How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can adapt to your child's needs, 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 an incline-back booster and a backless one.
It also scores well for comfort and quality with soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the base or car seats and reduce movement during an accident.
Safety
Dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best, and so they typically offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. 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 vital considering you will likely have to transport your child in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit.
It is a good idea, however, to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to share with families.
Find features that will benefit your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features can help you buckle your baby faster and easier however, you must remember that even the most secure seats are useless in the event that you don't utilize them properly.
Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child and transition to an adult seat while you're at it. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good option.
In general, you should purchase the safest seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For instance, it's best to avoid models that don't include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family, are simple to install, and include useful features like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should be affordable. Infant seats can range in price from around $180 to $500. If they're convertible and are intended for both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant from the seat. You should be able to put in and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat must also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.
You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles and move the seat when not in use. It's also important to check the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. It is generally recommended to select a car seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.
Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that provides more than just good crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat during an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on a car seat with added safety features and convenience.
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 thick, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They also come with simple adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.
The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort especially if it's going to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are tinier making it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all models have height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This will help you from sore biceps when you move it between cars.
Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable. For instance, they can rotate or be converted into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Other models have top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars to add extra safety in the event of an accident. While these additional features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their infant. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like 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 baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that informs you that it's attached correctly to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator let you know that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
Manufacturers of infant car seats create their products with safety and ease of use as their primary objectives. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to decide which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. best car seats for infants as load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could increase the price of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your baby. Look for features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotating mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they are rigid or flexible. You should also be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened and loosened and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.
Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient when you plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly.
Some features may be worth the extra cost for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or the canopy that expands and secures in the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster after the infant has finished using it is an additional bonus.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that spoils parents. It comes with a variety of features that solve almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our product testers gave it top marks all over the spectrum. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and transforms directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.