How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're in need of a car seat that can expand with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into a high-back and backless booster.

It also scores high for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are attached to the car seat base and reduce movement during an accident.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best infant seat, and so they typically offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car, or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seat for newborn seats, which is important since you'll likely need to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life so you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their weight or height as fast as the convertible car seat might.

It's an excellent idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Take a look at reviews written by other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

It is also important to consider whether the seat comes with features that could be beneficial to your family, like an easy strap release with one hand and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features could make buckling up your baby faster and easier, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats will be useless when you don't use them correctly.

Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some of them can be able to grow with your child and convert to an adult booster in the same time. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or to 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, it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the most affordable models don't meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants (lovewiki.faith) are ones that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from about $180 to over $500. If they're convertible and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.

Convenience features include how easy it is to set up the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly if your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have access to buckles as well as harness straps. Before purchasing an infant car seat, you need to verify the weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. In general, you should select a seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also comes with a load leg, which helps stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the force on the body of the child by 40 percent. That feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for car seats that are secure and comes with additional convenience features.

Comfort

The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting the right car seat for your infant, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have comfortable, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding in the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of a car seat for infants can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to place them in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings seats. While all models come with weight and height limitations Some are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you move it from one place to another or between cars.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more versatile like rotational options or the capability to convert into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with high-end features, such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer extra safety in case of an accident. Although these features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get a safe and comfortable experience. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and also an indicator to let you know when the seat is properly secured. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for simple one-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats that swivel car seats create them with safety and convenience as their primary goals. However, the broad range of features can make it difficult to decide which is best for your family. It is important to take into account factors such as weight and height limits as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as anti-rebound bar, load legs and no-rethread straps could increase the price of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotating infant car seat mechanisms. You should also pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats will fit in every car.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. It is also important to consider whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or plan to switch cars frequently. Look for models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature and the canopy that expands and secures in the position. Our product testers have also noticed that having a seat that can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby is finished using it is a benefit.

The Doona is an infant car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it top marks in every category. For example, it's approved for travel on airplanes, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into a stroller (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.