How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you are looking for a car seat that can develop with your child then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one.

The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an added benefit. Other helpful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the car, or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is vital since you'll likely be required to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is designed to last for your child for the first year. This means you won't have to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limits.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent but it's a good idea to do your own research before purchasing. You might want to read reviews from 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.

You will also want to examine whether a seat has features that could be particularly helpful for your family, like the strap release that is one-handed or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These features assist in securing up your child, but remember that even the most safe seats will not be useful when they are not used in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child and convert to a booster in the same time. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle will be a convenient choice.

In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The ideal infant car seat travel car seats newborn seat for you is one that will fit comfortably in the vehicle of your family and is easy to install and use, and has convenient extras like a built-in stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range between $180 to more than $500. If they're convertible and will be used for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.

You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as turn the seat around when it is not in use. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. In general, you should select the seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go above and beyond to offer additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a Top rated baby Car Seats choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also comes with a leg that stabilizes the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats that have safety features and convenience.

Comfort

One of the most important considerations when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit in the back seat alongside another car seat or your siblings seats. Although all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.

Certain infant car seat that swivels car seats come with additional features to make them more adaptable. For example they can rotate or be converted into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Other models include premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars to add additional safety in the case of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential for a safe ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking clean.

Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear facing infant car seat and front collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and an indicator that lets you know that it's attached correctly to the base. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide simple one-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to choose which is best for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar, and no-rethread straps may increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats fit in every car.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. Also, you should be aware of whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a single-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 if you are planning on switching cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is securely installed, look for models with bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that increases with the growing baby or a recline with five positions, as well as an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also noted the fact that a seat can be used for a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is an additional bonus.

Doona is an infant car seat that will delight parents. It's loaded with features that address nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers scored it highly across every category. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.