How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you need a car seat that will adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert 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 elements on the base or car seat that limit the impact of a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are designed to fit tiny babies the best, which is why they usually have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car, or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is crucial since you'll likely have to transport your child in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last for your child's first year, so you don't need to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous however it's recommended to conduct your own research prior to making a purchase. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to share with families.
You should also examine whether a seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as a one-handed strap release, a no-rethread harness or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These types of features can make buckling up your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the safest of seats will be useless when you don't use them correctly.
The weight and the width of the car seat is also crucial. A lot of infant seats can be put in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some can be able to grow with your child and convert to a booster simultaneously. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat which can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.
In general, it is recommended to buy the safest car seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For instance, it's best to avoid models that don't include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle They are also easy to install and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for toddlers and infants The price could be higher.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. You should be able to install and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.
It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as move the seat when not in use. When you purchase an infant car seat, you need to verify its weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. A good guideline is to select a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
While federal safety standards are the minimum, a few manufacturers go above and beyond to include additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has load legs, which stabilizes the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40 percent. This alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth paying more for car seats that are secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also come with simple adjustment mechanisms, such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort, especially if it is intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or your siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it around town or between vehicles.
Certain infant car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars for additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't necessary for a safe ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.
Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.
Certain models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy a safe and comfortable experience. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to stand up to rear and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator indicate when it is properly attached to the base.
Design
The manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the vast variety of features can make it difficult to choose which one is the best fit for your family. It is important to take into account aspects like weight and height limits as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost but could also increase comfort for baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base because not all seats will fit in every car.
One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change cars or take taxis frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and integrated locking mechanism.
Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that expands with the infant as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extended canopy that locks in the position. Push Chairs And Prams testers also said that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the infant has finished using it is an added benefit.
The Doona is the kind of 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 test participants gave it top marks in all categories. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and converts directly into a stroller (no need for separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.