How to Choose the Best infant car seat best Car Seat

Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you need an automobile seat that can adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into a high-back and backless booster.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an advantage. Other features that are helpful include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or in the car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best, and so they typically come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will need to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. Car seats for infants have the advantage of being designed to last for your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent, but it is still a good idea to do your own research before making a purchase. Take a look at reviews written by other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

Look for features that will be useful to your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These types of features can make buckling up your baby quicker and easier but remember that even the safest seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child, and then convert to a booster at the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good alternative.

In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of crash safety. For instance, it's best to avoid models that don't include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in your family vehicle They are also simple to install, and include useful features like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible and are intended for both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.

The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be positioned using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly for children who ride Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles and also move the seat when not in use. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go above and beyond to offer additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the harness and headrest. They have easy-to-use adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect the comfort especially if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller making it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This will help you from sore biceps when you move it from one place to another or between cars.

Some infant car seats that swivel car seats offer extra features that make them more versatile, such as rotating options or the ability to connect to a stroller without the 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 extra safety in the event of a crash. These features aren't required for a safe ride but they can enhance the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable car seat for their baby. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and an indicator that lets you know when it's properly attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the vast range of features can make it difficult to determine which is best for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotating mechanisms. Be sure to pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat because not every seat can be used in all cars.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, could influence this. 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 installing and uninstalling the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. 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 properly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense, such as the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, and the canopy that expands and is locked into the correct position. Our product testers have also noticed that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the infant is done using it is an advantage.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers gave it top marks across all categories. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.