How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. But what makes one better than another?
A special infant seat is the ideal option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience extras like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, look into security features like load legs and body cushions for the head and neck.
Safety
As every parent will tell you, selecting the most appropriate car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions you could make. The correct seat will ensure that your child is placed correctly and adequately protected in case of a crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Certain seats come with features that are specifically designed to protect infants. For example load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces on the car seat's base. Some include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit small babies most comfortably and usually include extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. You can purchase used ones at less than the cost because they're only good for the first 12 months.
Another factor to consider is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are crucial, the way you use your car seat is more crucial for your child's safety. In fact, a study by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at least one serious error when installing or putting in their car seat.
This is why it's a great idea to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the proper car seat usage guidelines before your baby arrives. We recommend looking for car seats that have clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to easily carry with your child in it and that has easy-to-use adjustments.
You should also see whether the car seat for infants you're considering meets the size requirements for your vehicle. If you're worried about your capability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands on demonstration.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have extra features that make it easier to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them easier to use. For instance, they may include a base that the seat can be pushed into and out, or they may have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it simpler to install and remove the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care.
It is also important to consider the limits on height and weight for the infant car seat. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it might be worth the cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits so that you can keep it in use for as long as possible.
In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Choose padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for soft fabrics that feel comfy underneath them. Select a seat with the ability to lie flat. This allows your child to ride in an upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing anything that is not included in the seat, as it has not been crash tested and could be unsafe. Also, avoid buying used car seats for infants, as they may have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out.
The best infant car seats cost between $100 and $600. However, they all share certain characteristics. They're all light, easy to set up and remove, and comfortable for babies. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers, without the need for additional adapters. For more information on the various options available, take a look at our comparison of best infant car seats.
Comfort
The best infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to take into consideration how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base for instance so a lighter model is better. The Baby Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
The weight limit and height of the infant car seats are important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a long time you should look for one that will expand with your child and fit them into toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.
You should also consider the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The first is a good option for smaller vehicles. The second could be beneficial if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, select one that is compatible with the most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.
For ease of use, look up the ratings that a car seat gets for installation. Clear guides and indicators, such as bubble levels or color-coding, that indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level, can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components found under the seat or on the base which extend to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the impact force in a crash.
There are also a few accessories that claim to enhance the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any device not sold with the car seat hasn't yet been tested or approved for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't place anything in your car seat, including an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought elsewhere.
Style
It can be difficult for new parents to figure out the best infant car seats. It is important to determine the budget you have set and the features that you'd like to have. There are a lot of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics but a lot comes down to what's comfortable for baby.
For instance it's important to note that infant seats designed specifically for babies fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some might include extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to ensure they last longer). They also tend to offer more recline options to allow proper positioning of 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 is beneficial for new parents trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that will do double duty.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial elements for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, for example, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your car or close to other seats. Some are also enough weighty to test your biceps by lifting and move from stroller to car.
When it comes to convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats that have the ability to go from base to carrier and then snap into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This will save you lots of time, particularly during busy times when you are running the errands.
Other features that are useful include a harness that is not rethread, magnetic buckle holders and a streamlined installation process. Look for a head-and-body support insert to stop infants from collapsing into the carrier or seat when they fall asleep.
car seats newborn Pushchairs And Prams have flexible straps for their lower anchor connectors, however, some have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green once installed. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount a seat moves during an accident.