How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Think about what you want from your car seat. "If you're looking for an automobile seat that will develop with your child then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also a plus. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts which are attached to the car seat base and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.
Safety
They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car or set onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is crucial since you'll likely have to transport your child in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child for the first year. This means you won't need to worry about your child exceeding the weight limit or height.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous however it's a good idea to do your own research prior to making a purchase. Consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to share with families.
Find features that will benefit your family. These include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These features can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats are useless when they are not used correctly.
Other things to keep in mind are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Others can grow with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster simultaneously. If you plan to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is an ideal choice.
In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family, are easy to install and have convenient extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to over $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.
Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you can adjust the headrest and harness without taking the infant out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can easily install the car seat properly installed.
Push Chairs And Prams must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, it's important to verify its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has an element that helps stabilize the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats that have safety and convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting a baby 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 generous padding on the headrest and harness. They also come with simple adjustment mechanisms, such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect the comfort particularly if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower, making it easier to fit them in the backseat with other car seats or siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others, which can prevent your biceps from getting sore when carrying it between vehicles.
Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more adaptable like rotational options or the ability to click into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra security in the event of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.
Parents want their children to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking clean.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable and an indicator that tells you when it's properly attached to the base. The adjustable carry handle and harness tightener allow for simple single-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the variety of features available can make it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like an load legs, anti-rebound bars and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat can be used in all cars.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, will influence this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are simple to tighten and loosen, and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.
Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to change cars or take taxis often. To make sure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and built-in locking mechanisms.
Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that increases with the infant, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have observed that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby has finished using it is a benefit.
The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It's loaded with features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats, which is why our product testers gave it top marks in all categories. For example, it's approved for travel on airplanes, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need for separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.