How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

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

A special infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter to facilitate transportation outside of the vehicle. Consider convenience features like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs and head and body cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows, choosing the right car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The correct seat will make sure that your child is in a position correctly and properly protected in case of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all seats are created equal. Certain models come with special features to protect infants, like load legs that reduce movement in crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your child.

Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit tiny babies most comfortably and usually include crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, says Choi. They're also lighter than convertible car seat and can easily be transformed into a stroller. This makes them perfect for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs and pickups. You can buy a used one at only a fraction of the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months.

Another factor to keep in mind is that while having a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are essential but the manner you use your car seat is more critical to your child's safety. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents made a mistake at least once when installing or adjusting their car seat.

It's essential to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the correct car seat guidelines. We recommend that you choose a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so it's easy to carry around with your baby.

Check to see if the infant car seat you're thinking about purchasing meets the vehicle's size requirements. And if you're worried about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly, consider taking it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) for an in-person tutorial prior to when the baby is born.

Convenience

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them easier to use. For example, they may have a base that the seat can be clicked into and out of, or they might come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat, especially when there is a child in your care.

The weight and height limits of an infant car seats newborn seat are also important to take into account. If your baby is growing quickly, it might be worth investing in a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to utilize it for as long as you want.

In addition to safety features, your child's car seat should also be comfortable. Choose padded straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders, and for soft fabric that feels comfortable underneath them. Select a seat with an upright position. This allows your baby to sit upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are many accessories for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura warns against buying anything that is not included in the seat because it has not been crash tested and could be dangerous. Avoid purchasing a used infant car seat because they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

The best infant car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However they all have some features. They are all lightweight easy to put in and remove, and are comfortable for the child. Some models have additional features that make them more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip onto strollers with no need for adapters. Check out our comparison of the best infant car seat infant car seats for more details on the different choices available.

Comfort

The best infant car seats are fitted with features that provide comfort and make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that removes the need to grasp both straps at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to think about how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base for instance and a lighter weight is better. This baby car seat Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other important aspects include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat, choose one that will adapt to your child's needs and allow them to transition into the toddlerhood. You'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it is wider or narrower 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 intend to use your car seat with strollers, choose 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 requirement.

For ease of use, look up the rating the car seat is given for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened - like bubble levels or color coding--can assist in easing the burden on parents who are new. Some seats have innovative features, like load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the seat base or under the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some impact force during a crash.

There are also a few accessories that claim to increase the comfort and ease of use, but remember that any device not sold with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. "Anything you purchase that's not from the manufacturer, even an accessory like a harness or blanket you shouldn't put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to select the best car seat for your infant is a bit of an issue. It is important to determine the budget you have set and the features that you want. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot depends on what's most comfortable for babies.

For example, it's worth noting that infant seats designed specifically for babies fit small babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some may come with extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to help them last longer). They usually offer more recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient 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 buying one seat that can perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important aspects to take into consideration for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, like, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are enough weighty to test your biceps by lifting and transfer from newborn car seat to stroller.

Many parents prefer baby car seats that can be transformed from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller without needing any extra attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're running errands with your kids.

Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread, magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Finally, you should look for a head and body support insert, which can assist infants in avoiding slumping in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.

Most car seats have flexible straps to secure the lower anchor connectors, however some come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green once installed. This kind of installation is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat moves during a crash.