How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you are looking for an automobile seat that will grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and can convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.

It also scores well for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the car seat base and reduce movement during a crash.

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame which is important because you'll need to carry your child's car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are rigorous however it's a good idea to do your own research before buying. Consider reading reviews by other parents and reading 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.

You will also want to examine whether a seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, like a one-handed strap release and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features can help you buckle your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the safest seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.

Other things to keep in mind 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 Some can grow with your child and transition to an adult seat simultaneously. If you are planning 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 is recommended to buy the safest car seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the highest standards of crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are ones that fit inside your vehicle with your family They are also simple to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be light and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and move the seat when not in use. Before you buy an infant car seat, it's important to check its weight and height limitations. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant car seat newborn seat that offers more than just crash protection. It also has an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats that have safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have comfortable, breathable fabrics and ample padding in the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort especially if it's being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are tinier making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings' seats. While they all have weight and height restrictions, some are lighter. This could save you from sore biceps when you move it from one place to another or between cars.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more versatile. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Other models have top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars to add additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential to the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking new.

Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator that lets you know when the seat is securely attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the dizzying array of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase comfort for baby. Look for features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the newborn car seat insert seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, as not every seat will fit in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they are rigid or flexible. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base, which is a great option if you take taxis often or if you are planning on switching cars frequently. Look for models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the cheap infant car seats or a recline with five positions, as well as an extendable canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is a nice bonus.

Doona is an infant car seat that will pamper parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every issue families have with infant car seats that swivel car seats, which is why our product testers gave it top marks in all categories. It's approved for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.