What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when choosing a car seat for their infant carseats for infants and convertible car seats. Infant car seats offer the shortest time for use as they are only used rear-facing.
infant car seats best carriers can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are available separately). This creates an ideal travel system. This lets parents easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disrupting their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about how secure an infant carrier seat is, especially when they purchase one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your baby as safely as is possible in the event of a crash. They are usually placed in the rear, which makes them the best option for infants that are at highest risk of injury in an accident.
These seats also feature extra padding to provide additional head protection, as well as lower anchors to secure the seat to the chassis in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young babies with necks that are large and heads that could be easily injured by a sudden stop or crash. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a travel system that allows you to easily move your baby from your car to your stroller without disturbing them.
Most infant car seats also have a base that can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is particularly beneficial when you regularly use taxi or ride-sharing services as it makes traveling on planes with your child much more comfortable too.
Some models of infant carriers seats can be put on strollers that don’t have an element of base. This allows you to keep your child safe on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who want to assist you with transporting your child.
It is important to remember, too, that an infant car seat is not meant to be left unattended on a soft surface. Infants can tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even the possibility of suffocation. It is essential to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to be part of a travel system, a combination of car seat base and stroller frame that snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents to move their baby from the newborn car seat insert to a stroller without waking the baby up. This alone is a huge reason more than 80percent of Babylist parents register for a baby seat!
Many infant car seats work with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to easily take their baby out of the car and put them on the frame of a stroller to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is also an excellent feature to look for when you’re considering using taxi or ride share service, since most of these services require that a child be in a car seat.
In comparison to convertible car seats that must be kept in the vehicle baby car seats are typically smaller and lighter, making them a great choice for families on-the-go. Additionally, some brands of infant car seats come with an e-handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is particularly useful when you have a trip planned that you don’t wish to wake your baby!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants and later convert to a forward-facing seat for older children. These all-in-one car seats are a great choice if you are looking to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as possible. There is even seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this feature when looking through options!
Simple to Use
An infant car seat is a rear-facing car seat that can be connected to a base in your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers secure until they reach the weight and height requirements of the booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which will make it easy to transfer your baby from the car seat newborn to the stroller to continue your journey without disturbing their nap time.
Look for a baby seat that has a detachable carrier you can attach to the base of a stroller or a car. This will let you quickly move your baby in and out of the car, especially if their nap is about to expire or if they’re hungry, thirsty or bored. It’s also important to check the shoulder strap slots and ensure they are properly positioned for your child’s size. If the straps have been placed too high or low they are not able to be used correctly in a crash, and they could be risky.
Certain infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used without or with the base. This is great for taxi rides, or when traveling by plane. Make sure that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible “click” when the seat is secured properly. It’s also beneficial to locate a seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child is their weight or height requirements for a booster seat. They can be used combination with strollers however they do not offer the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats can be transformed into boosters. However they tend to be larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, are difficult to install. It is vital to install car seats by age seats safely and correctly. This is influenced by the position of your seat as well as the angle of base, and how you use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be attached to a base that is in the vehicle, which is often called a travel system. These seats are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. The majority of car seats have an angle indicator that can be used to determine whether the seat is at the right semi-reclined level for your child. The base might also come with an adjustor to change the angle.
It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to unthread and rethread them. This can be a significant time saver, as it will likely require multiple times during an infant’s car seat use.
Lastly, some cars have hard points on the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked into the crease that runs between the seat back cushion and the bottom cushion. The hooks will snap into place with ease since they are designed specifically for the seat. Once they are attached, you may hear a distinct noise.
It’s also a good idea to test the car seat with a child to be sure that it works for your family. If the car seat doesn’t click into the base or your child isn’t comfortable, it’s time for you to find another option.
Some car seats are equipped to be used without the base. This is a great option when you travel by taxi or public transportation such as Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without the base by pressing a lever or button. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. Many will provide the “click” to inform you when it’s secure.