How to Choose the Best infant car seat that swivels Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you need an automobile seat that can expand with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to be converted into a high-back and backless booster.

It also scores highly for comfort and quality with soft, 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

The infant car seats are made to fit small babies best, so they generally offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you'll need to carry your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last through your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits as quickly as a convertible car seat may.

It is an excellent idea to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing information to share with families.

Find features that can benefit your family. These include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features could make buckling your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the safest seats are useless if you don't use them in a proper manner.

The weight and the width of the car seat are also crucial. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child and transition to an adult seat simultaneously. Also, if you plan to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that is installed with only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative.

In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For instance, it's recommended to avoid models that don't include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that can fit in your family vehicle They are also simple to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from about $180 to $500. They may cost more if they are convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat.

The convenience features include the ability to be installed using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. You should be able to install and take it out easily, especially if you switch it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.

It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and move the seat when not in use. It is also essential to verify the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also comes with a leg that stabilizes the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have thick, breathable fabric and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort especially if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller which makes it easier to fit in the backseat with other car seats or siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Certain rotating infant car seat car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable like rotational options or the ability to connect to strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents require a clean, comfortable car seat for their infant. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your lightweight baby car seat calm and comfortable and has an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly secured. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide simple, one-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the myriad of features available can make it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits and the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost, but they can also improve comfort for baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, can influence this. Also, you should consider whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient if your plan is to switch cars or take taxis often. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and integrated locking mechanism.

Certain features might be worth the extra cost for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature, or the canopy that expands and locks into the correct position. Our product testers have also observed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby is finished using it is a benefit.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our testers gave it top marks across all categories. It's approved for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.