What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

When it comes to choosing a car seat, parents have two options of infant car seats or convertible seats. Car seats for infants are only suitable for rear-facing use which means they have a shorter lifespan.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to create a traveling system. Parents can easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disrupting their sleep.

Safety

Many parents are concerned about the safety of an infant carrier seat, particularly when they buy one for their first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was designed to protect your child as safely as it is possible in the event of a collision. Most of the time they are placed with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best car seats for infants choice for infants at the greatest chance of being injured in a vehicle crash.

They also have additional padding for added head protection and lower anchors that secure the seat to your vehicle's chassis to stop it from moving in a collision. This is particularly important with infants with large heads and necks that are susceptible to injury from the force of a crash or sudden stop. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, forming a travel system that lets you effortlessly transfer your child from your car to your stroller, without disturbing them.

The majority of infant car seats come with a base which can be used in other vehicles. This lets you take your child wherever you go. This is great for those who use taxis or ride-sharing services frequently. It can also make traveling with an infant on planes much easier.

Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that do not have an element of base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who wish to help with the transportation of your child.

It's important to remember, too, that an infant carrier is not meant to be left alone on a surface that is soft. Infants can tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even death. It is crucial to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new area.

Portability

Many infant car seats come as part of a "travel system" that is made up of the car seat base and the frame of the stroller. They connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for babies since they allow parents to transfer their baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa without needing to wake them up. This alone is the main reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents register for an infant seat!

Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a great option to consider when you're considering using taxi or ride share service, since most of these services require that a child be in car seats.

Infant car seats are generally smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families that like to be active. Furthermore, certain models of infant car seats come with the option of a handle that parents can use to carry the seat around on their own. This is especially useful for those planning a trip you don't want to wake up your sleeping baby for.

Infant car seats last until your child is an adult and has outgrown the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing infant car seat, and later transformed into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These seats are an excellent choice when you are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as is possible. There is a convertible car seat that converts into a high-back booster seat when your child outgrows its harness (or exceeds the limit on weight and height). Be sure to search for this when you browse the options!

Easy to Use

An infant car seat is a rear-facing car seat which clicks into a base installed in your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and newborns secure until they reach the weight and height requirements of a booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.

Look for an infant seat that is a detachable carrier it can be attached to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will allow you to quickly get your child in and out of the car, especially when their nap is about to expire or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's also important to check the slots on the shoulder straps and position them properly to fit your child's height. 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 dangerous.

Certain infant car seat for travel car seats have lower anchors which can be used with or without the base. This is ideal for taxi rides or traveling via plane. It's important to check that the lower anchors have a European routing path and are easy to set up and remove and we're looking for an audible click when the seat is securely secured. It is also beneficial to find a seat that has an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.

Convertible car seats are the next step following an infant carrier. They can be used until your child meets the height or weight requirements for a booster. They can be used in combination with a stroller but they don't provide the convenience or fit for a newborn car seat insert of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically bigger and more difficult to transport which makes them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children around busy areas.

Installation

Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats is difficult. It is crucial to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. A few factors that could affect this include the position of the seat, the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.

The majority of infant car seats can be attached to a base in the vehicle. This is commonly called a "travel system". These seats are made for rear-facing use, which is safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have an indicator of angle built-in that you can use to check if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could include an adjustable angle.

It is also important to determine if the seat can adjust the shoulders' height without having to unthread and rethread them. This can be a significant time saver, as it will likely need to be done multiple times during the course of the use of a car seat for infants.

Finally, some cars come with hard points in the back seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between cushion back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks ought to snap into place easily as they are made specifically for the seat. They could also make an audible sound when they are connected securely.

It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure that it works for your family. If the car seat does not click into the base or your child isn't at ease, it's time to consider a different option.

Some car seats are capable of being installed without the base. This is helpful for those who use taxi or public transportation services such as Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer on how to remove and install the car seat without base, but most will permit you to do this with the simple press of the lever or button. Many will provide the "click" to signal that you're safe.