How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for a car seat that can develop with your child think about an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into the high-back and backless booster.

It also scores highly in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are another beneficial feature. These are shock-absorbing elements which are attached to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best, and so they generally come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is crucial since you will be required to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond the weight limit or height.

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. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and looking through safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash test data to provide to families.

Find features that will help your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features could make buckling up your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the safest seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.

The weight and the width of the car seat is also important. A lot of infant car seat for travel car seats are designed to be small enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car, while others can grow with your child, and move to an adult seat at the same time. If you plan to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that is installed with only the seat belt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative.

In general, you should buy the most safe seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers, the price can be higher.

The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be positioned with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. You should be able to set up and remove the seat with ease, especially if you switch it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top rated baby car seats; visit the next post, choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant car seats that swivel seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading.

The size and weight of an infant car seat best car seat can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are narrower than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings seats. While all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which could help keep your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it around town or between vehicles.

Some infant car seats have additional features to make them more adaptable. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Some models come with premium features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional safety in the case of an accident. These features aren't essential for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable car seat for their infant. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and has an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide easy one-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the variety of features available makes it difficult to decide what's most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors such as weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your baby. Consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base because not all seats will fit in every vehicle.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten, and whether there's 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 for those who frequently use taxis or plan on changing cars often. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed properly.

Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that grows with the baby, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers also noted the fact that a seat can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is an additional bonus.

The Doona is an infant car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants scored it highly in every category. For instance, it's certified for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also transforms directly into strollers (no need for separate stroller adapters). The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.