Best Infant Car Seat: A Simple Definition
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you are looking for an automobile seat that will develop with your child you should consider an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to be converted into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an advantage. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will be required to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. The dedicated infant car seats that swivel car seat is designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child outgrowing its weight or height limit.
It is a good idea to do some research prior to you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents and reviewing safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash test data to give to families.
You should also consider whether the seat has features that can be beneficial to your family, such as a one-handed strap release, a no-rethread harness or an adjustable foot with springs. These kinds of features could help you buckle your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats are useless if you don't use them properly.
Other things to keep in mind are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. If you plan to use your car seat newborn seat to travel or take taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only your vehicle's seatbelt is an ideal choice.
In general, it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, since the most affordable models do not meet the highest crash safety standards. For example, it's best car seat (get redirected here) to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best infant carrier car seat car seats for infants are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family They are also easy to install and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without having to remove the baby from the seat. You want to be able to install and remove the seat with ease and quickly, particularly if you need to switch it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can quickly get the car seat correctly installed.
You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to buckles as well as harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to verify its weight and height limits. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. In general, you should select a seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.
While federal safety standards are the minimum, a few manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for car seats that are safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require to be rethread.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings' seats. While all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it around town or between vehicles.
Certain infant car seats come with additional features to make them more versatile. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller without need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bars to offer extra security in the event of a crash. These features aren't required for a safe ride but they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Look for a model that's machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking clean.
Certain models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator to let you know when the seat is properly attached. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make easy single-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the variety of features available makes it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Other features like load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could increase the cost of the seat but improve the comfort of your baby. Look for features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats fit in every vehicle.
One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're rigid or flexible. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.
Some models allow you to use the seat without a base, which can be convenient if you take taxis often or if you plan on changing cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and built-in locking mechanism.
Certain features could be worth the extra cost for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and an extension canopy that is locked into the position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster after the infant has finished using it is an additional benefit.
The Doona is an infant car seat that delights parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our testers scored it highly across all categories. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and transforms directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). The results of its crash tests are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.