Baby's First Car Seat

Prepare for your baby's arrival by purchasing a new infant-only car seat. Read the infant-only car seat instruction booklet and your vehicle owner's manual.

Selecting Your Baby's First Car Seat

You will need an infant-only car seat for your newborn or small baby. These seats, in which the baby faces the back of the car, provide the best protection and support.

Other types of car seats, such as convertible or three-in-one models, may not fit properly because the harness straps are too high for most newborns. 

Try the car seat in your car before buying it. It should fit well and be easy for you to install and use.
	Check the label. All car seats sold in Canada are Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) approved. The CMVSS may look like a symbol, or may be written on a sticker on the seat itself. Note: It's the CMVSS symbol, not the price, which indicates the safety of a child car.

If you have two vehicles, you may want to look for an infant-only car seat model that offers an additional base to install in the second vehicle. Infant-only car seats are small and have a handle, so they can be easily lifted from one vehicle to the other.

Note: Some premature infants may require a certain type of car seat.  See Safe Transportation of Premature and Small Infants.

Installation of the infant-only car seat and securing the baby in the car seat 

The vehicle owner's manual will tell you what type of seatbelt you have and where to find the Universal Anchorage System (UAS) and the tether bolts. They help to position the seat in the car.

For more information, check Harnessing and Installation of a Rear-facing Car Seat.

Also, the Please Be Seated Coalition member agencies work together to provide car seat safety classes, offer displays and operate car seat checkups in Region of Waterloo. Check the Upcoming Car Seat Clinics dates and registration information here.

Using the Infant-Only Car Seat as a Carrier

Use the infant car seat as a carrier only if your baby fits the height and weight limits of the seat. Keep the baby harnessed correctly in the seat whether the seat is in the car or used as a carrier.

An infant car seat can easily tip over when it's not locked in the base. Even if the baby is sleeping, never place the car seat on a raised surface such as a table, chair or grocery cart. Also, always stay within arm's reach of the baby. An infant car seat is not a substitute for a crib. Your baby should not be left to sleep in the seat if it's outside the vehicle.