How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you are looking for an automobile seat that will develop with your child think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
It also scores high for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. These are shock-absorbing elements that are affixed to the car seat base and limit movement during an accident.
Safety
The infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best, so they generally have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to lift out of the car, or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child for the first year. This means you won't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond the weight limit or height.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous however it's recommended to conduct your own research prior to buying. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as checking out car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to give to families.
You will also want to consider whether the seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, such as a one-handed strap release, a no-rethread harness or an adjustable foot with springs. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats are useless in the event that they are not used correctly.
The weight and width of the car seat is 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 while you're at it. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat which can be fitted using only your vehicle's seatbelt is an ideal choice.
In general, you should buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Beware of models that don't include side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants are ones that fit inside your vehicle with your family, are easy to install and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to more than $500. If they're convertible and will be used for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.
The convenience features include the ability to be positioned using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.
You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also has an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. This feature alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for a car seat that is safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
Comfort is a major factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature thick, 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 need rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort especially if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat with another car seat or your siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more versatile including rotating options or the ability to convert into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't essential for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience.
Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that lets you know that it's attached correctly to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator will let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.
best car seats for newborns make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limit and the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the price but may improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and base weight as not all seats fit in every car.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, can affect this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base which is useful if you take taxis often or plan to switch cars frequently. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed properly.
Other features that may be worth the cost include a headrest that expands with the baby, a five-position recline and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers have noted that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the infant is done using it is a plus.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's got many features that solve almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our test participants have rated it highly across the board. It's approved for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted into a stroller. The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.