The Good Housekeeping Institute’s engineering and parenting pros have reviewed dozens of car seats over the past two years, including infant car seats. They have also worked with real parents to test car seats in a variety of vehicle brands and sizes to make sure that these car seats work for everyone’s lifestyle.

First, they ensure that each car seat has passed Federal Safety Standards. Then they perform in-Lab and at-home tests to assess safety, ease of installation, stability, ease of adjustments, ease of getting babies in and out of the carrier, removal of carrier from the base and installation into compatible strollers, and more. To accomplish this, the Lab sets up each car seat in a variety of vehicles and strollers and uses an eight-pound baby “dummy” to simulate putting a child in the car seat and evaluate how easy it is to secure them as well as install the car seats.

What to Look For When Shopping for an Infant Car Seat

Many convertible car seats are safe for newborns, but infant car seats are designed specifically around the needs of an infant, offering additional targeted support for their neck, head, and spinal cord. Typically, infant car seats are also smaller than other types of child car seats, offering easier access to your baby when getting in and out of the car and compatibility with certain strollers, so you can simply take out the car seat and fix it to a stroller without removing the baby.

Here are some aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat:

Height and weight limits

While height and weight limit will vary from model to model, you must respect the maximum of either. If you exceed the seat specs, it’s time to move on to a bigger car seat for the babe.

Carrier weight

Most infant car seats use a base secured into your vehicle, allowing you to keep the baby undisturbed inside the seat while you tote them in and out. Make sure the seat + the weight of the baby is light enough to lift in and out comfortably.

Stroller compatibility

Carriers are typically compatible with a range of strollers, extending the use of some strollers that can’t be used at birth, making it much easier to get from point A to B with a newborn.

Ease of installation

The experts at GHI found the most difficult aspect of testing was securing the car seat to the vehicle. Many seats require considerable strength. Additionally, different car seats fit better for different-size cars. Before purchasing any car seat, take note of the tight squeeze spots your vehicle naturally provides, and measure the size of your vehicle’s back-seat clearances. It is always recommended you visit a certified car seat professional if you need help with installation.

Expiration

All car seats are marked with an expiration date, generally between six and 10 years from the date of manufacture. If you are hoping to use your seat for multiple children, take note of the expiration. Also, never use a car seat that has previously been in an accident.

Harness type

You’ll see two harness options when choosing your perfect car seat: rethread and no-rethread. If you choose a rethread harness, this means that as your baby grows, you’ll need to reach around and reroute the straps through the back of the harness each time you need to adjust the size.