What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seats parents have two choices: infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants offer an enticingly short time of use because they can only be used rear-facing.
Baby carrier seats are typically compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a travel system. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car into the stroller without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how safe an infant carrier seat is, particularly when they are buying one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to protect your child as safely as possible in a crash. Most of the time they are placed with the infant car seat travel facing to the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants at the highest danger of injury in a vehicle crash.
They also come with extra padding for additional head protection, and lower anchors to secure the seat to your vehicle’s chassis to stop it from moving in the event of a collision. This is particularly important with young infants, with large necks and heads that are easily injured by the force of a crash or sudden stop. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, forming a travel system that lets you easily move your baby from your car to the stroller without disturbing them.
The majority of infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you take your child wherever you go. This is great when you regularly take a taxi or ride-sharing service, and it can make traveling on planes with your infant much easier also.
Certain infant carrier seats are even designed to be used on strollers that do not have a base, which allows you to keep your baby safe throughout all sorts of adventures and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to help you out with the transportation of your child!
It is important to remember that an infant car seat is not designed to be left alone on a surface that is soft. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even the possibility of suffocation. This is why you should always review the safety instructions thoroughly before using a car seat for your infant in a different place.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of the travel system, which is comprising a car seat base and stroller frame that snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for infants since they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa without having to awake them. This is the primary reason that more than 80% Babylist parents buy an infant seat.
Many infant car seats work with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to remove their child from the car and put it on a stroller frame so that they can stroll through a park or a grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to look out for if you plan on using a ride-sharing or taxi service. The majority of these services require a child to be secured in a seat.
Infant car seats are usually lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families who prefer to be on the go. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so that parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly helpful in the event of a trip scheduled that you don’t want to wake your sleeping baby up for!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants and later convert into a forward-facing seat for older children. These all-in-one car seats are a great choice for parents who are looking to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as possible. You can even find seats that convert to transform into a high back maxi-cosi kore i-size booster Seat for toddlers seat when your child has outgrown the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when browsing options!
Easy of Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is car seat that snaps into the base of your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and young babies secure until they reach the height and weight requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it easy to transfer your child from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.
Look for an infant car seat that has a detachable carrier that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will make it much easier to get your baby into and out of the car particularly when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. It’s also important to look over the shoulder strap slots and position them properly to fit your child’s height. If the straps are too low or high, they aren’t used correctly and can cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats include lower anchors that are able to be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as for travel on airplanes. Be sure that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible “click” when the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment mechanism, such as Graco’s Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next level from an infant carrier and can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirements for a booster seat. They can be used in combination with a stroller but they don’t provide the infant-like fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters but they’re generally bigger and more difficult to transport, which can make them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is crucial to do it correctly and safely. This is influenced by the position of the seat, the angle of base, and the way you use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a system often called a travel system. These seats are designed to be used in the rear position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing seats. Most car seats come with an angle indicator that you can use to verify if the seat is set at the right semi-reclined position for your child. The base might also come with an adjustable feature to change the angle.
Also, make sure that the seat permits you to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to unthread and rethread them. This could be a huge time saver, as it will likely need to be done multiple times during the course of the car seat of an infant.
Some cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease between cushion back of the seat and the bottom. The hooks will snap into place easily as they are designed specifically for the specific seat. They could also make a distinct sound when they are securely attached.
It is also a great idea to test out the car seat on the child first to make sure it is suitable for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat doesn’t fit into the base, you should search for a different option.
Some car seats can be installed without the base, which is beneficial if you take public transportation or use taxi services like Uber. You can usually remove and install the seat without having a base by simply pressing a lever or a button. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you an explicit “click” when it is secure enough.
