best car seat newborn uk Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats comply with the federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love such as extra padding, a padded inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no need for rethreading.

We took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and price when choosing our top picks. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading on.

Safety

Every infant car seat on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs, a built-in rethreader, sides that hold the straps, and more. The more features a car seat has the better, according the experts I spoke with.

The more comfortable a car seat is for users it, the more likely parents are to use it properly and decrease their child's risk of injury in an accident. This is particularly important for an infant carrier seat seat, since it's only designed to last for an extremely short time. Choose a model that has bubble indicators and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to level the seat. Also, make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Other top features that some car seat manufacturers provide include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips for carrying the seat. These are wonderful but remember that the safety of your car seat is still only as secure as the car you're driving in. You can find tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your infant car seat and learn more about the vehicle's safety features.

When you're choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll only be in a position to use it for around 2 years, until your child is old enough to transition to an convertible car seat. Some families skip the infant car seat completely and choose to purchase convertible cars with a higher weight and height limit. When purchasing an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try several models before settling. You can then make sure that the seat is suitable for the child, fits in your vehicle and comes with useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product before you purchase it. It's the most crucial factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.

Simple to Use

Whether you'll be using the seat in one car or moving it between many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to set up and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and an operation that is seamless. Also, think about how it is easy to adjust the car seats newborn seat as baby grows, and the quality of the materials used.

One of the best features that infant seats include is a load leg, that acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and car's floor, providing additional stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if have an older car, because the chance of suffering a head injury is higher when the infant is sitting too close to the floor.

Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. These include a no rethread harness, as well as an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from bouncing in a crash. The latter has been proven by research to decrease the risk for head injuries by as much as 43%. The Evenflo LiteMax is a great option for those on a tight budget looking for an ARC-certified car seat and comes with a few premium features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat received an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extended canopy that has magnets to ensure complete coverage.

Another thing to look for is a seat that can be installed with just a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who are planning to use Uber or taxi rides because it eliminates the need to go back to the car each time to replace a seat. For example, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its counterpart TRIV travel system feature an extremely rigid LATCH system built right into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and easy to install in any vehicle. It can also be used rear facing infant car seat-facing (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. This is an excellent option if you're on a budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat, especially when they're there for a long time. This includes padded shoulder straps and soft fabric that feels snug against their stomachs or back and a growing headrest. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow as well.

A car seat with a variety of features can be more expensive but also easier to use. That's why we look at aspects like a single-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also consider the dimensions and weight, as a heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car or between cars.

A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash is an alternative. It's usually found in expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this extra safety measure.

The weight and height limits are also important. You'll want to ensure the seat will remain safe for your child after they reach their peak growth spurt, which is usually around age two or three. It's also worth considering convertible infant car seats that converts to an adult seat. This option gives you a bit more flexibility when you drive and is perfect for families who often switch vehicles or travel infant car seat.

Our testers were impressed with the Doona that combines the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one unit. It's a great option for parents who are constantly on the move, especially those who take public transportation to commute to work or to school. It's also simple to set up, and our expert testers appreciated the ease of using the latch with one hand and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also commented on how small the seat is, which is a must for those with a limited trunk space. It's also free of any flame retardant chemicals which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The best infant seats have features that make it simple to use. The most effective infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important features to look at is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it has a canopy that can be useful in the car and attached to a stroller.

A feature on the base can save you a great deal of time and headaches. It lets you know if it has been installed correctly. The line should be parallel to ground and is located on the base. This is particularly useful if you are going to change the car seat frequently, or when your child will be traveling with you and you need to install it in Ubers or taxis.

Another feature that is beneficial is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping bundle of joy from the car to the supermarket or out for errands without having to lug around a separate carrier. This is an essential feature for parents who are looking to return to normal after a long trip or a commute with a child.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, you should choose an infant car seat with a higher weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for a longer period of time.

All car seats sold in the United States must comply with the safety standards of the federal government however that doesn't mean that they are all equal. Some come with features that go beyond, including load legs that support the base of the car seat to provide extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of head injury in crashes. Certain additional features can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and you as a parent are happier and more confident.