How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're 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 suggests. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight restriction.

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 or car seat that limit movement in a crash.

Safety

Car seats for infants are made to fit small babies best infant car seat, and so they generally come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is important because you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The infant car seat is designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child outgrowing its weight or height limits.

It's an excellent idea, however, to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Take a look at reviews written by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features could help you buckle your baby faster and easier but remember that even the safest of seats are useless if you don't use them correctly.

Other factors to be aware of are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car, while others can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat at the same time. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good option.

In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, since the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. For instance, it's recommended to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best infant seat infant car seats are those that can fit in the car of your family, are simple to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and are designed to be used by both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the harness and headrest without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly if your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be light and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.

You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, be sure to check its weight and height limitations. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. In general, you should select a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include additional features such as crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an portable infant car seat seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in 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 with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the harness and headrest. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments which don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect comfort especially if it's being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower, making it easier to place them in the backseat with other car seats or even siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from getting sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more flexible, such as rotational options or the capability to convert into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Some models come with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra safety in case of an accident. These features aren't essential to ensure safety, however they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have a safe and comfortable experience. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both front and rear 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. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers make infant car seat inserts for newborns seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could raise the cost of the seat but improve comfort for your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, like rotating infant car seat mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.

One of the most important aspects is the ease of installation and detaching from the base. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're strong or flexible. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to tighten and loosen, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option if your plan is to switch cars or take taxis often. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to ensure that your seat is set correctly.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have noted the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the infant is done using it is a benefit.

Doona is a car seat for infants that will pamper parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our product testers gave it top marks across the range. It's approved for travel on air, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.