How to Choose the best car seats for infants Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for an automobile seat that will grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to be converted into the high-back and backless booster.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also a plus. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the base or car seats and reduce movement during a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle often. Car seats for infants have the advantage of being built to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height in the same way that convertible car seats can.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. You should consider reading reviews from other parents as well as checking out car seat safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to provide to families.

You will also want to look into whether a seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features could make buckling your baby quicker and easier however, you must remember that even the most secure seats will be useless in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.

Other things to keep in mind are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Others can be able to grow with your child and can be converted to a booster simultaneously. If you plan to use your car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat which can be put in place using only your vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.

In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car Seat car seats for infants are those that can fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as turn the seat around when it is not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that grows with them until they reach 90 percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go above and beyond to include additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40%. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important considerations when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't need rethreading.

The size and weight of a car seat for infants can also impact the comfort of your child, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower, making it easier to fit in the backseat with other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight restrictions, some are lighter than others--which could help keep your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more flexible including rotating options or the ability to click into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include top-quality features like an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of an accident. These features aren't essential for a safe ride however they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their child. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.

Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator that lets you know that the seat is securely attached. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle make simple one-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and convenience as their primary objectives. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to decide which one is the best car seats for infants fit for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar, and no-rethread straps may increase the price of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Look for features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, because not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to tighten and loosen, and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base, which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or if you are planning to switch cars frequently. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed properly.

Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and the canopy that expands and secures into place. Our product testers have observed that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby seat has finished using it is an advantage.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers have rated it as top across every category. For instance, it's approved for use on planes, and has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and converts directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.