How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat can be transformed to a high-back booster or a backless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limitation.

It also scores well in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other useful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base of the car seat that help to limit movement in a crash.

Safety

Car seats for infants are designed to fit small babies best, and so they usually come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. 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 considering you will likely need to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The 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 the weight limit or height.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent, but it is still a good idea to do your own research prior to purchasing. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing data to give to families.

Find features that will benefit your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features assist in securing up your child, but remember that even the safest seats can be dangerous in the event that they aren't used properly.

The weight and width of the car seat are also important. Many infant car seats can be installed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Others can grow with your child and convert to a booster at the same time. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is an ideal choice.

In general it's a good infant car seats idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in the car of your family and are easy to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or a rotation feature. It must also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat with 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. The process of installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles and also move the seat when not in use. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. As a rule, choose the seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90 percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features 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 an infant seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. That feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an infant car seat because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the headrest and harness. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel infant car seat. Some models are narrower making it easier to fit them in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions, some are lighter. This can save your biceps from aching when you move it around town or between cars.

Some infant car seat in front seat car seats offer extra features that make them more versatile including rotating options or the ability to convert into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Other models have premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars to add extra safety in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their infants to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy 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 withstand both rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and has an indicator that lets you know when the seat is properly attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and convenience as their main goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to choose which one is right for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as load legs, anti-rebound bars, and no-rethread straps may increase the price of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Look for features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and base weight, as not all seats are suitable for every car.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is crucial. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're rigid or flexible. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient when you plan to change cars or take taxis often. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to ensure that your seat is set properly.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the infant or a recline with five positions, as well as an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also noted the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the lightweight baby car seat has completed using it is a nice bonus.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It has many features that solve almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants have rated it highly across the board. For instance, it's approved for use on planes, and features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also transforms directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapter). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.