How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one superior to another?
A dedicated infant seat fits small babies best, and is lighter for easy transport outside the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, look into security features like load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As every parent will tell you, selecting the right car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The correct seat will ensure they’re positioned properly in the car and ensure they’re protected in the event of an accident.
Not all car seats are equal. While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, like load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base and others have built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your baby.
Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to provide the perfect fit for babies. They typically have crash-tested inserts which help to achieve this. They’re also lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily converted to a stroller. This makes them perfect for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs and pickups. And because they’ll only last for the first year of your baby’s life and beyond, you can always purchase an older model for only a fraction of the cost.
A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are important however, the method you use to install your child’s car seat is more important. In fact, a study conducted by Portland’s most prestigious children’s hospital discovered that 95% of parents made at the very least one crucial error when installing or putting in their Shop Kinderkraft I-360 I-SIZE Car Seat – Black seat.
It’s a good idea to spend a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend you pick a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough that it is easy to carry around with your baby.
It is also important to see whether the car seat for infants you’re considering fits the size requirements for your vehicle. If you’re concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born for a hands on tutorial.
Convenience
Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more user-friendly. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they may include a base that the seat can be pushed in and out, or they may feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features make it more convenient to install and detach the car seat, especially when you have a child to look after.
The weight and height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your child is growing rapidly it could be worth purchasing a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to use it for as long as you’d like.
Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find padded straps that won’t rub or pinch their shoulders and soft fabric that feels cozy beneath them for extended durations of time. It’s also an excellent idea to select the seat with a lie-flat mode, which allows your newborn to ride in a more reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen levels Nania Easyfix High Back Booster Seat – France-Made.
There are many accessories available for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura warns against buying anything that is not included in the seat, as it hasn’t been tested for crash and could be dangerous. Avoid buying a used infant car seats because they might be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
The top infant car seats cost from $100 to more than $600. However they all have a few characteristics. They’re all lightweight, simple to put in and take off and comfortable for infants. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile such as the ability to swivel and clip into strollers without the need for adapters. For more information on the various options available, take a look at our list of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
The top infant car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. The best infant car seats come with a single-handed clasp system which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at the same time. They also have padding that is cushioned to make it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you’ll want to consider how much weight the seat weighs. You’ll be using it without a base, in the end so a lighter model is the best. This Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less that 13 pounds.
The weight and height limits of the infant car seats are important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a period of time choose one that will grow with your Nania BEONE Baby Car Seat – Group 0+ Silver – Pushchairs and Prams and will fit them well into the toddler years. You’ll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.
You should also consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The first is a good option for smaller vehicles. The second may be useful if you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers and has removable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that satisfy your requirements.
Check the rating of a car seat to determine its ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened–like bubble levels or color-coded markings–can help reduce stress on new parents. Some seats also have unique features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing parts that are located under the seat or base that extend out to the vehicle floor and absorb some of the force of a crash.
There are also a few accessories that claim to increase your car seat’s comfort and ease of use, but remember that any product not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn’t been tested or vetted for safety. Segura suggests that you don’t put anything else in your car seat, including a blanket or harness you purchased elsewhere.
Style
It can be difficult for parents with young children to determine the best infant car seats. It’s essential to know your budget and the features you’d like to have. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. But it all comes down to comfort.
It is important to know that convertible car seats aren’t suitable for babies and can only be used up to the age of one year. Some even include extension kits that have been tested for safety which can help them last longer. They usually come with more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to perform double duty.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial factors for most families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others for a better fit in the back of your vehicle or to be used in conjunction with siblings’ seats. Others are heavy enough to test your biceps by lifting and transfer from stroller to car.
Many parents opt for an infant car seat that can be converted from base to carrier, and then transform into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This can save you a lot of time, particularly on busy days where you are running errands.
Other useful features include the magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from slumping into the seat or in the car as they sleep.
Most car seats have flexible straps for their lower anchor connectors however some have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This type of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat can move during an accident.
