ParentlistInfant Car Seat
Rear-facing seat that clicks into a base and a stroller, needed for the ride home.
- Priority
- Essential
- Ages
- 0-12 months
- Category
- Car & Travel
When you need it
An infant car seat is needed from the very first day, since many hospitals expect you to have one installed before you take your baby home. Most babies ride in one until somewhere around 9 to 12 months, or until they reach the seat's height or weight limit, then move to a convertible seat.
What to look for
Make sure the seat meets your country's safety standard and is not expired or recalled, which matters especially with secondhand seats. Install it exactly as the manual and your vehicle manual describe, and consider having the installation checked by a certified technician. Look for an easy-to-read level indicator, a harness that adjusts without rethreading and a carrier weight you can actually lift. Follow the height and weight limits printed on the seat, and check that it clicks into your stroller if you want a travel system.
Infant Car Seat: common questions
- Do I need an infant car seat?
- If your baby will ever ride in a car, you need a properly fitting car seat from birth. An infant seat is not the only option, though, since many convertible seats are rated for newborns and stay rear-facing for years. The infant seat's advantage is portability, letting you carry a sleeping baby inside or click them onto a stroller.
- When does a baby need an infant car seat?
- A baby needs a car seat from the first car ride, including the trip home from the hospital. The infant seat usually lasts until around 12 months or its size limits.
Ages
- Newborn essentials (0-3 months)
- 3 Month Old essentials (3-6 months)
- 6 Month Old essentials (6-9 months)
- 9 Month Old essentials (9-12 months)
On these checklists
- Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom, Baby & Partner
- Newborn Essentials Checklist
- Baby Registry Checklist: What You Actually Need
- Road Trip With Baby Checklist
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