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 adapt to your child's needs look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be transformed into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It has a big rear-forward facing infant car seat weight limit.

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

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, which is why they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to lift out of the car, or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely be required to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of being built to last for the first year of your child's life so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits in the same way that the convertible car seat might.

It's an excellent idea to do some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

Find features that will help your family. For instance, an easy release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These types of features can make buckling your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest of seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them properly.

Other things to keep in mind are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Others can be able to grow with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. If you are planning to use the car seats by age seat to travel or take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle will be a convenient choice.

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

Convenience

The ideal car seat for your infant is the one that will fit in the vehicle of your family and is easy to install and use, and has useful features like the built-in stroller or rotating capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to more than $500. They can cost more when they are convertible and used as a toddler and infant seat.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly if 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 help you quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles and also move the seat when not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, you need to determine its weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. As a rule, choose a seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also has load legs, which can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added safety and convenience features.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have thick, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the harness and headrest. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of a car seat for infants can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them easier to fit in the back seat with another car seat or other siblings seats. While all models come with height and weight restrictions Some are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you carry it from one place to another or between cars.

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more adaptable, such as rotational options or the ability to connect to a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Other models have top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars to add extra safety in the case of a crash. These features aren't necessary for safe riding, however they can improve 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 remove to clean. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking clean.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and also an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the dizzying array of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is best car seats for infants for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limit and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs, anti-rebound bars and no-rethread straps could increase the price of the seat but improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat because not every seat can be used in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, can affect this. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Certain models let you use the seat without a base which is useful if you take taxis often or plan to switch cars often. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set correctly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and the canopy that expands and is locked into the position. Our product testers also said that having a seat that can be used as a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is an added benefit.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it Top Rated Baby Car Seats marks in every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and converts directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapter). The results of its crash tests are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.