How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one superior to another?

A specially designed infant seat is ideal for small babies best, and is lighter for easier transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one-button handles. Also, look out for safety features like load legs and head and body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions that you could make. The best seat will ensure that they're in the right position correctly in the car and that they are adequately secured in the event of an accident.

While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all seats are created equal. Certain models have features specifically designed to protect infants, such as load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base and others have built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your child.

Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to provide the perfect fit for babies. They often have crash-tested inserts which aid in this. They are also lighter than convertible car seat and can be easily transformed into a stroller. This makes them perfect for drop-offs at daycares, rides, and pickups. You can buy a used one at only a fraction of the cost as they're only used for your baby's first 12 months.

Another factor to be aware of is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat is more crucial for your child's safety. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital showed that 95% of parents made at least one mistake when installing or altering their car seat.

It's a good idea to take a few minutes to get familiar with the proper car seat usage guidelines before your baby arrives. We recommend that you choose a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so that it is easy to carry around your baby.

It is also important to verify that the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the size requirements for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your own ability to install and use the car seat properly take it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) for an interactive session prior to the time your baby's birth.

Convenience

Some infant car seats best car seats have additional features that make them easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they could have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it simpler to set up and remove the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care.

It is also important to think about the weight and height limits for the infant car seat. If you have a child who is growing rapidly, it may be worth the cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits to utilize it for as long as is possible.

Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Choose padded straps that won't rub or pinch their shoulders, and a soft fabric that is soft underneath them for long periods of time. Select a seat with the ability to lie flat. This allows your child to sit upright position, which helps to keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns you that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, because they haven't been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. You should also avoid purchasing used car seats for infants, because they could be involved in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

While the best infant car seats can cost between $100 and $600, there are a few features that all of the top options have in common. They're all lightweight, simple to set up and remove, and comfortable for babies. Some models have additional features that make them even more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip onto strollers with no need for adapters. Check out our review of the best infant car seats for more information about the various options on the market.

Comfort

The top infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easy to get the baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that eliminates the need to hold both straps simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to think about how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, after all and a lighter weight is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight limit and height of infant car seats are also important. If you are planning to keep the car seat, choose one that will adapt to your child's needs and accommodate them into the stage of toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for longer and save money on a new car seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be a boon for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter may be helpful when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or require driving with three children in the back seat at some time. If you are planning to use your car seat with strollers, you should look for one that has detachable car seats and is compatible with the majority of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement.

Examine the rating of a car seat for ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color-coded markings--can help reduce stress on the new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing pieces that are located under the seat or on the base that extend to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the impact force in a crash.

There are also some accessories that claim to increase the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any device not sold with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or vetted for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything in your car seat, such as an accessory like a blanket or harness that you purchased elsewhere.

Style

For new parents, figuring out how to select the best infant car seat can be a bit of an issue. It is important to determine the budget you have set and the features you'd like to have. There are many options in terms of special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics but a lot comes down to what's comfortable for baby.

For instance it's worth noting that infant-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some may include crash-tested extension kits to make them last longer). They also have more recline modes to ensure proper positioning for small children and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to work with a travel system, which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can serve two purposes.

Car seat weight and width are important factors to consider for most families. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car, or for use alongside siblings seats. Some are also enough weighty to test your biceps by lifting and transfer from stroller to car.

Many parents prefer baby car seats that can be converted from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller without needing any additional attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially during busy times when you're out running errands with your kids.

Other convenient features include the magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from settling into the seat or carrier when they fall asleep.

Most car seats use flexible straps for the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This type of installation is more secure and reduces the amount of movement a car seat can move during the event of a crash.