How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you want from your car seat. "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can grow with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one.
It also scores well for comfort and quality thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or in the car seat that limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, so they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will be required to transport your child in the car seat out of the vehicle frequently. The infant car seats have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits as quickly as convertible car seats can.
It is a good idea to conduct some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides 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 benefit your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the safest seats can be dangerous when they aren't used properly.
The weight and width of the car seat are equally crucial. Many infant car seats can be installed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child and convert to an adult booster simultaneously. If you intend to use your 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 an ideal choice.
In general, it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, since the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash safety. For example, it's best to avoid models that don't include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants are ones that fit in the car of your family They are also simple to install, and come with useful extras like 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 are convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.
Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can swiftly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. It is also essential to verify the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90% percentile.
While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for a car seat that's secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, since babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones have thick, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need to be rethread.
The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially if it is intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from aching when you carry it between vehicles.
Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more adaptable including rotational options or the capability to connect to strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for extra safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their child. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Pushchairs And Prams can be cleaned using the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking new.
Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers get 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 also an indicator that lets you know when it's properly attached to the base. The adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide simple, one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the dizzying array of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. You'll need to take into consideration aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, like rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats can be used in all cars.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they are rigid or flexible. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy 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 with no footrest, which is a great option if your plan is to change cars or take taxis often. To ensure that your seat is properly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, or the canopy that expands and is locked in the position. Our product testers have also observed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby has finished using it is a benefit.
Doona is an infant car seat that will pamper parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our test participants gave it top marks across every category. For instance, it's approved for airplane travel, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and converts directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapters). Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.