How to Choose
Infant Car Seats BestCar seats are an essential item for parents. What is it that makes one car seat better than the other?
A special infant seat fits the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easier transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs and head and body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions that you can make. The best seat will ensure they're positioned properly in the car and ensure they're secured in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Certain seats come with features that are designed to protect infants. For instance load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the car seat and base. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit babies at their most comfortably and usually come with extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers, making them ideal for daycare and ride-share drop-offs and pick-ups. They're also durable. through the first year of your baby's life it's possible to purchase a second-hand one for only a fraction of the cost.
A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are essential however, the way you use your child's car seat is more important. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital showed that 95% of parents made at least one error when installing or altering their car seat.
It's essential to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby is born with correct car seat guidelines. We suggest that you select an infant car seat that comes 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 considering fits your vehicle's size requirements. If you're concerned about your capability to install and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born to receive a hands-on tutorial.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have additional features that make them more user-friendly. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they could include a base that the seat can be pushed in and out, or they might have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can make it more convenient to attach and remove the car seat, particularly when you have other children to attend to.
The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your child is growing rapidly it could be worth purchasing an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you can use it as long as you like.
In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat must also be comfortable. Look for cushioned straps that don't squeeze or rub their shoulders and plush fabric that feels soft beneath them for extended durations of time. It's also a
good infant car seats idea to choose the seat with the option of lying flat which allows your infant to be in a relaxed position that keeps their airways open and their oxygen levels high.
Dr. Segura warns that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat, as they have not been tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. Avoid buying used infant car seat because they might have been in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
While the top infant car seats cost anywhere from $100 to $600, there are a few features that all the top picks have in common. They're all light and easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the infant. Some have extra features that make them even more adaptable. For instance, they can swivel or clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. For more information about the various options available, check out our list of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easy to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. It is also important to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll use it without a base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat for a long time, look for a model that can adapt to your baby's needs and fit them into the toddler years. Then, you'll be capable of using it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.
You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or larger than other models. This can be an advantage for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter is a benefit when you have two kids in car seats that are back-to-back or have to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use a car seat with a pram, you should choose one that is compatible with the most popular strollers and has detachable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna provide options that satisfy this requirement.
For ease of use, check out the score the car seat is given for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color codes--can aid in reducing stress on the new parents. Some seats also have innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing parts found under the seat or on the base which extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the impact force during a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything not sold with the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. "Anything you purchase that's not from the manufacturer, including the harness or blanket you shouldn't put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
It can be a challenge for new parents to determine the best infant car seats. It's essential to know your budget and what features you want. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and even fabrics. But it all comes down to comfort.
It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and can only be used until the age of one year. Some even include extended kits that have been tested in a crash, which will help them last longer. They tend to come with more recline settings to facilitate the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which is beneficial for parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to serve two purposes.
Another thing to keep in mind is that car seat weight and width are crucial factors for most families. Certain infant car seats, for instance are narrower and can fit better in the back of your vehicle or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are also heavy enough to test your biceps strength and move from car to stroller.