How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you'd like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat to develop with your child then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an advantage. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are made to fit small babies the best, which is why they generally have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car or set onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is vital because you'll probably need to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing information to share with families.
Find features that will benefit your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features can help you buckle your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats are useless in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.
The weight and width of the car seat are also important. A lot of infant seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can be able to grow with your child and can be converted to a booster at the same time. Also, if you plan to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great option.
In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. 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 most suitable infant car seats are ones that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. They may cost more if they are convertible and are used as a toddler and infant seat.
Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the infant out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it, and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. infant car seats best of thumb is to choose a seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has load legs, which can help stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces the force on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth the extra money spent on a car seat with added safety and convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones are made of large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings' seats. Although all models have height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This could save your biceps from aching when you carry it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more versatile, such as rotating options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Other models have top features such as an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for a safe ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking clean.
Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that tells you that it's attached correctly to the base. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide easy, one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of babies. You might also consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to pay attention to dimensions and base weight, as not all seats will fit in every vehicle.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, could influence this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy to tighten and loosen, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which is a great option for those who frequently use taxis or if you plan on changing cars often. Find models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly.
Some features may be worth the extra expense like a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature and a canopy that extends and locks in place. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby is no longer using it is a nice benefit.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our testers have rated it as top across all categories. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.