How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?
A specially designed infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier like premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, look for security features like load legs and body/head cushions.
Safety
As any parent knows choosing the correct car seat is among the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The best seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and properly protected in case of a car crash.
While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all car seats are created equally. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, like load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the car seat and base, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your baby.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit babies at their best, and typically include extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and are easily transferred to a stroller, making them ideal for ride-sharing and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. You can buy a used one at less than the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months.
Another thing to consider is that, while an excellent NHTSA rating and great crash test results are crucial however, the way you use your car seat is more critical to your child's safety. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95% of parents made at least one error when installing or adjusting their car seat.
It's essential to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby is born with appropriate guidelines for car seats. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to be able to carry your baby in it, and that has easy-to-use adjustments.
Examine if the infant car seat you're considering fits your requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're concerned about your own abilities to set up and use the car seat properly take it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) to receive an interactive session prior to the time your baby is born.
Convenience
Some infant car seats include extra features that make it easier to use. Some infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they may have a base into which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it simpler to set up and remove the car seat - particularly when there is a child in your care.
The weight and height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into consideration. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it might be worth the extra cost to purchase a car seat that has higher limits to utilize it for as long as possible.
In addition to the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Choose padded straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels at ease underneath them. Select a seat with an upright position. This allows your child to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
Dr. Segura warns that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, as they have not been crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid purchasing a used infant car seats as they could have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
The best infant car seats cost from $100 to more than $600. However they all share certain characteristics. They are all lightweight easy to put in and take down, and are comfortable for the infant. Some have extra features that make them more adaptable. For example they can swivel, or clip onto strollers without adapters. Check out our comparison of the best infant car seats to get more information about the various choices available.
Comfort
The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get the baby in and out of the seat. The best infant car seats have a one-handed clasp system that eliminates having to grip both sides simultaneously. They also come with cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to consider how much the seat weighs--you'll be using it without a base for instance and a lighter weight is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.
The height and weight limit of infant car seats is also crucial. If you intend to keep the car seat for a long time you should look for an infant car seat that will adapt to your baby's needs and fit them into toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not buying an additional seat.
You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and if it's smaller or larger than other models. This can be an advantage for smaller vehicles, and the latter may be helpful when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or require driving with three kids in the back seat at some time. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement.
To make it easier to use, look up the score the car seat is given for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened - like bubble levels or color codes--can aid in reducing stress on parents who are new. Some seats have innovative features, such as load legs. best car seat for newborn are shock-absorbing components that extend from the seat base or under the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb the force of impact in the event of a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to improve the convenience and comfort of your car seat. Be aware that anything that's not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. "Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, even an accessory like a harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For new parents trying to figure out how to pick the most suitable infant car seat can be quite an exercise. It is important to determine what your budget is and what features you'd like to have. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's suitable for your baby.
It is important to remember that convertible car seats are not suitable for babies and are only suitable up to the age of one year. Some may even have extended kits that have been tested in a crash, which will help them last longer. They also tend to offer more recline options to allow proper positioning of small children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that is able to do double duty.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat width and weight are important aspects for the majority of families. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car or for use alongside siblings' seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents opt for an baby car seats that can be changed from a base to a carrier and then transform into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands with your little ones.
Other convenient features include a magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Lastly, look for a head and body support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the seat or carrier in the event of a nap.
The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps to secure the lower anchor connectors, however some come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This type of installation is more secure and restricts the amount a seat can move in a crash.