Factors to Consider When Choosing an Infant Car Seat
Cost: When considering the cost of a car seat, it is important to remember that price does not always reflect safety or quality. All car seats must meet the same safety standards, regardless of price, so spending more does not necessarily mean getting a safer seat. Higher-priced seats may include extra features or aesthetics or come from well-known brands, but these elements are not essential for safety.
If those added features matter to you and fit within your budget, that is fine. However, if your primary concern is safety, you don’t need to spend much to ensure your child is secure in a quality car seat.
Avoid Used Car Seat: Second-hand car seats should be avoided unless you know the previous owner and the seat’s full history. This applies to buying car seats from garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, or online platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
Rear-Facing is Required: Newborns must always ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat, as required by law in Pennsylvania until age two. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping children rear-facing until they reach the car seat’s height or weight limit, which can be found in the manufacturer’s instructions.
There are two types of rear-facing car seats for infants:
- Infant car seat: Designed for newborns, these seats are easily detachable, allowing you to carry your baby by the handle.
- Convertible car seat: These can be used rear-facing for babies and later switched to forward-facing as your child grows, though they are not as portable as infant car seats.
Whichever seat you choose, make sure it has a five-point harness that secures at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs for maximum safety.
Height and Weight Requirements: Before buying a car seat, it is essential to review its height and weight limits to ensure it is the right fit for your baby. Some newborns, particularly those born prematurely or weighing less than six-and-a-half pounds, may need a seat that can safely accommodate their smaller size.
Infant car seats generally support a weight range of 22-35 pounds and a height of 26-35 inches, depending on the model. Once your baby outgrows these limits, you must transition to a larger car seat. If you are using a convertible car seat, verify the weight restrictions for its rear-facing setup. When your child surpasses the height or weight limits, it is time to switch to a forward-facing position.
Understand the Installation Method: Before installing your baby’s car seat, carefully read both the car seat and vehicle manuals. This will ensure you fully understand the correct installation process. Vehicle manuals often provide car seat installation instructions specific to the make and model of your car, so reviewing both is essential for a safe fit.
When installing the seat or base, park on a flat surface and follow the instructions closely. Check for tightness (the seat should not move more than an inch at the belt path), proper levelling (many seats come with built-in levels), and the correct recline angle, especially for newborns who need extra neck support. Incorrect recline can obstruct the baby’s airway, which makes proper installation critical.
Since nearly 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly, it is highly recommended to visit a certified technician for a safety check to ensure your car seat is safely installed before using it with your baby.
If a car seat has been in an accident or is missing parts, labels, or instructions, its safety for your child cannot be guaranteed. It is also crucial to check the expiration date, as the materials in the seat can degrade over time, making it less effective than when it was first manufactured.
When buying a new car seat online, ensure it is from a trusted retailer and that it comes with the instruction manual, safety card, and labels showing the date of manufacture. Counterfeit car seats exist, so it is always better to err on caution to protect your little one.
