How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you would like from your car seat. “If you are looking for a car seat to expand with your child, you should consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton advises. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limit.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is a plus. Other helpful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that reduce movement 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 take out of the car or set onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is vital considering you will likely have to transport your child in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means that you don’t need to worry about your child exceeding the weight limit or height.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent, but it is still an excellent idea to conduct your own research before buying. You might want to read reviews from other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
Look for features that will be useful to your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features could make buckling up your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the most secure seats can be a waste in the event that you don’t utilize them in a proper manner.
The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. Many infant seats are designed to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child and then transition to a booster seat simultaneously. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that is fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a great option.
In general it’s a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, since the cheapest models usually don’t meet the highest crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best car seat infant car seats for infants are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family, are simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to more than $500. If they’re convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants The price could be higher.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant from the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.
You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as rotate the seat when not in use. When you purchase an infant Nania Disney Minnie Car Seat for Groups seat, be sure to verify the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.
While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go above and beyond to offer additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It’s worth spending more on a car seat with added convenience features and safety.
Comfort
The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an infant car seat since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have large, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don’t require rethreading.
The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort especially if it’s intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower making it easier to place them in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings seats. While they all have height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you move it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats come with extra features to make them more adaptable. For example they can rotate or be converted into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Other models include top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars for extra safety in the case of an accident. While these extra features aren’t necessary for a safe ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Look for a model that’s machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to clean. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new.
Certain models go over and beyond to ensure their customers have the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and an indicator that informs you whether it’s securely attached to the base. The adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make simple one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the variety of features available makes it hard to determine what’s most suitable for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread 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 in and out of the seat, like rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats will fit in every car.
One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, will influence this. You should also 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 when you plan to change taxis or cars frequently. Make sure you choose a model equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed properly.
Certain features might be worth the extra expense for example, the headrest that grows with your Disney Minnie Child Booster Seat: Quality from France, a five-position recline feature, or the canopy that expands and is locked in the correct position. Our product testers have observed that a seat that can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby has finished using it is a benefit.
The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It’s loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our test participants scored it highly in every category. For instance, it’s certified for use on planes, and has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is outstanding and it’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
