You must have an infant car seat, or safety seat, to bring your baby home from the hospital. And you must use the seat any time you take your baby in the car. IT’S THE LAW!

Safety is the top priority when it comes to baby’s first car seat, but how do you really know which one is the right pick for you? I’ve sorted through the top models to help you find the comfiest, most secure ride for your babe. Sorry, toddler-moms - this one’s all about infant-only seats. I also stuck to those with 5-point safety harnesses, which most experts agree are tops, and all models here include a snap-in base that can stay in your car for easy comings and goings. When you’ve found the seat that seems right for you, be sure to check for any recalls, learn to install it correctly, and keep the receipt until you’ve tried it out - different models work better with different cars.

Buy a new infant car seat, if you can. You can choose an infant-only seat, which is always used rear-facing. All infant seats in the United States now have a minimum weight limit of 22 pounds. You can also choose a convertible seat. These start out rear-facing but can change to a front-facing seat when your baby gets bigger. Look for a model with a five-point harness (two shoulder straps, two leg straps, and one crotch strap).Try the seat in your car before you buy it. Not all car seats work in every car. Also, make sure the car seat does not move more than 1 inch in any direction once installed. If you want to take your baby out of the car in the seat or use the seat with a stroller, buy an infant seat that clicks into a separate base. You can leave the base in the car. If you use more than one car, you can buy a base for each car. Send in the registration card. That way, you will be told if the seat is recalled for safety problems.

If you get a used infant seat, make sure: It is not more than 6 years old. Look for a label on the seat that indicates the date it was made. It has never been in a crash. It’s important to know the history of the seat. It has not been recalled. It has labels explaining proper installation and the seat’s weight and height limits. It has the instruction manual.

Put loose items in the trunk, or strap them down with cargo anchors. Loose items can fly around in the car and hurt your baby if you have to stop suddenly or you are in a crash. Replace the car seat right away if it is in an accident. Never leave your baby alone in the car. A car can get very hot, even on a cloudy day. To help you remember that your baby is in the car, put a soft toy in the front seat. Or secure something you need, such as a purse or backpack, in the backseat near your baby as a reminder.

As your baby grows, you will need to change his car seat.