How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than the other?

A special infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, making it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Consider convenience features such as premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, look out for safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows choosing the correct car seat is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The right seat will ensure they're positioned correctly in the car, and ensure they're protected in the event of an accident.

While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all car seats are created equally. Some seats have features that are designed to safeguard infants. For example, load legs prevent movement in crashes by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to be able to accommodate babies in the best car seats newborn way. They usually come with crash-tested inserts, which aid in this. They're also lighter than a convertible car seat and can be easily converted to a stroller. This makes them suitable for drop-offs at daycares, rides and pickups. And because they'll only last through the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy an older model for less than the price.

A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are crucial however the method you use to install your child's car seat is more important. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital found that 95% of parents have made a mistake at least once when installing or changing their car seat.

That's why it's a good idea to take a few minutes to get familiar with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend you pick an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough it's easy to carry around your baby.

Check to see if the infant car seat that you are considering fits the car's dimensions. If you're concerned about your capability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born to receive a hands-on demonstration.

Convenience

Some infant car seats come with additional features that make it easier to use. For instance, they could have a base that the seat can be clicked into and out of, or they could have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat, especially when there is a child in your care.

The weight and height limits of a baby car seat are other important aspects to take into consideration. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it could be worth the extra cost to purchase a car seat with higher limits to use it for as long as is possible.

In addition to safety features, your child's car seat should also be comfortable. Find comfortable straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders and soft fabric that feels soft under them for extended durations. It's also recommended to choose the seat with the option of lying flat, which allows your newborn to ride in a more relaxed position that keeps their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns you that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, since they are not crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid buying used car seats for infants as they could have been in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

The top rated baby car seats infant car seats range in price from $100 to more than $600. However, they all share some characteristics. They're all lightweight, easy to install and detach, and comfortable for babies. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats to get more information about the various choices available.

Comfort

Top infant car seat in front seat car seats come with features that provide comfort and make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that eliminates the need to grip both straps at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. Also, you should consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll use it without a base, a seat that is lighter is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight limit and height of the infant car seats is also crucial. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a long time you should look for a model that can adapt to your baby's needs and will allow them to transition into toddlerhood. You can keep it for longer and save money by not buying another seat.

You'll also want to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's narrower or wider than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second option could be helpful when you have three children in the rear facing infant car seat seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you plan to use a car seat with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with detachable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna offer options to satisfy your requirements.

To make it easier to use, check out the ratings the car seat is given for installation. Clear guides and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding, that indicate whether the seat is secured and level can ease stress for parents who are new. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the seat base or beneath the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some impact force in the event of a crash.

You'll also find some accessories that claim to improve your car seat's comfort and convenience, but keep in mind that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. Segura recommends that you don't put anything else in your car seat, such as the blanket or harness you bought from a different source.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to select the best infant car seat is a bit of an exercise. It's crucial to know what your budget is and what features you want. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.

For example, it's worth noting that infant-specific seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some might include extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to help them last longer). They also tend to have more recline modes to allow proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are important to consider for most families. Certain infant car seats, for example, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.

In terms of convenience, many parents prefer infant car seats with the ability to go from the base to the carrier and click directly into a stroller, without the need for extra attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially during busy times when you're out running errands with your little ones.

Other features that are useful include a no-rethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to stop infants from slumping into the seat or in the car as they sleep.

Most car seats use flexible straps to secure their lower anchor connectors, but there are some that feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and may restrict the amount that a seat can move during an accident.