How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents should have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat better than the other?

A specially designed infant seat is the best option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs or head/body cushions.

Safety

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

While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all car seats are created equal. Some seats have features specifically designed to protect infants. For example, load legs reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing impact forces onto the base and car seat. Other features include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to provide the perfect fit for babies. They typically come with crash-tested inserts, which can help achieve this. They're also lighter than convertible car seats and can easily be converted to a stroller. This makes them suitable for drop-offs at daycares, rides and pickups. Since they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life it's possible to purchase an used one at less than the price.

A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are important however the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. In fact, a study by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95 percent of parents have made at least one critical error when installing or putting in their car seat.

It is important to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby arrives with the correct car seat guidelines. We suggest you look for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to be able to carry your baby in it, and comes with easy-to-use adjustments.

Make sure that the infant car seat you're thinking about purchasing meets the vehicle's size requirements. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat correctly take it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive a hands-on tutorial before your baby is born.

Convenience

Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it simpler to use. Certain forward facing infant car seat car seats come with features that make them easier to use. For instance, they could have a base into which the seat can be pushed in and out, or they might include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it more convenient to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have a child to look after.

The weight and height limits of a baby car seat are other important aspects to take into account. If your child is growing rapidly it may be worth investing in a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to use it for as long as you'd like.

In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat should also be comfortable. Look for cushioned straps that don't squeeze or rub their shoulders, and a soft fabric that feels soft under them for extended durations. Select a seat that is in a lie-flat position. This allows your baby to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura advises that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seat that swivels car seats that aren't included in the seat since they are not tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. You should also avoid purchasing used infant car seat swivel car seats, since they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out.

While the best infant car seats can cost anywhere from $100 to $600 There are a few characteristics that all the top picks have in common. They're all lightweight, easy to set up and remove, and comfortable for babies. Some even have special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to swivel and clip into strollers without the need for adapters. For more details on the various choices available, read our list of the top infant car seats.

Comfort

The top infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it with no base, a lighter one is preferable. The Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a long time, look for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby and fit them into toddlerhood. This way, you'll be able to use it for longer and save money on a second car seat.

You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be beneficial for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter could be beneficial if you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you plan to use your car seat with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna provide options that satisfy this requirement.

To make it easier to use, look up the rating that a car seat gets for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color-coded markings--can assist in easing the burden on parents who are new. Some seats also have unique features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing pieces located beneath the seat or base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force in a crash.

You'll also find some accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience, but remember that any device not sold with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. Segura recommends that you don't put anything in your car seat, including an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought from a different source.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to choose the best infant car seat is a bit of a puzzle. It's important that you understand your budget and what features you want. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.

For example it's worth noting that infant seats designed specifically for babies fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some might have extensions that have been tested for crash to help them last longer). They tend to come with more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents who are 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 families with a large number of children. Certain infant car seats, for instance, are narrower to fit better in the back of your vehicle or close to other seats. Some are heavy enough to test your biceps strength and transfer from stroller to car.

In terms of convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats that have the ability to go from base to carrier and then click into a stroller, without the need for additional attachments. This will save you lots of time, especially during busy times when you have to run errands.

Other useful features include a harness that is not rethread, magnetic buckle holders and a streamlined installation process. Also, look for an arm and head support insert, which can assist infants in avoiding slumping in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.

Certain car seats come with rigid latches that open from the base when they are installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and reduces the amount that a seat can move in a crash.