How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you want from your car seat. "If you are looking for a car seat that can develop with your child think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores well in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the base or car seats and limit movement during a crash.

Safety

Dedicated infant car seats are made to fit small babies best, so they usually have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the newborn car seat, or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is vital because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their weight or height in the same way that convertible car seats can.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent, but it is still a good idea to do your own research prior to buying. Consider reading reviews by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

Look for features that will be useful to your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no-rethread harness, or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats are useless if they aren't used properly.

Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child, and then convert to an adult booster simultaneously. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.

In general it's best to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, as the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. For example, it's best car seats for newborns to avoid models that don't include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants; sneak a peek at this website, are those that can fit in your family vehicle and are easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from around $180 to $500. They can be more expensive when they are convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and taking it off should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness and rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. In general, you should select the seat for your child that grows with them until they reach 90 percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40%. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They have easy-to-use adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat for travel car seat can also impact comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or your siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more versatile, such as rotating options or the ability to convert into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of an accident. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking clean.

Some models go further to ensure their customers have a safe and comfortable experience. For example, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand rear and front collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that lets you know whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and convenience as their primary goals. However, the vast variety of features can make it difficult to decide which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like anti-rebound bar, load legs, and no-rethread straps may increase the price of the seat but improve the comfort of your infant. You may also think about features that help you get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats fit in every car.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. Also, you should consider whether the straps can be easily tightened and loosened and if there is a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which can be useful for those who plan to change taxis or cars frequently. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Certain features might be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature, and a canopy that extends and secures into the correct position. Our product testers have observed that having a seat that can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby is finished using it is a plus.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that address almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants gave it top marks all over the spectrum. It's affixed for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.