How to Choose the best car seats Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? “If you’re looking for a car seat that will grow with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be transformed into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limitation.
It also scores well for comfort and quality with soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached to the car seat base and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The dedicated infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don’t have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.
It’s a good idea, however, to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
It is also important to examine whether a seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, like a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn’t need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features can help you buckle your baby faster and easier, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats can be a waste when you don’t use them properly.
The weight and width of the car seat are also crucial. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your car While others can expand with your child and then transition to a booster seat at the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good alternative.
In general it’s a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, because the most affordable models do not meet the highest safety standards for crash protection. For example, it’s best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle They are also easy to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should also be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from about $180 to over $500. If they’re convertible and are intended for both infants and toddlers, the price can be higher.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be installed using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and taking it off is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be light and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.
You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you’re not using it, and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, be sure to verify the weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. As a rule, choose a 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 requirement, some manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also has a load leg, which can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. This feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it’s worth paying more for a car seat that’s secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don’t require rethreading.
The weight and pushchairsandprams size of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially in the event that you intend to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower making it easier to fit them in the backseat with other car seats or even siblings seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions Some are lighter. This will help you from having sore biceps when you carry it between cars.
Some infant car seats offer additional features that make them more versatile including rotational options or the capability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Some models are equipped with high-end features, such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren’t necessary for an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers’ experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator that lets you know when the seat is securely attached. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for simple one-handed adjustments.
Design
Manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and comfort as their primary objectives. However, the broad variety of features can make it difficult to decide which is best for your family. You’ll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could raise the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your infant. Consider features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of 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 one feature that is important. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they’re rigid or flexible. It is also important to determine 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 allow you to use the seat without a base which is useful if you take taxis often or if you are planning on switching cars often. Find models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense, such as the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature and a canopy that extends and locks in place. Our product testers have noted the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will pamper parents. It has many features that address almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our product testers gave it top marks all over the spectrum. It’s approved for travel on air, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.
