How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you want a car seat that can develop with your child you should consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached to the base or car seats and reduce movement during the event of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car, or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is vital since you'll likely have to transport your child in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child for the first year. infant car seat best Pushchairs & Prams means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit.
It's an excellent idea, however, to conduct some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents and looking through safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to provide to families.
Look for features that will benefit your family. This could include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These features can assist in securing up your child, but remember that even the most safe seats are useless in the event that they aren't used properly.
The weight and the width of the car seat is also important. Many infant car seats can be put in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some of them can grow with your child, and then convert to a booster at the same time. If you plan to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is installed using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great alternative.
In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants are those that can fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install, and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and taking it off should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features like crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. That feature alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for a car seat that's secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants 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 backseat alongside other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Certain infant car seats come with extra features to make them more adaptable. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models are equipped with high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable car seat for their child. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Certain models go over and beyond to ensure their customers have the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that informs you whether it's securely attached to the base. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide easy, one-handed adjustments.
Design
Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and convenience as their primary goals. However, the vast range of features can make it difficult to choose which one is right for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits, the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features such as anti-rebound bar, load legs and straps that do not rethread could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to 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 an aspect 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 loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Some models let you use the seat without a base which can be convenient when you frequently take taxis or plan on changing cars often. Find models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed properly.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense, such as the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature and an extension canopy that secures into the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is an added bonus.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that spoils parents. It has many features that solve almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks across the spectrum. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.