How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents should have car seats. What makes one seat superior to another?

A dedicated infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter for easy transportation outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience features such as premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, look for security features like load legs and head and body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you that choosing the best car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The right seat will ensure they're positioned properly in the car and that they are adequately secured in the event of an accident.

Not all car seats are equal. Although every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Some models have features that are designed to protect infants. For example load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the base and car seat. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit tiny babies most comfortably and usually include crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily transferred to a stroller making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. They're also durable. through the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy an used one at a fraction of the cost.

Another point to be aware of is that, while a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are crucial, the method you use your car seat is more critical to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital found that 95% of parents have made at least one error when installing or adjusting their car seat.

It's important to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby arrives with the appropriate guidelines for car seats. We suggest looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be easy to carry your child in it and that has easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms.

Make sure that the infant car seat that you're considering fits your car's dimensions. If you're concerned about your own abilities to install and use the car seat correctly you might want to bring it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) for a hands-on tutorial before your baby's birth.

Convenience

Some infant car seats come with extra features that make them more user-friendly. For instance, they could have a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they could feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features can make it more convenient to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have other children to attend to.

The weight and height limits of an infant car seat are other important aspects to consider. If your child is growing rapidly, it might be worth investing in a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you are able to utilize it for as long as you want.

Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Find padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels at ease underneath them. Choose a seat that has an upright position. This allows your child to sit in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura advises that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat because they haven't been tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. It is also recommended to avoid purchasing used car seats for infants, because they could have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn out.

The top infant car seats are priced from $100 to over $600. However, they all share some features. They're all lightweight, easy to put in and take off, and comfortable for babies. Some have features that make them more flexible including the ability to rotate and clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. For more details on the different choices available, read our list of the top forward facing infant car seat car seats.

Comfort

The best infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. The top infant car seats feature a single-handed clasp system that eliminates having to grip both sides simultaneously. They also have cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to think about the weight of the seat--you'll be using it without a base, in the end so a lighter model is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight and height limits of the infant car seats are also important. If you plan to keep the car seat, select one that will expand with your child and fit them into the stage of toddlerhood. This way, you'll be capable of using it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

You should also think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's narrower or larger than other models. The former can be beneficial for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter could be beneficial when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats by age seats, or need to drive with three children in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use the car seat with strollers, you should look for one that is able to be removed from car seats and is compatible with the majority of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement.

To make it easier to use, look up the rating a car seat receives for installation. Clear guides and indicators, like bubble levels or color coding which indicate whether the seat is secure and level, can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components located beneath the seat or base that extend to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force during a crash.

There are also accessories that claim to improve the convenience and comfort of your car seat. Be aware that anything not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. "Anything you purchase that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

It can be a challenge for parents with young children to determine the best infant car seats. It is important to determine what your budget is and what features you'd like to have. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility and even fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.

It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and can only be used until the age of one year. Some come with crash-tested extensions kits that will allow them to last longer. They also tend to offer more recline options for proper positioning of small children and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry around. They are more likely to be compatible when used with a travel infant car seat system. This is a great option for new parents looking to save money and time by purchasing seats that serve two functions.

Car seat weight and width are also important factors to consider for most families. Certain infant car seat best car seats, for example are narrower and can be able to fit in the back of your car or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps as you lift them up and transfer them from the car to the stroller.

When it comes to convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats with the ability to go from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, particularly on busy days when you're running errands with your children.

Other convenient features include a magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a simple installation process. Also, look for an head and body support insert, which will help prevent infants from slumping in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.

Most car seats have flexible straps for their lower anchor connectors, however some feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This type of install is more secure and can limit the amount a seat can move during the event of a crash.