How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one better than another?

A dedicated infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter for easy transport outside the vehicle. Look for convenience extras like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one-button handles. Also, consider safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

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

Not all car seats are created equal. Although every 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, for instance, load legs that limit movement in crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the base of the car seat, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your baby.

Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to provide the perfect fit for babies. They usually include crash-tested inserts which help to achieve this. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. And because they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy an used one at less than the price.

A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are crucial, but the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95 percent of parents have made at least one critical error when installing or putting in their car seat.

It's important to familiarize yourself before your baby seat 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 must also be light enough it's easy to carry around with your baby.

It is also important to determine if the infant car seats on sale car seat you're considering meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly by yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born for a hands-on demonstration.

Convenience

Some infant car seats come with additional features that make it easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they might have a base into which the seat can be clicked into and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat, especially when there is a child in your care.

It is also essential to consider the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If your child is growing quickly, it might be worth investing in a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you'd like.

In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat should also be comfortable. Find cushioned straps that don't touch or squeeze their shoulders, and a soft fabric that feels cozy under them for extended durations of time. Select a seat that is in a lie-flat position. This allows your child to sit 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 since they are not crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid buying used car seats for infants because they might have been involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn.

While the top infant car seats can cost anywhere from $100 to $600 There are a few characteristics that all the top picks have in common. They're all light, easy to install and detach and comfortable for infants. Some come with additional features that make them even more adaptable. For example they can pivot or clip onto strollers without adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats for more information about the various choices available.

Comfort

The best infant car seats are equipped with features that provide comfort and make it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both sides of the strap at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. It is also important to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other factors to consider include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a period of time you should look for a model that can grow with your baby seat and fit them into toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for longer and save money on a new car seat.

You'll also want to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's narrower or larger than other models. The first can be useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second may be beneficial if you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you plan to use the car seat along with strollers, choose one that can be detached from car seats that are compatible with most popular strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.

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

There are also some accessories that claim to enhance the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but keep in mind that any product not included with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or vetted for safety. Segura recommends that you don't put anything in your car seat, including an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought from a different source.

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 you want. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics but a lot is based on what's comfortable for babies.

For instance it's important to note that dedicated infant seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some may include extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to help them last longer). They also tend to have more recline modes to allow proper positioning of small children and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which is beneficial for parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are important 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 to be used in conjunction with siblings' seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.

Many parents opt for an infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without any additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're running errands with your children.

Other convenient features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Look for a head-and-body support insert to prevent infants from slumping into the carrier or seat as they sleep.

The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps for the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green once installed. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount that a seat can move in an accident.