How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you'd like from your car seat. "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can expand with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and is able to be converted into the high-back and backless booster.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an added benefit. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or in the car seat that reduce the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, so they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is important because you will be required to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle often. The infant car seat is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond the weight limit or height.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent but it's recommended to conduct your own research before buying. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing data to provide to families.

Find features that will be useful to your family. These include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These types of features can make buckling your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the safest of seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them properly.

Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat inserts for newborns seat. Many infant car seats cheap seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child, and move to a booster seat simultaneously. If you are planning to use your car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only your car's seatbelt is an ideal choice.

In general, you should buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seat car seats for infants (click here to read) are ones that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install and have convenient extras such as a built-in running stroller or a rotation feature. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. They can be more expensive when they're convertible and will be used as a toddler and infant car seat for travel seat.

The convenience features include the ability to be positioned with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without having to remove the baby from the seat. Installing and taking it off should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as turn the seat around when it is not in use. Before you buy an infant car seat, it's important to verify the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate other features, such as crash testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature comfortable, breathable fabrics and ample padding for the harness and headrest. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect comfort, especially if it is being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit in the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings seats. While they all have weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This could save you from sore biceps when you move it between cars.

Some infant car seats have extra features to allow them to be more flexible. For example, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their child. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go further to ensure that their customers enjoy a safe and comfortable experience. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby car seat safe and quiet and an indicator that informs you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and comfort as their primary objectives. However, the broad selection of features makes it difficult to choose which one is the best fit for your family. You'll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of your baby. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. Also, pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, can influence this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful if your plan is to change taxis or cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanisms.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that increases with the baby, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have noticed that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our product testers have rated it highly across the board. It's approved for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.