How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?
A special infant seat is the ideal option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience extras like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one-button handles. Also, look out for safety features like load legs and head and body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions that you can make. The correct seat will make sure that your child is positioned properly and is adequately secured in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are equal. While every car seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Some have special features designed to safeguard infants, for instance, load legs that help reduce movement in crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base of the car seat and others have built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your baby.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit babies at their best, and typically come with extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, according to Choi. They are also lighter than convertible car seats and can easily be converted into a stroller. This makes them ideal for daycare drop-offs, ride-shares, and pickups. You can purchase an used one for only a fraction of the cost because they're only good for the first 12 months.
A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are important, but the method you use to install the car seat of your child is more important. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents made at least one error when installing or adjusting their car seat.
It is important to familiarize yourself before your baby is born with appropriate guidelines for car seats. We recommend you pick an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough it's easy to carry around your child.
Examine if the infant car seat you are considering fits the requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're worried about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly by yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born for a hands-on demonstration.
Convenience
Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they may have a base into which the seat can be clicked into and out, or they could feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features make it simpler to set up and remove the car seat, especially in the event that you have a child in your care.
The weight and the height limits of a car seat for infants are also important to take into account. If your child is growing rapidly, it might be worth purchasing an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you can use it for as long as you'd like.
In addition to safety features, your child's car seat must also be comfortable. Look for cushioned straps that don't squeeze or rub their shoulders and soft fabric that feels cozy under them for extended periods of time. It's also a good idea to choose the seat with a lie-flat mode, which allows your newborn to ride in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and their oxygen levels high.
There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats however Dr. Segura warns against buying anything that is not included in the seat, as it hasn't been crash tested and could be unsafe. Avoid buying used infant car seats as they could be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
While the top infant car seats range between $100 and $600, there are a few features that all the top picks have in common. They're all lightweight, easy to put in and take off, and comfortable for babies. Some models have additional features that make them more adaptable. For best car seat infant can pivot or clip into strollers without adapters. Check out our comparison of the best infant car seats to get more information about the various options on the market.
Comfort
The best infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it without a base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.
Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for an infant car seat that will expand with your child and fit them into the toddler years. You can use it longer and save money by not buying an additional seat.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it's smaller or larger than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second may be beneficial if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you plan to use the car seat along with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats and is compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.
To make it easier to use, check out the ratings that a car seat gets for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color-coded markings--can help reduce stress on parents who are new. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. These are shock-absorbing parts that extend from the base or beneath the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some force in the event of a crash.
There are also a few accessories that claim to improve the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but keep in mind that any device not sold with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. "Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, including a blanket or harness you shouldn't put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For parents who are new trying to figure out how to choose the most suitable infant car seat can be a bit of an issue. It's essential to understand your budget and what features you want. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's comfortable for babies.
For instance, it's worth noting that infant-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some may come with crash-tested extension kits to make them last longer). They typically have a greater number of recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are more likely to be compatible when used with the travel system. This is beneficial for new parents looking to save money and time by purchasing seats that can serve two functions.
Another important thing to remember is that car seat size and weight are key aspects for the majority of families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others, allowing them to fit in the back seat of your car, or to be used in conjunction with siblings seats. Some are also enough weighty to test your biceps to lift and move from stroller to car.
Many parents choose an infant car seat that can be transformed from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands your children.
Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy-to-install process. Look for a head and body support insert to stop infants from slumping into the carrier or seat when they fall asleep.
Some car seats feature rigid latches which flip out from the base when installed correctly. This type of installation is more secure and restricts the amount of movement a car seat can move during a crash.