What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

When it comes to choosing a car seats, parents have two options either infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are only suitable for rear-facing use which means they last a little longer.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. Parents can effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.

Safety

Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. But, like all car seats on the market, an infant carrier seat is made to be as safe as is possible to protect your infant in the event of the event of a crash. They are typically placed to the rear, making them the best car seat infant choice for infants who face the highest risk of injury in a vehicle accident.

They also come with extra padding for added head protection as well as lower anchors to fix the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to stop it from moving during a collision. This is particularly important for young babies with necks that are large and heads that are easily injured by a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, forming a travel system that allows you to easily move your baby from your car to the stroller without having to worry about them.

In addition, many infant car seats come with an base that can be fitted in other vehicles to permit you to take your child along with you no matter where you go. This is ideal for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services frequently. It also makes traveling with an infant on planes a lot easier.

Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that do not have an element of base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. 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 carrier is not designed to be left unattended on a smooth surface. Infants can tip over or roll over, causing injuries and even suffocation. This is why you should always read the safety instructions carefully before using an infant car seat in a different location.

Portability

Many infant car seats are designed to be part of the travel system, which is comprising a car frame and seat base which snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they allow parents to transfer their child from the car to the stroller and vice versa without having to awake them. This feature alone makes it an important reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents sign up for an infant seat!

Many infant car seats work with strollers. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to remove their child from their car and place it on a frame to allow them to walk around a park or supermarket. This is a great option to consider if you're planning on using a ride share or taxi service, as most of these services require children be in a car seat.

Car seats for infants are typically lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent choice for families who like to be on the go. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat themselves. This is particularly useful when you have a trip planned that you don't wish to wake your sleeping baby up for!

Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are a great option if you're looking to keep your child in a safe seat for as long as is possible. You can even find an convertible seat that can transform into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Just be sure to check for this when browsing choices!

User-Friendliness

A rear-facing infant carrier seat is car seat that snaps onto the base of your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants safe until they reach the weight and height requirements of a booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your child from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap time.

Look for an infant car seat with an attachable carrier that connects to the base of a stroller. This will allow you to quickly get your child in and out of the car, particularly when their nap is coming to expire or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's also important to check the shoulder strap slots and make sure they're properly placed for your child's size. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't used correctly and can be a risk in a crash.

Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is ideal for taxi rides or for travel on airplanes. Make sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have a European routing and are easy to release. We can also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is secured properly. It is important to choose a seat that has an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's click connect and UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.

Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child meets the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used conjunction with a stroller however they do not offer the infant-like fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically heavier and less portable and therefore difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.

Installation

Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats is difficult. It is crucial to do it in a safe and secure manner. This can be affected by the seat position, the angle of base, and also the way you handle the handle.

The majority of infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a combination commonly referred to as a traveling system. These seats are made to be used rear-facing which is more secure than forward-facing. Many car seats come with a built-in angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base may also have an adjustable feature to change the angle.

It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to remove and replace them. This is a great time-saver, as you will need to do this several times throughout the child's car seat use.

Finally, some cars come with hard points in the back of the seat specifically designed for infant car seats. These are usually tucked into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks will be able to snap into place quickly as they are designed specifically to fit the seat. They could also make a distinct sound when they are securely attached.

It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure that it works for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat doesn't click into the base, it's best car seat for newborn to consider a different option.

Certain car seats can be able to be installed without a base. This is helpful when you travel by taxi or public transportation services like Uber. You can usually remove and install the seat without the base by pressing a lever or button. Check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you a "click" to let you know when you're safe.