How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you want a car seat to grow with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limitation.
It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are attached to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, so they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take out of the car or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is important since you'll likely be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means you won't have to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are stringent but it's recommended to conduct your own research before purchasing. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to share with families.
You will also want to examine whether a seat has features that can be particularly helpful for your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed and a harness with no rethread or an adjustable foot with springs. These kinds of features could make buckling up your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the most secure seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.
The weight and width of the car seat is also important. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be small enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child and then transition to a booster seat while you're at it. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to transport or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a good alternative.
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 instance, it's
best car seat for newborn uk 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 are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family They are also simple to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. They can be more expensive when they are convertible and will be used as a toddler and infant seat.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without having to remove the baby from the seat. You want to be able to install and take it out easily particularly if you move it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can swiftly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good guideline is to select a seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. That feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, since infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading.
The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect the comfort of your child, particularly if you plan to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or siblings' seats. Although all models have height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This can save your biceps from aching when you carry it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For example, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Other models include high-end features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. Although these features aren't essential to the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as an indicator that informs you when it's properly attached to the base. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make easy one-handed adjustments.
Design
Manufacturers of infant
car seat for newborn seats make them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the wide selection of features makes it difficult to choose which is best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit, the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost but could also increase the comfort of your baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every
car seats newborn.
One of the most important aspects is the ease of installation and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, can influence this. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.
