How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you would like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both a high-back and backless booster.

It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other helpful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that reduce the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, which is why they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will need to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life so you don't have to worry about them exceeding their weight or height as fast as convertible car seats can.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous, but it is still a good idea to do your own research prior to buying. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing information to provide to families.

Find features that can help your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats can be dangerous if they are not used correctly.

Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some can be able to grow with your child and can be converted to a booster in the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a convenient option.

In general, you should buy the safest car seat you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in your family vehicle They are also easy to install and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. You should be able to install and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, it's important to determine the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. In general, you should select the seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum, a few manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that helps stabilize the seat in a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth spending more on a newborn car seat seat with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding in the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading.

The size and weight of a baby car seat can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or your siblings seats. While all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which could help keep your biceps from getting sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more flexible including rotational options or the capability to convert into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or bar that prevents rebound to give you additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't essential to ensure safety, but they can enhance the overall experience.

Parents want their babies to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking clean.

Certain models go further to ensure that their customers get an enjoyable and safe experience. For example, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both rear and front collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and also an indicator that informs you when it's properly attached to the base. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide easy single-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the variety of features available makes it hard to determine what's the best car seats for infants fit for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could raise the cost of the seat but improve the comfort of your infant. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to pay attention to dimensions and base weight, as not all seats fit in every car.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, could affect this. It is also important to consider whether the straps can be easily tightened and loosened and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option when you plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. Make sure you choose a model equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that increases with the baby, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster when the infant has finished using it is a nice bonus.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that delights parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers gave it top marks across the spectrum. It's affixed for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.