How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than the other?

A special infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs or body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The best seat will make sure that your child is positioned correctly and adequately secured in the event of a crash.

Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Certain models have features specifically designed to protect infants, like load legs that reduce movement in crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the base of the car seat as well as built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.

Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to fit babies the best. They typically have crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily transferred to a stroller which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare pickups and drop-offs. And because they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life it's possible to purchase an used one at less than the price.

Another point to be aware of is that even though an excellent NHTSA rating and great crash test results are important, the method you use your car seat is more important to the safety of your child. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at least one serious mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

It's essential to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the correct car seat guidelines. We suggest that you select a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so it's easy to carry around your baby.

Examine if the infant car seat you're thinking about purchasing meets the vehicle's size requirements. And if you're worried about your own ability to set up and use the car seat correctly take it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) for an in-person tutorial prior to when the baby is born.

Convenience

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more user-friendly. For instance, they could have a base that the seat clicks into and out of, or they may have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it simpler to install and remove the car seat - especially if there is another child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your baby is growing quickly it could be worth investing in a newborn car seat insert seat with greater limits to ensure you can utilize it for as long as you'd like.

In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat should also be comfortable. Look for padded straps which won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for soft fabrics that feel comfortable beneath them. Choose a seat that has the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns that you should avoid buying any accessories for cheap infant car seats car seats that aren't included in the seat, as they have not been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Also, avoid buying used infant car seats since they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out.

The best infant car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However they all share certain features. They're all light easy to put in and remove, and comfortable for the baby. Some come with additional features that make them more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip into strollers without adapters. For more information about the different options available, take a look at our review of the top rated infant car seats infant car seats.

Comfort

The best car seat infant car seats are equipped with features for comfort that allow you to easily take your child into and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. It is also important to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is preferable. The Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

Other important factors include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat, pick one that will adapt to your child's needs and allow them to transition into toddlerhood. You can keep it for longer and save money by not purchasing another seat.

You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is narrower or wider than other models. The former can be beneficial for smaller vehicles, and the latter is a benefit for families with two children in back-to-back car seats or have to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use the car seat along with a stroller, look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this requirement.

Examine the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened - like bubble levels or color coding--can help reduce stress on parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components found under the seat or on the base which extend to the vehicle floor and absorb some of the force of a crash.

There are accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. Be aware that anything not sold with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety testing. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything else in your car seat, including a blanket or harness you bought elsewhere.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to choose the best infant car seat is a bit of an issue. It is important to determine what your budget is and what features you'd like to have. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot depends on what's most comfortable for baby.

For example, it's worth noting that dedicated infant seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some might come with extensions that have been tested for crash to ensure they last longer). They usually come with more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important to consider for most families. Certain infant car seats, like are narrower and can fit better in the back of your vehicle or close to other seats. Others are heavy enough to test your biceps to lift and transfer from car to stroller.

Many parents opt for an infant car seat that can be converted from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller without needing any extra attachments. This can save a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands your little ones.

Other useful features include the magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a streamlined installation procedure. Also, look for a head and body support insert, which can help prevent infants from slumping in the carrier or seat when they fall asleep.

Some car seats have rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base if installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of an accident.