How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for a car seat to grow with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat can be converted to a high-back booster or an unbackless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limitation.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Other features that are helpful include load legs that absorb shock on the base of the car seat that limit the impact of a crash.
Safety
They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car or set onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is vital because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also offer the benefit of being built to last for the first year of your child's life so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as quickly as convertible car seats can.
It's an excellent idea to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and reviewing safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to provide to families.
baby seat is also important to examine whether a seat has features that can be beneficial to your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed, a no-rethread harness or an adjustable foot with springs. These features help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats will not be useful if they are not used correctly.
The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. Many infant seats can be placed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some of them can be able to grow with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. If you intend to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that can be installed using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative.
In general it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, because the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best car seat for your infant is one that can work well in the car of your family, is easy to install and use, and includes convenient extras like the built-in stroller or rotating ability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price from around $180 to $500. They may cost more when they're convertible and are used as a toddler and infant seat.
Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant out of the seat. You want to be able to install and remove the seat with ease, especially if you switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.
You should also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, you need to verify its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that provides more than just good crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added convenience features and safety.
Comfort
Comfort is a major factor to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading.
The weight and size of a car seat for infants can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to change cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are more narrow than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat with another car seat or siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are lighter than others--which could help keep your biceps from getting sore when carrying it between vehicles.
Some infant car seats have additional features that make them more versatile. For instance, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Other models have top features such as an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for the safety of your ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.
Parents want their infants to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet, as well an indicator to let you know that the seat is securely attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable as well as harness tightener indicator indicate that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it hard to determine what's best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve comfort for baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, could influence this. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.
Certain models allow you to use the seat with no footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change taxis or cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is correctly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism.
Certain features might be worth the extra expense for example, the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and an extension canopy that is locked in place. Our product testers also noted that having a seat that can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is a nice benefit.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's got many features that address almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our product testers gave it top marks across the board. It's approved for travel on air 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.