By Sarah Burns on August 8, 2010 in
Bringing an infant home from the hospital can be a stressful endeavor. More often than not, parents are worried about their new bundle's safety--making the car seat they select for the occasion an incredibly important purchase. So what should you look for when buying an infant car seat? Here, some important considerations.
Infant car seats are used by newborns until they weigh about 30 pounds or reach about 32 inches in height -- and the hospital isn't going to let you leave unless you have one installed in your car. Car seats for newborns are placed in cars in the rear-facing position -- the safest position for babies until they are at least a year old. This type of car seat comes in two parts: the car seat itself and the base unit, which stays in the car. The car seat can snap out of the base and double as a carrier, so you don't have to wake your sleeping child.
You should know that all car seats are certified as meeting federal safety requirements, so any new car seat you buy is safe. However, we consulted independent tests and user reviews to find the seats that go above and beyond. By far the best value in this category is the Graco SnugRide. For more car-seat picks, check out our freshly updated report on infant car seats.