How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents must have car seats. What makes one car seat better than another?

A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easy transport outside the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, like premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look for safety features such as load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As every parent knows that choosing the best car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child. The correct seat will ensure they're positioned correctly in the car and that they are adequately protected in the event of an accident.

Not all car seats are created equal. Although every seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Some models have features that are specifically designed to protect infants. For example load legs help reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat. Other features include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit tiny babies best and often come with extra crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, according to Choi. They're also lighter than a convertible car seat and can be easily converted to a stroller. This makes them ideal for drop-offs at daycares, rides and pick-ups. You can purchase a used one at less than the cost because they're only good for the first 12 months.

Another factor to keep in mind is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are essential, the way you use your car seat is more important to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents made a mistake at least once when installing or changing their car seats by age seat.

It's important to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby arrives with the correct car seat guidelines. We recommend that you choose a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so it's easy to carry around your baby.

You should also check to verify that the infant car seat you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're worried about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born for a hands on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seat for newborn seats have extra features that make them easier to use. Some infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they might have a base into which the seat can be clicked in and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can help make it more convenient to set up and remove the car seat, particularly if you have another child to look after.

It is also important to take into consideration the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If your baby is growing rapidly, it might be worth purchasing a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you want.

Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for plush fabric which feels comfy underneath them. Choose a seat that has the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to sit upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura advises that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat because they haven't been tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. You should also avoid purchasing used rotating infant car seat car seats as they may have been in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

While the best infant car seats cost between $100 and $600, there are a few things that the top choices have in common. They are all lightweight, easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the child. Some have features that make them more flexible such as the ability to rotate and clip onto strollers without the need for additional adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats to get more information on the various choices available.

Comfort

The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easier to get your baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both straps simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll use it without a base, a seat that is lighter is preferred. The Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

The height and weight limit of infant car seats are crucial. If you intend to keep the car seat for a while you should look for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby and will allow them to transition into the toddler years. You can use it longer and save money by not buying another seat.

You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat and whether it is narrower or wider than other models. The first can be useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second may be useful if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you intend to use the car seat in conjunction with strollers, you should look for one that is able to be removed from car seats and is compatible with the majority of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this need.

Review the rating of a car seat for user-friendliness. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding, that indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level, can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing pieces found under the seat or on the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the impact force during a crash.

There are also a few accessories that claim to enhance the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any accessory not included with the car seat hasn't been tested or vetted for safety. "Anything you buy that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to choose the best infant car seat is a bit of a puzzle. It's crucial to understand your budget and what features you want. There are plenty of different options in terms of special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all is based on what's suitable for your baby.

For example, 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 might come with extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to make them last longer). They typically offer more recline options to ensure the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that is able to perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important aspects to take into consideration for the majority of families. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others for a better fit in the back of your car or to be used in conjunction with siblings seats. Others are heavy enough to test your biceps strength and transfer from car to stroller.

When it comes to convenience, many parents opt for infant car seats with the ability to go from the base to the carrier and then snap into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This will help you save a lot of time, especially during busy times when you have to run around for errands.

Other useful features include the magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a streamlined installation procedure. Lastly, look for an head and body support insert, which will aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the seat or carrier in the event of a nap.

Some car seats have rigid latches that open from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and can limit the amount a seat moves during the event of a crash.