH connectors, which flip out from the bottom of the seat. They then automatically turn green once secured to the vehicle. The RAVA is suitable for infants with no rethread harness. The buckle holders are magnetic, making it easy to secure the straps without having to remove your child from the car seat. It also has a six-position recline which LaBracio found useful. Options with a Forward-Facing Focus Children's necks can be cradled by the seat back in front-facing seats rather than being pushed forward onto a hard vehicle seat. This also helps protect children from side-impacts better. The majority of car seats allow infants to ride rear-facing until they weigh over 20 pounds and a year old. Many experts advise that children remain rear-facing as long as they are able to. Their neck muscles and bones will be stronger when it's time for them to transition to a front-facing seat. When looking for options for forward-facing seats, ensure they meet the i-Size standards and have a padded harness pocket, and a cushioned seat headrest. Consider buying a car seat which will grow with your child and become a booster. Certain models come with an all-in-one option that allows the child to be moved from a rear-facing car seat (with tether and harness) to a forward-facing car seat with a harness and then into the booster seat. It's also important to determine whether the seat fits your vehicle well, especially in the case of a tiny trunk space or a vehicle with a low 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. Finally, you should look for a car seat that provides adequate support and comfort for your child's body. Long journeys in the car will be less stressful if they can sleep comfortably. This can include features such as the ability to recline the seat back, a five point harness that can be tightened from the back of your seat, and a range of recline positions. Once you've narrowed down your options, you should consider the policies on crash replacement for the car seat you're thinking of buying. These can be anything from a manufacturer's replacement policy to a personal case review. After you've done some research and determined the type of car seat you'd like You can begin looking. You can also ask your friends with children for recommendations. You can also schedule a consultation with a CPST at Rockridge Kids to help you find the right car seat for your baby.