How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you need a car seat that can expand with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both a high-back and backless booster.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an advantage. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base of the car seat that limit movement in a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car or set on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is crucial because you'll probably have to transport your child in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is designed to last your child through the first year. This means you won't have to worry about your child exceeding the weight limit or height.
It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
Find features that can benefit your family. For instance, an easy release of the strap, a no-rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These features assist in securing up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats can be dangerous in the event that they aren't used properly.
Other things to keep in mind are the size and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some of them can grow with your child and convert to an adult booster in the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative.
In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The ideal car seat for your infant is one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family, is easy to install and use, and has convenient extras like the built-in stroller or rotating ability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats can vary between $180 to over $500. They may cost more when they're convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. You want to be able to set up and remove the seat easily particularly if you move it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and have clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to determine its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. In general, you should select a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with a load leg, which stabilizes the seat in a crash, and reduces the force on the body of the child by 40%. This alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when choosing an infant car seat is the comfort, as infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature comfortable, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.
The weight and size of a baby car seat can also impact comfort, especially when you are planning to change cars or travel with the seat often. best car seats for newborns are narrower than others, making them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings' seats. While all models come with weight and height limitations Some are lighter. This could save you from having sore biceps when you carry it between cars.
Some infant car seats come with additional features to make them more versatile. For instance they can be rotated or be converted into a stroller without need for adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and bar that prevents rebound to give you extra safety in case of an accident. While these additional features aren't essential to the safety of your ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.
Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that lets you know when it's properly attached to the base. The adjustable harness tightener and carry handle make simple one-handed adjustments.
Design
Manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and comfort as their primary objectives. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to decide which is best for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every car.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. You should also be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.
Some models let you use the seat without a base which is useful if you take taxis often or if you plan to switch cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and built-in locking mechanisms.
Some features may be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature and the canopy that expands and locks in the correct position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat that can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster after the infant has finished using it is a nice benefit.
The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's got many features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across the spectrum. For instance, it's certified for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and transforms directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapters). The crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.