How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?

A specially designed infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, like premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, think about safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, choosing the best car seats for newborns car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions that you could make. The best seat will make sure that your child is placed properly and is adequately secured in the event of a 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 car seats are created equal. Some models have features that are specifically designed to protect infants. For instance load legs help reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing impact forces on the car seat and base. Some include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit small babies most comfortably and usually include extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. You can buy a used one at a fraction of the price as they're only used for your baby's first 12 months.

Another thing to be aware of is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are crucial but the method you use your car seat is more crucial to your child's safety. In fact, a study done by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at the very least one crucial error when installing or putting in their car seat.

It is important to familiarize yourself before your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the appropriate guidelines for car seats. We suggest that you select a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around your baby.

It is also important to determine if the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the size requirements for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly by yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born for a hands on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seats include additional features that make it easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they may have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have a child to attend to.

It is also crucial to take into consideration the weight and height limits for the infant car seat swivel car seat. If you have a child who is growing quickly, it may be worth the cost to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you use it for as long as possible.

In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat must also be comfortable. Choose padded straps that won't rub or pinch their shoulders and soft fabric that feels cozy under them for extended durations of time. Select a seat that is in the ability to lie flat. This allows your child to sit in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways 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, since they are not tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. Avoid buying used car seats for infants as they could have been involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn.

The best infant car seats cost from $100 to more than $600. However they all share some features. All are lightweight easy to put in and take down, and are comfortable for the infant car seat rear facing. Some models have additional features that make them more versatile. For instance they can swivel, or clip into strollers with no need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the best car seat for newborn infant car seats to get more information about the various choices available.

Comfort

The top infant car seats have comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to grip both sides of the strap simultaneously, as well as 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 one is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight limit and height of infant car seats are also important. If you intend to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for one that will adapt to your baby's needs and will fit them well into toddlerhood. Then, you'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is narrower or wider than other models. The first one is useful for smaller vehicles. 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're planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with removable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that will meet your needs.

Review the rating of a car seat to determine its ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color codes--can aid in reducing stress on the new parents. Certain seats come with innovative features, like load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or beneath the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb the force of impact in the event of a crash.

There are also some accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and ease of use, but remember that any product not included in conjunction with the car seat for newborn seat hasn't yet been tested or approved for safety. "Anything you buy that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents trying to figure out how to choose the best infant car seat can be quite an issue. It's crucial to know your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics but a lot is based on what's comfortable for babies.

It is important to remember that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and can only be used up to the age of one year. Some have extended kits that have been tested in a crash which can help them last longer. They also have more recline modes to allow proper positioning of smaller children and are generally lighter, making it easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which is beneficial for parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can serve two purposes.

Another important thing to remember is that car seat width and weight are important elements 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 of your car, or for use alongside siblings' seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps as you lift them and then 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 transform into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This will help you save a lot of time, particularly on days when you are running errands.

Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread, magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Lastly, look for an arm and head support insert, which will assist infants in avoiding slumping in the carrier or seat in the event of a nap.

Some car seats have rigid latches that open from the base when installed correctly. This type of installation is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat moves in the event of an accident.