How to Choose a Car Seat for a Newborn or Toddler

Many families start with a lightweight newborn car seat because it can be used as a carrier or attached to a stroller. But babies often outgrow their infant car seats within their first year, which can lead to added costs. That’s why we suggest you consider a convertible car seat for your newborn.

What is a convertible car seat?

Convertible car seats can be used in either rear-facing or forward-facing modes. All-in-one seats are designed to be the only seat a child needs, allowing for rear-facing, forward-facing and booster modes.

Many convertible car seats can fit newborns as small as 4 pounds and transition with your child for years to come. And infants can remain rear-facing for much longer in a convertible seat than in infant seats or carriers with a handle. This allows you to keep your child in the safest position for as long as possible without buying additional baby gear.

If your budget is flexible, and multiple caregivers will be doing daily car trips, consider investing in a travel system (an infant carrier, car seat base and compatible stroller) for the primary caregiver, and a convertible car seat for additional caregivers. This way, you don’t need to buy additional bases for other cars, but you also get the convenience of a carrier. Having a convertible car seat in at least one vehicle also buys you some time and flexibility as your child grows.

It may surprise you how much your vehicle can affect the car seat buying process. Here are some things to consider:

• Cabin size. If you drive a sedan, coupe or compact SUV, you may need a car seat that’s designed to be narrower, or a seat with a smaller front-to-back footprint. Many rear-facing car seats are bulky. Read your car seat owner’s manual to see how much space (if any) should be between the top of the rear-facing car seat and the front vehicle seatback. And check that each front passenger has enough room to sit safely and comfortably.
• Back seat width. If you need to fit three car seats across one row, it may require a lot of planning and measuring. You may even need to buy seats, do a trial installation and be prepared to make a switch or two.
• LATCH systems. Make sure the vehicle seats you plan to install car seats in have the appropriate lower anchor and tether systems. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to be sure.
• Headrests. Headrests can push car seats forward, causing a dangerous gap between the car seat and the vehicle seat. They can also block the top tether strap. Refer to both your vehicle manual and car seat manual to problem-solve for installation.

It’s crucial that your child’s car seat fits their height and weight, and that you’re able to safely install it in your vehicle. But, because you’re likely using this seat every day, it’s also important that it fits your needs and any additional caregivers’ needs as well.

Think about the adults using the car seat daily:

• Are they of shorter stature? You may consider seats that are lighter, have easier harnessing mechanisms or don’t require as much reach to install or secure kids in the car. For example, a lightweight newborn car seat or a rotating convertible car seat may be convenient.
• Are they tall? You may need to be extra-careful that the car seat allows enough room for the driver and any front passengers to sit comfortably. Additionally, many car seat/stroller combos (like a Doona or Evenflo Shyft) may be awkward or uncomfortable for taller people to push.
• Do they have back pain, arthritis or mobility issues? Consider the weight of the seat, ease of buckling and ease of adjusting the harness. For example, seats without a manually rethreading harness don’t need to be taken apart to adjust the harness height. Rotating seats can also be helpful here. Convenience features are worth it if they ensure a safe installation and use for every ride.

Finally, think about how you’ll use the car seat every day. Consider:

• Will you be moving the seat from car to car, or have multiple caregivers to accommodate? Consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat with a simple seatbelt lock-off system. If you want an infant seat, buy multiple bases for the vehicles you’ll be driving daily.
• Do you need to use the same seat for different kids? Whether you’re a nanny or a grandparent, or you need to be prepared for carpool situations, look at car seats with a no-rethread harness. You can adjust the harness height by simply sliding the headrest up and down with a push of a button at the top of the seat.
• Do you walk a lot with a stroller? Consider a travel system, including an infant seat, car seat base and compatible stroller. If the person using the car seat the most isn’t tall, consider a car seat/stroller combo, like a Doona or Shyft.
• Do you use rideshare services frequently? Look into lightweight newborn car seats that don’t require a base for installation, or car seats for toddlers that are designed to be convenient for travel.
• Do you plan to fly with a car seat frequently? Consider a lightweight, narrow car seat that has convenience features for traveling, like one that folds, or a car seat/stroller combo. It's very important that your car seat has the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval statement on it. Not all car seats are approved for use on airplanes, and most infant car seat bases and backless booster seats are prohibited for use on airplanes. Check with your airline and the FAA for specifics on flying with children and car seats.

The best car seat for your family is the safest one. And the safest one is the one that:

• Your child fits in properly.
• You and other caregivers can properly install.
• You and other caregivers can properly buckle your child into.

For brand- and model-specific car seat information, check out this product listing from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If you have questions about car seat safety, you can request a free consultation with a child passenger safety technician, or CPST, near you.

If your child has an injury or is showing signs of illness, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center. If your child has a life-threatening injury or illness, is having trouble breathing or is unconscious, call 911 and/or visit an emergency department immediately.