Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However some go above. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will appreciate such as extra padding, a cushioned inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

When selecting our top picks, we took into consideration factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, extra features and price. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However, some seats come with extra features that are beyond the minimum requirements. They could include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps, and more. The more features a car seat has, the better, according to experts I spoke to.

The more user-friendly a car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it properly. This will reduce the chance of injuries to their child in the event of a crash. This is especially important with an infant car seats on sale car seat since it's designed for an extremely short time. Look for a model with a bubble indicator and an incline foot that is spring loaded for making it easy to adjust the seat. Make sure the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.

Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers provide include the no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful but the safety of your car seat is only dependent on the vehicle that you use to drive. Take a look at the car's owner's manual for tips on how to properly secure your infant seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, be aware that you'll only be able to use it for about 2 years before your child is old enough to transition to an convertible seat. This is why some families choose to not use an infant seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which has higher height and weight limits. When buying an infant car seat, be sure to take into consideration the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for the child, fits inside your car, and has convenient features like converting to a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's the most crucial aspect to ensure your child's safety on the road.

Easy to Use

You want a car seat for your infant that is easy to connect and remove from the base, regardless of whether you plan to use it in a single vehicle or move it between several. Look for clearly labeled instructions for installation and an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also, think about how it is easy to alter the car seat as your baby grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.

One of the best infant carrier car seat features that infant seats include is a load leg, which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and the car's floor, providing additional stability in the event of an accident. It's an especially important feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of sustaining head injuries in a crash is higher when an infant is seated near to the floor, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features that can improve infant car seat uk car seat user experience include a harness that is not rethread and anti-rebound bars, which help keep the seat from bouncing back in an accident. The latter has been proven to lower the chance of sustaining head injuries by as much as 43 percent. The Evenflo's LiteMax DLX is a great choice for those with a tight budget and looking for a car seat that is ARC-certified and has a few top features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat received an outstanding rating by safety experts for children. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness that can be reclined in five positions, and an extended canopy that has magnets that ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look for is an infant seat that is able to be set up by the lap belt, and doesn't require the use of the base. That's ideal for parents who intend to take taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require the trip back and forth to the car seats by age to install a new seat. For instance the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its equivalent TRIV travel system come with an extremely rigid LATCH system integrated into the seat's bottom, making it quick and simple to install in any vehicle. It also can be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can also be converted into a highback booster or backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 pounds). It's an excellent choice for families with a limited budget.

Comfort

When your baby is stuck in car seats for a long period of time, it's essential that they are comfortable. This means padded shoulder straps and soft fabric that feels cozy against their tummy or back, and a growing headrest. Look for an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow and.

While a seat that has a lot of special features may cost more, they're also often easier to use. When we evaluate a car seat for infants, we consider factors such as a one-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a harness that doesn't rethread. We also take into consideration the weight and size of the seat, as an extremely heavy or bulky seat can put stress on your biceps when you transport it to and from your vehicle or in between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is an additional option. It's typically found in more expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly choices that have this additional safety feature.

The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs at around the age of two or three. Consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be converted into a toddler seat. This option will give you a little more flexibility in your car and is perfect for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona which combines the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one package. It's the ideal choice for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school by public transportation. It's also easy to install. Our testers who were experts in the field praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers reported that the seat is compact and lightweight, which is essential for those with a limited trunk room. It's also free of any flame retardant chemical which is a major advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.

Convenience

The best infant seats have features that make them easy to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows, the top infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get into and out with minimum of hassle. Other important things to look at is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which can be handy both inside the car and also attached to a stroller.

One thing that may seem like a small deal but can save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that informs you whether it's been put in place correctly. The line should be parallel to ground and is located on the base. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if you intend to travel with your baby and you'll need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

Another benefit is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat newborn car seat which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping child from the car to the supermarket or out for errands without the need to carry the separate baby carrier. This is a life-changing feature for parents trying to get back to normal after a lengthy trip or commute with a child.

If your baby is expected to grow rapidly, choose an infant car seat with more weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are made to be equal. Certain models have features that go above and beyond, such as load legs that brace the car seat's base for additional stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Certain extras can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, and make you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.