How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one superior to another?

A specially designed infant car seats that swivel seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Consider convenience features such as premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, consider safety features like load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you that choosing the best car seats infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll make for your child. The right seat will ensure that your child is in a position correctly and properly protected in the event in the event of a car crash.

Not all car seats are created equal. While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Some have special features designed to safeguard infants, such as load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the base and car seat and others have built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit babies at their most comfortably and usually include extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers, making them ideal for ride shares and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. And because they'll only last through the first year of your baby's life and beyond, you can always purchase a second-hand one for a fraction of the cost.

Another point to consider is that while a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat is even more critical for your child's safety. In fact, a study done by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95 percent of parents have made at the very least one crucial error when installing or putting in their car seat.

It's essential to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby is born with correct car seat guidelines. We recommend you pick a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around with your baby.

Make sure that the infant car seat you are considering fits the vehicle's size requirements. If you're concerned about your capability to install and operate the car seat properly by yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have extra features that make them easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat can be clicked into and out of, or they might have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it simpler to remove and install the car seat - especially if there is another child in your care.

The weight and height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into consideration. If your child is growing quickly, it might be worth purchasing a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you want.

Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Choose padded straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels comfy beneath them. Select a seat that is in the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura advises that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat because they haven't been tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. Avoid buying a used car seats for infants because they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

While the best infant car seat infant car seats range between $100 and $600 There are a few features that the top choices have in common. All are lightweight, easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the infant. Some have features that make them more versatile such as the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Check out our comparison of the best infant car seats for more information on the various options on the market.

Comfort

Top infant car seats are equipped with features for comfort that allow you to easily take your child into and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to grip both sides of the strap at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to take into consideration how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base after all, so a lighter one is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

The height and weight limit of the infant car seats are important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a long time, look for an infant car seat that will adapt to your baby's needs and will fit them well into the toddler years. Then, you'll be capable of using it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and if it's smaller or larger than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second could be helpful when you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you are planning to use the car seat along with a stroller, look for one that can be detached from car seats that are compatible with most popular strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna provide options that satisfy this need.

Review the rating of a car seat for ease of use. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened - like bubble levels or color codes--can help reduce stress on parents who are new. Some seats come with unique features, like load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the seat base or beneath the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb some impact force during a crash.

You'll also find some accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience, but remember that any product not included with the car seat hasn't been tested or vetted for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything else in your car seat, such as an accessory like a blanket or harness that you purchased elsewhere.

Style

For parents who are new, figuring out how to select the most suitable infant car seat can be quite an exercise. It's crucial to know the budget you have set and the features you're looking for. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and even fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.

It is important to know that convertible car seats are not as suitable for small babies and can only be used up to the age of one year. Some have extension kits that have been tested for safety, which will help them last longer. They also tend to include more recline settings to ensure proper positioning for smaller children, and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are important factors to consider for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, for example are narrower and can fit better in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are also heavy enough to test your biceps by lifting and move from stroller to car.

In terms of convenience, many parents prefer infant car seats with the ability to go from base to carrier and then snap into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This can save a lot of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands with your kids.

Other convenient features include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic, a no-rethread strap, and a simple installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from settling into the seat or carrier as they sleep.

Certain car seats come with rigid latches which flip out from the base when installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves during a crash.