We have used this seat for our 5-month old since day one. When he was a newborn we used one of those padded head supports shaped like a horseshoe. He is quite comfortable in it. We have put him in other carseats when we have visited friends and he seems much less comfortable than in the Triumph. We like the harness system and once we got used to it we have not found it difficult to use. In fact I like that I can loosen it and readjust it as often as I wish.