Infant car seat guide
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- Rear-facing infant car seat with base. Best for: Newborns and young babies. See options on Amazon
- Extra infant car seat base. Best for: Families with two cars. See options on Amazon
- Car seat cover that goes over the harness. Best for: Cold weather. See options on Amazon
Install checklist
| Step | What NHTSA says | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Back seat, rear-facing | Base or seat faces the rear of the car |
| Secure | Seat belt (locked) or lower anchors, never both | No twists in belt or straps |
| Tighten | Press down firmly and tighten | Moves no more than 1 inch side to side or front to back |
| Angle | Correct recline angle | Use the built-in angle indicator |
From NHTSA's How to Install Rear-Facing Car Seats. Always read your car seat manual and the vehicle owner's manual first.
Installing the base with a seat belt
- Read the car seat manual and your vehicle owner's manual, especially how to lock your seat belt.
- Place the base in the back seat.
- Thread the seat belt through the rear-facing belt path with no twists, and buckle it.
- Lock the belt using the vehicle's seat belt system or the car seat's lock-off.
- Press down firmly on the base and tighten. It should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back.
- Check the recline angle with the built-in indicator.
- Attach the infant carrier to the base.
Installing the base with lower anchors
NHTSA says lower anchors are in at least two rear seating positions, as two small bars in the crease between the vehicle seat back and cushion. To install:
- Find the lower anchors using your vehicle manual.
- Connect the base's lower anchor attachments, making sure the straps are not twisted.
- Press down firmly on the base and tighten the straps to the 1-inch standard.
- Set the recline angle and attach the carrier.
Lower anchors have weight limits set by the vehicle and car seat makers. NHTSA says to check the label on the side of the seat; without one, the limit is 65 lbs minus the weight of the car seat. Most rear-facing seats in the U.S. do not use a tether, but follow your seat's instructions.
Buckling your baby in
- Back and bottom flat against the car seat.
- Strap slots at or below the shoulders for rear-facing, with straps flat and untwisted.
- Pinch test. Buckle the harness and chest clip and tighten until you cannot pinch any extra strap material at the shoulder.
- Chest clip at armpit level.
- No bulky coats. Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug fit; buckle the baby in first, then put coats or blankets over the harness.
- Support. If needed, small rolled blankets can fill spaces on each side of the shoulders and head. Never put thick padding under or behind the baby unless the seat maker recommends it.
When to move to a convertible seat
NHTSA says that when your child outgrows the infant car seat, switch to a convertible or all-in-one seat and keep using it rear-facing. These seats typically have higher rear-facing height and weight limits, so your child can stay rear-facing longer. If a baby under 1 year old grows too tall or too heavy for an infant seat, a seat with a higher rear-facing limit is strongly recommended. Keep your child rear-facing until they reach the top limit allowed by the seat's manufacturer.
See our convertible car seat guide for the next stage, and our booster seat guide for later.
Registration, inspection and crashes
- Fit in your car. NHTSA says not all seats fit all vehicles, so test the seat you plan to buy in your car if you can.
- Register it with the maker to get recall and safety notices, and sign up for NHTSA recall alerts.
- Inspection. Certified technicians at car seat inspection stations will check your install, in most cases free of charge.
- After a crash. Replace the seat after a moderate or severe crash. A minor crash, as NHTSA defines it, means the car was driven away, the door nearest the seat was not damaged, no one was hurt, air bags did not deploy, and the seat shows no visible damage.
What to look for when you buy
Rear-facing infant car seat with base
Best for: Newborns and young babies
NHTSA says children under 1 should always ride rear-facing; infant-only seats are rear-facing only.
Watch out: Check that it fits your vehicle before you buy.
See options on AmazonExtra infant car seat base
Best for: Families with two cars
A second base lets the carrier click in without reinstalling, using the same install steps.
Watch out: Buy the base made for your exact seat model.
See options on AmazonCar seat cover that goes over the harness
Best for: Cold weather
NHTSA says to buckle the baby first, then place blankets over the harness rather than bulky coats.
Watch out: Nothing should go under the baby or behind the harness.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How long should my baby ride rear-facing?
- As long as possible, until the top height or weight limit of the seat; always rear-facing under age 1, NHTSA says.
- How tight should an infant car seat be installed?
- It should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back.
- Where should the chest clip go?
- At armpit level.
- Can my baby wear a winter coat in the car seat?
- NHTSA says bulky clothing can prevent a snug harness; buckle first, then put coats or blankets over the harness.
- Can I use both lower anchors and the seat belt?
- No. NHTSA says use lower anchors or the seat belt, never both.
- Do I need a new car seat after a crash?
- After a moderate or severe crash, yes; not automatically after a minor crash as NHTSA defines it.
Sources
- How to Install Rear-Facing Car Seats (nhtsa.gov), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Car Seats and Booster Seats (nhtsa.gov), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Car Seat Use After a Crash (nhtsa.gov), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration