How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are a must-have for parents. But what makes one superior to another?

A dedicated infant seat is the best option for small babies. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, such as premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The right seat will ensure that they're in the right position properly in the car and ensure they're protected in the event of a crash.

Not all car seats are equal. Although every seat sold in the US is required to conform 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 protect infants. For example, load legs reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Other features include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats for infants are also designed to fit babies at their best, and typically include extra crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, according to Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare pickups and drop-offs. They're also durable. through your baby's first year and beyond, you can always purchase an used one at only a fraction of the cost.

A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are essential however the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95% of parents have made at least one error when installing or adjusting their car seat.

That's why it's a good infant car seats idea to spend a few minutes to get familiar with the correct car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We suggest you look for a car seat with clear and concise instructions, is lightweight baby car seat enough to be able to carry your baby in it, and has simple adjustments.

It is also important to see whether the infant car seat you're considering meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby car seat is born for a hands-on tutorial.

Convenience

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more user-friendly. For instance, they might come with a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they may feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat - especially in the event that you have a child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into account. If your child is growing rapidly it may be worth purchasing a car-seat with higher limits to ensure you can use it for as long as you want.

In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat must also be comfortable. Find cushioned straps that don't touch or squeeze their shoulders, and a soft fabric that is soft underneath them for long durations. Select a seat with a lie-flat position. This allows your child to ride in an upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are a number of accessories for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing items that are not included with the seat as it has not been tested in a crash and may be dangerous. Also, avoid purchasing used infant car seats because they could have been in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

While the top infant car seats on sale car seats cost anywhere from $100 to $600, there are a few features that the top choices have in common. They are all lightweight and easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the infant. Some even have special features that make them more adaptable, like the ability to pivot and clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. For more details on the different choices available, read our comparison of best infant car seats.

Comfort

The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that eliminates the need to hold both sides of the strap at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. Also, you should consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it without a base, a lighter one is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other factors to consider include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you are planning to keep the car seat, select one that will grow with your child and fit them into toddlerhood. Then, you'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

You'll also want to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it's smaller or wider than other models. The former can be an advantage for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter could be beneficial for families with two children in back-to-back car seats, or have to drive with three kids in the back seat at some time. If you're planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with detachable seats. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that satisfy your requirements.

Check the rating of a car seat to determine its ease of use. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color codes to indicate if the seat is secure and level can help relieve stress for parents who are new. Some seats also have innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing parts located beneath the seat or on the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force during a crash.

There are accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. Be aware that anything not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety tests. "Anything you buy that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

It can be a challenge for new parents to choose the right infant car seats. It's important that you know your budget and the features you'd like. There are a lot of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's comfortable for baby.

It is important to remember that convertible car seats aren't suitable for babies and can only be used until one year. Some even include extended kits that have been tested in a crash, which will help them last longer. They typically offer more recline options to ensure the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can perform double duty.

Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat size and weight are key factors for most families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others, allowing them to fit in the back of your car, or for use alongside siblings seats. Others are enough weighty to test your biceps by lifting and move from stroller to car.

Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be transformed from a base to a carrier and then click into a stroller, without any extra attachments. This can save a ton 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, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Find a head-and-body-support insert to stop infants from settling into the seat or carrier when they fall asleep.

Some car seats feature rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base if installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and may restrict the amount that a seat can move during an accident.