How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can expand with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limit.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. best car seat include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is important because you will need to transport your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent but it's recommended to conduct your own research prior to making a purchase. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.
Look for features that will be useful to your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness, or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats are useless if they aren't used properly.
The weight and the width of the car seat are equally important. Many infant car seats can be installed in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child and then convert to an adult booster simultaneously. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that is installed using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great 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 crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are ones that fit in your family vehicle They are also easy to install and come with useful extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. If they're convertible and are designed to be used by both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.
The convenience features include the ability to be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly get the car seat correctly installed.
You should be able to adjust the harness and buckles and move the seat when not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, it's important to determine the weight and height limits. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also has a load leg, which can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the force on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for car seats that are safe and has added convenience features.
Comfort
Comfort is a major factor to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have large, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of a car seat for infants can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings' seats. Although all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others--which could help keep your biceps from aching when carrying it around town or between vehicles.
Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more versatile including rotating options or the ability to click into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide extra security in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Some models go over and beyond to ensure their customers have a safe and comfortable experience. For instance, 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 front and rear collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable, as well an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator indicate that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the dizzying array of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like 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 baby. Consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Be sure to pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all cars.
One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. You should also consider whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to help make sure that the seat is placed properly.
Some features may be worth the extra expense like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or a canopy that extends and is locked in the position. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby has completed using it is an added bonus.
The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our testers have rated it as top across every category. It's approved for travel on air, has an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.