Trying to find the best car seat for your newborn? Let’s break down everything you need to know.

When you find out you’re expecting, car seat shopping can feel overwhelming. There seems to be an endless amount of options on the market (at every price point imaginable), so how do you go about finding the best option for your family car? That’s where I want to help.

If you’re new here- I’m Kelly the Car Mom and helping families find the best car and car seat for their needs is my thing. I’m a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), mom of four, and if there is one thing I know better than anything else - it’s family cars. I want to help you narrow down everything you need to consider when making your car seat setup perfect for everyday life.

So without any further introduction, let’s talk about absolutely everything you need to know when it comes to finding the best car seat for your newborn!

Kelly, I'm Expecting... What Do I Buy First: A New Car, Stroller, or Car Seat?

First off, congratulations! As soon as families find out you're expecting, it seems like the first thing a lot of parents do is immediately go out and buy either a car, car seat, or stroller. While these purchases are all important to daily life with a newborn, take the time to consider all of your needs before you go out and buy anything.

For a lot of growing families, a new car or their very first stroller is the immediate go-to buy. While these are the more “fun” choices, I highly recommend starting out by car seat shopping. Why? Your car seat will let you know what stroller to purchase and if you need a new car (most likely, you will not).

Newborn car seats (or their technical term “rear-facing-only”) have a reputation for being a more difficult installation because they take up more space than forward-facing or booster seats. This means great protection for your child, but it requires a lot of patience, plus some trial and error, to find a seat that works for your second row.

This is why I recommend buying a car seat first, so you can properly install it without being committed to a brand-new car or stroller. Oftentimes, I hear from families that the space available in their current car works just fine, but the stroller they originally wanted is not compatible with the car seat that works best.

The more conservative (or less fun) car seat purchase allows you to cover all your bases when it comes to seeing what will fit in your car. This avoids having to return unnecessary items or realize your new car payment is unnecessary and the old car would’ve worked just fine.

What To Know Before Car Seat Shopping

When it comes to car seat shopping, you should keep two crucial factors in mind: how to install the car seat correctly and understanding what a newborn car seat is.

Newborn Car Seat Classification

When you begin your car seat search, the variety of options can be confusing. Rear-facing, forward-facing, boosters—it’s a lot to take in. But let’s keep it simple for now and focus on what you need for a newborn.

Newborn car seats, sometimes informally called "pumpkin seats," are always rear-facing. This is the safest direction for your baby to face in the event of a collision. While it’s true that you can technically use a convertible car seat for your newborn if the weight limit is low enough, I don’t recommend it. Why? Because the positioning typically isn’t ideal for such a tiny baby, and it’s much less convenient.

What makes infant car seats so great is their convenience. These seats have handles, which means you can take them out of the car and use them as a carrier without waking your baby. Most infant car seats also come with a base that stays installed in the car. This way, you can easily click the car seat in and out of the base, making transitions much smoother.

If your family has more than one car, you don’t need to buy multiple car seats; just get an extra base. This feature will save you time, money, and a lot of hassle.

Car Seat Installation

One of the most important aspects of car seat safety is proper installation. You've probably heard the term "LATCH" thrown around, but what does it really mean? LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, and it refers to a system that makes installing a car seat easier without using the car's seat belts.

As a mom and a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), it’s important to me that my kids are as safe as possible when traveling. This means using the LATCH system correctly. Your car seat’s manual will provide guidance on whether you should use the lower anchors or the tether anchors for installation.

Now, here’s where it can get a bit frustrating. Not every seat in every car is equipped with LATCH, and sometimes, even when it’s in the car, it’s not always easy to use. Some cars include it just to check a box, but in reality, the setup is not actually functional. This is one of the reasons I started The Car Mom so I could test out as many family cars as I can get my hands on.

If you want to see an in-depth guide on LATCH installation, check out my post: Car Seat LATCH System What It Is & How To Use It.

Are All Car Seats On The Market Safe?

Yes! As a Certified Child Safety Technician, the safety of both your children and mine is my top priority so I take car seat safety talk very seriously. When it comes to protection, every car seat on the market has been tested and approved for its ability to comply with regulatory standards.

Manufacturers must comply with crash testing, structural integrity, and flame resistance to name a few tests to be able to go on the market. So rest assured your child will be protected no matter what car seat option (at whatever price point) you choose.

I get this question a lot when it comes to slimmest car seats specifically. Yes, rear-facing slim car seats are just as protective as standard rear-facing car seats. If you are looking into slim rear-facing car seats for your newborn, they will still be just as protective as other options on the market. To read more, check out my post: Slimmest Car Seats For Family Vehicles.

Kelly, What’s the Best Car Seat for Newborns?

If you’re hoping for a definitive answer, I’m going to have to disappoint you. There’s no one-size-fits-all car seat that I can crown as the "best." The right car seat for you will depend on your budget and the space available in your second row. That being said, rear-facing car seats are more alike than they are different.

The most important thing to consider is the weight of the seat since you’ll be carrying it in tow with you places. You could fall in love with a car seat, but in real life, its weight makes it impractical for daily activities. Just a note to keep in mind, specifically when looking at 2-in-1 options like the Doona.

My Favorite Infant Car Seats:

Clek Liing: This car seat is compact, making it a great option for smaller cars or families who need to fit multiple car seats in the back. It’s also packed with safety features, which is always a plus.
Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35: A solid choice that offers excellent value for the price. It’s lightweight and easy to install, making it a parent favorite.
Chicco KeyFit 35: Known for its ease of use, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is a top contender. It’s straightforward to install, and the padding ensures a comfy ride for your baby.
Nuna Pipa RX: Stylish, safe, and easy to carry, the Nuna Pipa is popular for good reasons. Its high-end design doesn’t compromise on safety or convenience.
Evenflo LiteMax 35: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, this seat delivers good quality without breaking the bank. It’s lightweight and comes with a generous canopy to shield your baby from the sun. One note to keep in mind with this seat is that Evenflo requires 1.5” of space between the car seat and the front vehicle seat, making its overall footprint much larger than other seats listed.
Doona: I’ve included the Doona because it’s often talked about, but I have mixed feelings about it. While it’s incredibly convenient—it transforms from a car seat to a stroller in seconds—it’s also really heavy and expensive. Some parents swear by it, but for me, the hype doesn’t match how much effort it takes to carry in everyday life.
Evenflo Shyft Dualride: One last option to consider if the Doona seems to be a good fit for your lifestyle. This Doona competitor checks more boxes at a lower price, without compromising on quality. The biggest difference is the wheels can be detached from the car seat frame. A downside to the stroller-car-seat combos is their weight. The Dualride gives you the option to shed several pounds and leave the wheels in the car for when they’re not needed. The handlebar also comes up much higher, so it’s far more comfortable to push for average-to-tall parents.

How To Install Your Newborn Car Seat

No matter which car seat you choose, it doesn’t provide complete protection unless installed securely. To make sure you’ve installed your car seat correctly, here are a few tips:

Practice!: I recommend practicing installing your car seat 6-8 weeks before your due date. Get familiar with the process, but then uninstall it until you’re about 2-3 weeks out from delivery. Why? If you’re in a collision with an empty car seat in the car, it still needs to be replaced. It’s just easier to keep it out until you need it.
Get Comfortable with Buckling: Practice buckling in a stuffed animal so you can do it confidently with your baby at the hospital. Ensure there are no loose or twisted straps, and always read your manual. Everyone who will be driving your newborn needs to feel confident in how to use the car seat properly and buckling is a major step in this process.
The Pinch Test: After buckling your baby in (or the practice stuffed animal), remove all the slack from behind their hips. Slide the chest clip up so it’s even with their armpits. Finally, do the pinch test—try to pinch the harness straps together. If you can, it’s too loose. Tighten it up until you can’t pinch the straps.

The “Best” Car Seat For Newborns Is What Fits In Your Second Row

Choosing the right car seat for your newborn can feel overwhelming, but it all comes down to finding a car seat that can correctly be installed in your second row. While it’s not as fun of a purchase as a stroller or your dream mom car first, finding a seat that fits makes your life easier in the long run. Rear-facing car seats are more alike than they are different so the best option is the one that fits with your car, and lifestyle, and keeps your baby safe.

Do you have a newborn car seat you love for your family car? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the tips for your family car, check out my recent posts:

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