How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?
A dedicated infant seat fits small babies best, and is lighter for easier transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience features like premium connectors for lower anchors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, think about security features like load legs and body/head cushions.
Safety
As any parent knows that choosing the best car seat is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make for your child. The right seat will ensure that they’re placed properly in the car and that they’re adequately protected in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. Although every seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Certain seats come with features designed to safeguard infants. For instance load legs help prevent movement in crashes by absorbing impact forces on the car seat’s base. Other features include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Choi says that infant car seats are designed to fit babies the best car seats infant. They usually have crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. They’re also lighter than a convertible car seat and can easily be converted to a stroller. This makes them suitable for daycare drop-offs, ride-shares and pickups. They’re also durable. for the first year of your baby’s life and beyond, you can always purchase a second-hand one for less than the price.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are crucial however, the method you use your car seat is even more crucial to the safety of your child. A study conducted by Portland’s top children’s hospital revealed that 95% parents made at least one mistake when installing or altering their car seat.
This is why it’s a great idea to spend a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We suggest looking for car seats that have clear and concise instructions, is light enough to easily carry with your child in it and has simple adjustment mechanisms.
You should also check to verify that the infant car seats best car seat you’re considering fits the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you’re concerned about your capability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born to receive a hands-on instruction.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have additional features that make it simpler to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they might have a base on which the seat can be clicked in and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it easier to set up and remove the car seat – particularly in the event that you have a child in your care.
It is also important to think about the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly it might be worth the extra cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you utilize it for as long as possible.
In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Find comfortable straps that don’t rub or pinch their shoulders and soft fabric that feels cozy beneath them for extended periods of time. Choose a seat that has a lie-flat position. This allows your baby to sit upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are a number of accessories for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura cautions against buying items that are not included in the seat, as it has not been tested for crash and could be unsafe. Avoid buying a used infant car seat because they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to over $600. However they all have some features. They’re all lightweight, simple to put in and take off and comfortable for infants. Some models have additional features that make them even more adaptable. For example they can swivel, or clip into strollers with no need for adapters. For more details on the different choices available, read our comparison of best infant car seats.
Comfort
The top infant car seats best car seats come with comfort features that make it easier to get your baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both sides of the strap at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you’ll want to take into consideration how much the seat weighs–you’ll be using it without a base, for instance and a lighter weight is the best infant carrier car seat. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a period of time you should look for one that will adapt to your baby’s needs and will allow them to transition into the toddler years. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not buying a second seat.
You should also consider the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be a boon for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter may be helpful if you have two kids in car seats that are back-to-back or need to drive with three children in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you are planning to use a car seat along with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with removable seats. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement.
Examine the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Clear guides and indicators, like bubble levels or color-coding, that indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level can ease stress for new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components that are located under the seat or at the base that extend out to the vehicle floor and absorb some of the impact force of a crash.
There are accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. Be aware that anything that’s not included in the seat hasn’t passed safety testing. “Anything you buy that’s not from the manufacturer, even the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat,” Segura says.
Style
It can be difficult for new parents to figure out the best infant car seats. It is important to determine what your budget is and the features you’d like to have. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.
For example it’s worth noting that infant-specific seats fit small babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some might come with extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to ensure they last longer). They tend to come with more recline options to ensure the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can perform double duty.
Another important thing to remember is that car seat size and weight are key elements for families with a large number of children. Certain infant car seats, for example are narrower, which allows them to fit better in the back of your vehicle or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents choose an infant car seat that can be transformed from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller, without any extra attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially during busy times when you’re running errands with your children.
Other features that are useful include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic and a strap that is not rethread, and a simplified installation process. Also, look for an arm and head support insert, which will help prevent infants from slumping in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.
Most car seats use flexible straps to secure the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green once installed. This kind of installation is more secure and restricts the amount of movement a car seat can move in the event of a crash.