Convertible Car Seats that are Suitable for Newborns

Two weeks ago I shared 4 reasons to skip the infant car seat in favor of a convertible one. As I noted in that post, not all convertible car seats are suitable for newborns.

However, a great number of convertible car seats are perfect for newborns. How can you tell which are suitable and which aren’t? I’ll share the answer to this question below. I’ll also provide a list of specific convertible car seats that are good options to consider when purchasing one for a newborn.

What to look for when purchasing a convertible car seat for a newborn

Good convertible car seats for newborns are those that fit newborns well. According to experts (here and here), there are several factors to consider when it comes to fit.

• Strap position. When a car seat is in a rear-facing position, the shoulder straps should begin at or just below baby’s shoulders. Because babies are small (their torsos usually measure around 7 inches in height), the lowest strap slots on their car seats should be no more than 7 inches from the bottoms of the seats.
• Crotch buckle position. If a crotch buckle if far away from baby’s body, then baby will likely slouch. Slouching is dangerous because it allows baby’s head to fall to his or her chest, which impairs breathing. Therefore, it is best to have a seat with a short crotch strap.
• Harness fit. When snugged down over baby, a car seat harness should pass the “pinch test” (i.e., when you pinch the strap at the baby’s collarbone, it should be snug enough that you can’t grasp any of the strap—your fingers should slide off the strap).
• Recline angle. When in car seats, newborns require a recline angle of about 45 degrees (to prevent their heads from falling forward and compromising their airways). This is challenging to achieve in some vehicles and with some seats. Make sure that a given car seat can be installed at the correct angle in your vehicle or that the manufacturer allows a pool noodle or rolled towel to be used to achieve the proper recline angle.
• Overall fit. Baby should not slump to the side when in the car seat. Most seats come with inserts that boost and position baby’s body so he or she is positioned correctly (good infant inserts generally position baby so his or her head can rest farther back than the body). If baby needs support to remain upright, then use the infant insert that came with his or her car seat (this insert has been crash tested) or use rolled receiving blankets (see how here). DO NOT use aftermarket inserts because these have not been crash tested and may void the car seat’s warranty.

Specific seats to consider

You can’t take every convertible car seat with you to the hospital when you have baby in order to see if he or she fits. You have to make this determination before baby arrives. There are several ways you can accomplish this.

• Visit stores that have car seats on display. There are likely stores in your area (Walmart, Target, Buy Buy Baby, etc.) that have car seats on display. Take a measuring tape (to measure from the lowest strap slot to the bottom of the seat) and a newborn-sized doll with you to see how a newborn would fit in various seats.
• Read reviews. When consumers write reviews for car seats, they often include information such as the ages and sizes of the babies who ride in the car seats they purchased. Thus, by reading reviews, you can find out a lot about how babies of various sizes fit in the car seats that interest you.
• Ask friends and family members. Ask questions of friends and family members to find out what car seats they’ve used for their newborns. If these folks still have the seats, you can even measure them yourself and see if they are easy to use.

Thankfully, there are experts who’ve evaluated numerous car seats and have determined that the following are good car seats to consider for newborns.

• Chicco NextFit
• Graco 4Ever
• Britax ClickTight Convertibles
• Clek Foonf or Fllo with Infant Insert
• Cosco Apt 40 or 50
• Cosco Scenera NEXT
• Evenflo SureRide
• Graco Size4Me/Head Wise/Fit4Me/MySize
• Graco Contender
• Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible
• Graco Extend2Fit Convertible

Just because a car seat is listed here doesn’t mean it is right for your baby or your vehicle. Take a close look at those that interest you, read reviews, and make sure they will fit in your vehicle before making a decision.

I hope this information helps you select a good convertible seat for your newborn! We’ve used the Graco Size4Me 65 from birth for all three of our kids and it has worked well.

Are there additional thoughts or tips you would like to add? Do you have a favorite convertible car seat that is suitable for newborns?