Buying a car seat for your infant—and any child, for that matter—is a huge responsibility. After all, correctly using child safety seats can reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle accident by as much as 71 percent. While there are a lot of different features and kinds of car seats to consider, we’re breaking down the most important factors to look for when choosing a car seat for your newborn baby.
Rear Facing is Required
The only safe position for a newborn car seat is rear facing, in the back seat. In fact, it’s the law in Pennsylvania until babies are two years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children should stay in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the top height or weight limitations of the car seat. To find this information, check the instructions included with your seat from the manufacturer.
Infants can ride safely in two different types of rear-facing seats:
- Infant car seat: These seats are specifically designed to be safer for newborns and small babies. These seats can be easily detached from the base, allowing you to carry your baby in the seat by a handle.
- Convertible car seat: Convertible car seats can be installed rear facing during baby’s younger years, then switched to forward facing once your child meets the rear-facing height and weight limitations. These seats aren’t able to be quickly detached from the car like an infant car seat.
No matter which kind of car seat you choose for your newborn, ensure that it has a five-point harness that attaches at baby’s shoulders (below the baby’s shoulders when rear facing and above the shoulders when forward facing), hips and between the legs.
Check the Height and Weight Requirements
All car seats come with different height and weight limitations. It’s crucial to check these restrictions before purchasing to make sure the seat is the safest fit for your baby. Remember, some babies are tiny at birth. You’ll want to ensure the car seat you choose can safely support a newborn, especially if they’re born prematurely or are below six-and-a-half pounds at birth.
Infant car seats typically have a maximum weight limit of 22-35 pounds, and a height limit of 26-35 inches depending on the manufacturer. Once your baby reaches these limits you’ll need to purchase a car seat that can support a larger child. If you purchase a convertible car seat, it’s important to check the weight limitations for the rear-facing position. Once your child reaches the height or weight limit, it’s time to turn them forward-facing.
Don’t Buy Used
Secondhand car seats are a no-no unless you know the previous owner and complete history of the car seat. That goes for purchasing car seats at garage sales, flea markets, second-hand stores, and online sites such as Facebook marketplace.
If a car seat has been in a crash, or is missing parts, labels or instructions, there’s simply no way to ensure it’s safe for your little one. Also important? Checking the expiration date of the seat. After a time, the materials used to construct the car seat begin to stretch and wear, and aren’t as safe as they were at the time of manufacturing.
When you purchase a new car seat online, make sure it’s from a reputable retailer and that the instructions, safety card, and safety label including the date of manufacture are all included. Believe it or not, there are counterfeit car seats that end up on the market. I’s better to be safe than sorry.
Ensure You Understand the Installation Method
Before you start installing your little one’s car seat, it’s important to do some learning. Carefully read the instruction manual (and look at the diagrams) to make sure you’re ready to install the seat as correctly as possible. Most vehicle manuals will provide additional instructions on car seat installations based on the make and model of your car. It is best to read both the car seat manual and vehicle manual to ensure you are installing the car seat correctly.
Once it’s time to install baby’s car seat or base, move your car to flat ground. Follow all directions closely, checking things like:
- Tightness: It should not move more than an inch in any direction at the belt path
- The level: There will be clear instructions on how to ensure your seat is leveled properly. Some even come with a built-in bubble level
- The angle: Some car seats—particularly convertible car seats — recline to different levels depending on which kind of installation you’re using. Be sure your seat is correctly reclined for a rear-facing installation. This is especially important for young babies who do not have control of their neck. An improper recline can cut off the baby’s airway, preventing them from breathing.
It’s estimated that around 50 percent of child car and booster seats are installed incorrectly—and we know how precious your cargo is, mama. To be sure that your seat is installed as safely as possible, we recommend visiting a certified technician that can show you how to properly install your car seat for free, or check the seat’s installation before your baby rides in it.
Car seat check locations In Lancaster County can be found here, or check out safekids.org for more resources.
Remember: Before you’re allowed to bring your baby home from the hospital, you will have to show your care team that you have a car seat that fits your newborn properly. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a certified car seat check at one of our locations by the time you are 34 weeks pregnant. Your little one’s safety is top priority!