How to Choose infant car seat newborn Car Seats Best

Car seats are a must-have for parents. What makes one seat better than the other?

A dedicated infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter for easier transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, think about safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As every parent will tell you, choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The correct seat will ensure that they're placed properly in the car seat inserts for newborns and that they're adequately secured in the event of an accident.

Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Certain models come with special features to protect infants, such as load legs that reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat as well as built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your child.

Dedicated portable infant car seat car seats are also designed to fit babies at their best and often include extra crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, says Choi. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. You can buy used ones at a fraction of the price as they're only used for your baby's first 12 months.

A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are crucial, but the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital showed that 95% parents made at least one mistake when installing or changing their car seat.

It's a good idea to take a few minutes to learn the correct car seat use guidelines before your little one arrives. We suggest that you select an portable infant car seat car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough that it is easy to carry around with your baby.

You should also check to see whether the infant car seat you're considering fits the dimensions required for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your own abilities to install and use the car seat properly you might want to bring it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive a hands-on tutorial before your baby is born.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have extra features that make them more user-friendly. Some infant car seats have features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they could have a base on which the seat can be pushed in and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting 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 an infant car seat are also important factors to take into account. If you have a child who is growing rapidly, it may be worth the extra cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you keep it in use for as long as you can.

Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Choose padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels comfortable beneath them. Select a seat with the ability to lie flat. This allows your child to ride in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are a number of accessories for infant car seats but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing anything that is not included in the seat, as it is not tested for crash and could be dangerous. You should also avoid buying used infant car seats, because they could 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 features that all the top picks have in common. All are lightweight easy to put in and remove, and are comfortable for the child. Some have features that make them more adaptable, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Take a look at our review of the best infant car seats to get more details on the different choices available.

Comfort

The top infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. The best infant car seats feature one-handed clasps which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at the same time. They also come with padding that is cushioned to make it easier to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to consider the weight of the seat--you'll be using it without a base in the end so a lighter model is the best. The Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a while choose an infant car seat that will adapt to your baby's needs and fit them into the toddler years. This way, you'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.

You should also think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or larger than other models. This can be a boon for smaller vehicles, and the latter is a benefit when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or require driving with three kids in the back seat at some time. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with detachable seats. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna provide options that satisfy this requirement.

For ease of use, check out the ratings the car seat is given for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color coding--can aid in reducing stress on parents who are new. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or under the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb the force of impact during a crash.

There are additional accessories that claim to increase the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything not included with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety tests. Segura advises that you shouldn't place anything in your car seat, including a blanket or harness you bought from a different source.

Style

For parents who are new, figuring out how to select the best infant car seat can be a bit of an exercise. It's essential to know your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all depends on what's most comfortable for babies.

It's important to note that convertible car seats are not suitable for infants and can only be used until one year. Some have extended kits that have been tested in a crash that will allow them to last longer. They also tend to have more recline modes to allow proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter, making it easier to carry around. They are more likely to be compatible when used in conjunction with the travel system. This is a great option for parents who are new and want to save money and time by buying a seat that will serve two functions.

Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial factors for most 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 in their seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.

When it comes to convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats that have the ability to move from base to carrier and click directly into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This can save you lots of time, especially during busy times when you have to run the errands.

Other convenient features include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Look for a head and body support insert to stop infants from slumping into the seat or carrier as they fall asleep.

Some car seats have rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of installation is more secure and may limit the amount of time a car seat moves during an accident.