How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an advantage. Other helpful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base of the car seat that limit the impact of a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will need to transport your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also offer the benefit of being built to last for the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent however it's a good infant car seats idea to do your own research prior to purchasing. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

Find features that will be useful to your family. These include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These types of features can help you buckle your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest seats can be a waste if you don't use them in a proper manner.

Other things to keep in mind are the width and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be small enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child and transition to a booster seat at the same time. If you are planning to use your car seat to travel or take taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.

In general it's best car seat for newborn uk to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, because the most affordable models do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle and are simple to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. If they're convertible and are intended for toddlers and infants The price could be higher.

The convenience features include the ability to be positioned using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.

You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good guideline is to select a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats that have convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important considerations when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as plenty of 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 weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect the comfort, especially if it is being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings' seats. While they all have weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you carry it between cars.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features to make them more adaptable. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of an accident. While these extra features aren't necessary for a safe ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and also an indicator that lets you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator indicate that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the variety of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of babies. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child into and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats can be used in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is convenient for those who plan to switch taxis or cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and built-in locking mechanisms.

Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that increases with the infant, a five-position recline and an extended canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have also noticed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the infant is done using it is an advantage.

Doona is an infant car seat that will pamper parents. It has many features that solve almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks all over the range. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.