How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you need a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limitation.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that limit the impact of a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from your car or attach to a stroller frame which is important because you will be required to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. The dedicated infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent, but it is still recommended to conduct your own research before buying. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to share with families.

It is also important to look into whether a seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or an adjustable foot with springs. These kinds of features could help you buckle your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats are useless if you don't use them properly.

Other things to consider are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some can expand with your child and can be converted to an adult booster simultaneously. If you plan to use your car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.

In general it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually don't meet the highest crash safety standards. Beware of models that don't have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seat for newborn car seats for infants [see this site] are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family, are simple to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should also be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from around $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be light and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight 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. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant car seat best seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of large, breathable fabrics as well as ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also come with simple adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from aching when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them more versatile. For instance they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for additional adapters. Other models have top features such as an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't essential to ensure safety, but they can enhance the overall experience.

Parents want their infants to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have 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 stand up to rear and front collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seat in front seat car seats create their products with safety and ease of use as their primary objectives. However, the broad selection of features makes it difficult to decide which one is right for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as anti-rebound bar, load legs and no-rethread straps could raise the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your baby. Look for features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, like rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and base weight as not all seats are suitable for every car.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they are rigid or flexible. It is also important to determine whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Some models allow you to use the seat without a base, which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or if you plan on switching cars frequently. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the growing baby car seat, a five-position recline and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers have also noticed that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.

Doona is a car seat for infants that will pamper parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our product testers have rated it as top in every category. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also transforms directly into a stroller (no need for separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.