How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents should have car seats. But what makes one superior to another?

A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easier transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options such as premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, think about safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows choosing the correct car seat is among the most important decisions you'll make for your child. The best car seats seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and adequately protected in case of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must conform to strict standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) However, not all car seats are created equally. Certain seats come with features specifically designed to protect infants. For example load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the car seat's base. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit tiny babies best, and typically include crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. You can purchase used ones at a fraction of the price, since they only last for your baby's first 12 months.

A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are essential, but the method you use to install the car seat of your child is more important. In fact, a study done by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents made at the very least one crucial mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

It's important to familiarize yourself before your baby is born with proper guidelines for car seats. We suggest looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to easily carry with your baby in it, and that has easy-to-use adjustments.

Check to see if the infant car seat you are considering fits the requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born to receive a hands-on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have additional features that make it simpler to use. For instance, they might have a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they could have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat - particularly when there is a child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of an infant car seat are also important to consider. If your child is growing quickly, it might be worthwhile to invest in a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you'd like.

Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Find padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for plush fabric which feels at ease under them. Select a seat with an upright position. This allows your baby to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, as they have not been crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid buying used car seats for infants because they may have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

The best car seat infant infant car seats cost between $100 and $600, there are a few things that all of the top options have in common. They're all light and easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the child. Some come with additional features that make them more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip into strollers with no need for adapters. Check out our comparison of the best car seat infant infant car seats to get more details on the different options on the market.

Comfort

The best car seat infant car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get the 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 easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is preferable. This Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight and height limits of infant car seats are also crucial. If you plan to keep the car seat, pick one that can expand with your child and accommodate them into the toddlerhood. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not buying another seat.

You'll also want to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it's smaller or wider than other models. This could be beneficial for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter may be helpful when you have two kids in car seats that are back-to-back or require driving with three children in the back seat at some point. If you plan to use the car seat in conjunction with a stroller, look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with the majority of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.

For ease of use, check out the ratings a car seat receives for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color-coded markings--can assist in easing the burden on new parents. Certain seats come with innovative features, like load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the base or under the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb the force of impact during a crash.

There are accessories that claim to enhance the convenience and comfort of your car seat. But remember that anything not included with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety testing. "Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, even an accessory like a harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents, figuring out how to select the best infant car seat can be a bit of an exercise. It's essential to understand your budget and what features you want. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and even fabrics. However, it all comes down to comfort.

It's important to note that convertible car seats are not as suitable for small babies and can only be used until the age of one year. Some have extension kits that have been tested for safety, which will help them last longer. They usually come with more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important factors to consider for families with a large number of children. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others for a better fit in the back seat of your car, or for use with siblings seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.

Many parents prefer baby car seats that can be converted from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller without any additional attachments. This can save you lots of time, especially on days when you need to complete errands.

Other features that are useful include a magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a simplified installation process. Find a head-and-body-support insert to prevent infants from settling into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep.

Some car seats feature rigid latches which flip out from the base when installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount that a seat can move during an accident.