best car seat newborn Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. From extra padding to cushioned inlay for newborns to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without having to rethread our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will appreciate.

We took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features, and price when choosing our top picks. Find out the best infant seat (webster-glover.technetbloggers.de) for you and your family by reading.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet federal safety standards. Some seats come with extra features that go beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in, strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a seat comes with, the better.

The more user-friendly the car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This will lower the chance of injuries to their child during an accident. This is especially important for infant seats, which are intended to be used for a short period of time. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to level the seat. Make sure that the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.

Other features that top-quality car seat makers offer include the no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are wonderful but the safety of your car seat is only as good as the car that you use to drive. Check out the car's owner's manual to learn how to secure your infant seat and to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When choosing an infant seat, keep in mind that you'll only be able to use it for a period of about two years before your child is ready to move to an convertible seat. This is why some families choose to leave out an infant seat and move straight to a convertible seat, which has greater weight and height limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try different models before making a decision. You can then make sure that the seat is comfortable for your child, fits inside your car, and has convenient features such as converting it to a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's vital to ensure your child's safety on the road.

Simple to Use

You're looking for a car seats for your baby that is simple to attach and take off from the base, whether you intend to use it in one vehicle or move it between multiple. Find clearly labeled installation guides as well as an operation that is seamless. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats include is a load leg, which serves as a brace between the base of the seat and the vehicle floor to offer additional stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older car, because the risk of sustaining a head injury is higher if the child is too close to the floor.

Other premium features that can enhance the infant car seat user experience include a harness with no-rethread and anti-rebound bars, which will prevent the seat from rebounding during an accident. The latter has been proven to decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with a few key premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an outstanding rating from safety experts for children and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions plus an extendable canopy that can be secured by magnets for full coverage.

Another thing to look for is the type of seat that can be put in by the lap belt, and does not require the base. This is a good option for parents who intend to take Uber or taxi rides, because it eliminates the need to go back to the car every time to put in a new seat. For instance the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the seat's bottom, making it quick and easy to install in any car. It can also be used rear-facing (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds), forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and can be converted into a highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. This is a great choice when you're on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's essential that they are comfortable. This includes padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel cozy against their tummy or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Also, consider a seat that is easy to adjust as your child gets older.

A seat that has many unique features can be more expensive but also easier to use. When evaluating infant car seat we take into consideration things like a one-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no rethread harness. We also look at the weight and dimensions of the seat, since an extremely heavy or bulky seat can strain your biceps as you move it in and out of your vehicle or between vehicles.

Another good choice is a seat with a load-leg, a safety feature which aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in more expensive seats but we've seen couple of budget-friendly options that have this safety feature.

The weight and height limits are also important. You'll need to make sure the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This usually happens around the age of 2 or 3. It's also worth considering convertible infant car seats that converts to a toddler seat. This gives you more flexibility and is perfect for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona which combines car seats for an infant and a stroller all in one package. It's the ideal choice for parents who are on the move particularly those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It is also easy to put in. Our experts who tested it have praised its simplicity of use with the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also remarked how compact the seat is, which is a must for those who have a small trunk space. Plus, it's free of any flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge advantage for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are smooth and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically raise as your child grows the top infant car seats come with convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with minimum of fuss. Consider whether the seat can be machine washed (to make cleaning easier) and if it comes with a canopy. This is helpful both in the car and on a stroller.

One thing that might not be a big difference but can save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that lets you know when it's been installed correctly. This line should be parallel to the ground and is situated on the base. This is especially helpful in the event that you will be changing the car seat frequently or if your baby will be traveling with you and you have to install it in taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it simple to carry your baby to the grocery store or to run errands. You don't need to struggle with an additional carrier. This can be a life-changing feature for parents looking to return to normal after a long journey or a long commute with a child.

If your baby is expected to grow rapidly, choose an infant car seat with a higher weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use 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 equally. Some come with features that go beyond, including load legs that support the base of the car seat to provide added stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of injury to the head in crashes. Other extras, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, can help create an easier ride for baby and help you become a more relaxed, more confident parent.