How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you need a car seat that will adapt to your child's needs, consider 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 comes with a huge rear-facing weight limitation.
It also scores highly for comfort and quality with soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other helpful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, and therefore they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car or put onto a stroller frame, unlike 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 seats have the advantage of being designed to last for your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits as quickly as convertible car seats can.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. Take a look at reviews from other parents and looking through safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash test data to provide to families.
You will also want to consider whether the seat has features that can be especially beneficial for your family, like an easy strap release with one hand or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These features can assist in securing up your child, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats are useless if they aren't used properly.
Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child, and move to a booster seat simultaneously. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be fitted using only your car's seatbelt will be a convenient choice.
In general it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, as the cheapest models typically do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best infant car seat is the one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family It is simple to install and use, and has handy features such as a built-in stroller or rotation ability. It should be affordable. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to $500. They may cost more when they are convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.
Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and taking it off should be simple, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can swiftly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able rotate the seat 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 height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has a load leg, which helps stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the child's body by 40 percent. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for car seats that are safe and has added convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones have large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding in the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need to be rethread.
The size and weight of a car seat for infants can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Certain models are smaller than others, making them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions certain models are lighter. infant car seat uk www.pushchairsandprams.uk will help you from having sore biceps when you carry it from one place to another or between cars.
Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more flexible, such as rotational options or the ability to connect to a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Other models have high-end features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars to add additional security in the event of a crash. These features aren't required to ensure safety, but they can enhance the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their infant. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to stand up to front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator that lets you know when the seat is properly secured. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator indicate when it is properly attached to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it difficult to decide what's most suitable for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits and the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and straps that do not rethread could raise the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your infant. Look for features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. You should also be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Some models allow you to use the seat without a base which is a great option if you take taxis often or if you are planning on changing cars often. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set correctly.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and the canopy that expands and is locked in the correct position. Our product testers have observed the fact that a seat can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby has finished using it is an advantage.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that delights parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers gave it top marks across all categories. It's approved for travel on air and has an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.