How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Consider what you want from your car seat. “If you’re looking for a car seat that will grow with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and can be converted into an incline-back booster and a backless one.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an added benefit. Other features that are helpful include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best, and so they typically offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car seats by age or connect to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you will need to transport your child’s car seat out of the vehicle often. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last through your child’s first year, which means you don’t have to worry about them exceeding their weight or height as fast as the convertible car seat might.

It’s a good idea, however, to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing data to share with families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats can be dangerous in the event that they are not used in a proper manner.

Other factors to be aware of are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seat that swivels car seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child and then convert to a booster in the same time. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat which can be put in place using only your car’s seatbelt is an ideal choice.

In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Beware of models that don’t include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The ideal car seat for your infant is the one that will work well in the vehicle of your family and is easy to install and use, and includes useful features like an integrated stroller or a rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats can range in price from about $180 to more than $500. They can cost more if they are convertible and used as a toddler and infant seat.

The convenience features include the ability to be fitted using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and taking it off is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when not using it, and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to determine the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top rated Baby car seats pick by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. This alone could save the life of a child, so it’s worth paying more for car seats that are safe and has additional safety features.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when choosing an infant car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats are made of thick, breathable fabric and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don’t require the rethreading.

The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, particularly if you plan to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back seat with another car seat or siblings seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions certain models are lighter. This could save you from having sore biceps when you move it around town or between cars.

Some infant car seats offer additional features that make them more adaptable, such as rotating options or the ability to connect to a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Certain models include premium features such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren’t necessary for a safe ride but they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable infant car seats uk car seat for their baby. Look for a model that’s machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers’ experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as an indicator that tells you that it’s attached correctly to the base. The seat’s carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator indicate whether it’s securely attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the vast variety of features can make it difficult to determine which is best for your family. It is important to take into account factors such as weight and height limits as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat can be used 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. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Some models allow you to use the seat without a base which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or if you are planning on switching cars often. Make sure you choose a model with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed properly.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that increases with the baby or a recline with five positions, as well as an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is an additional benefit.

The Doona is an infant car seat that pampers parents. It’s got many features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our product testers have rated it highly all over the board. For instance, it’s approved for airplane travel, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and converts directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test results are impressive and it’s GREENGUARD Gold certified.