How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one superior to another?

A dedicated infant seat is the ideal option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, such as premium lower-anchor connectors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs or head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, selecting the best car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The right seat will ensure that your child is placed correctly and adequately protected in case of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all car seats are created equally. Certain models have features specifically designed to protect infants, like load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat as well as built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.

Choi says that infant car seats are designed to fit babies the best. They often have crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. They're also lighter than convertible car seat and can easily be converted to a stroller. This makes them perfect for drop-offs at daycares, rides, and pickups. You can buy a used one at a fraction of the price as they're only used for your baby's first 12 months.

Another factor to keep in mind is that, while a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are crucial but the way you use your car seat is even more important to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital found that 95% parents made at least one mistake when installing or changing their car seat.

It is important to be familiar with your surroundings before your baby is born with proper guidelines for car seats. We suggest that you select a car seat inserts for newborns seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough it's easy to carry around with your baby.

It is also important to see whether the car seat for infants you're considering meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're worried about your capability to set up and operate the car seat properly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands-on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have extra features that make it easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they could feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features make it easier to set up and remove the car seat - especially if there is another child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into account. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly, it may be worth the extra money to invest in a car seat with higher limits to keep it in use for as long as you can.

In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable lightweight baby car seat. Find padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for soft fabric that feels at ease under them. It's also an excellent idea to select the seat with a lie-flat mode that allows your baby to sit in a more reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura advises that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat, because they haven't been tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. Avoid buying used car seats for infants because they may have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

The best infant car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However, they all share a few features. They're all light easy to put in and remove, and are comfortable for the child. Some have extra features that make them more versatile. For instance, they can swivel or clip onto strollers without adapters. For more information about the various options available, take a look at our list of the top infant car seats.

Comfort

The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy 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 have cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to think about how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, in the end and a lighter weight is the best. The Baby Trend Secure-Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other factors to consider include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you are planning to keep the car seat, choose one that can expand with your child and allow them to transition into the stage of toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and if it's smaller or larger than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second may be beneficial if you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you are planning to use your car seat in conjunction with strollers, choose one that has detachable car seats and is compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this requirement.

Review the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Clear guidelines and indicators, like bubble levels or color codes to indicate if the seat is secured and level, can ease stress for parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing parts found under the seat or base which extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force during a crash.

There are also some accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience, but remember that any accessory not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been tested or vetted for safety. "Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, including the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents trying to figure out how to choose the most suitable infant car seat can be a bit of an issue. It's essential to know your budget and the features you'd like to have. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all depends on what's most comfortable for baby.

For example, it's worth noting that infant seats designed specifically for babies are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some may include crash-tested extension kits to ensure they last longer). They tend to come with more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that will perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are important aspects to take into consideration for most families. Certain infant car seat for newborn seats, like, are narrower to fit better in the back of your vehicle or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are also enough weighty to test your biceps by lifting and transfer from stroller to car.

Many parents choose an infant car seat that can be transformed from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, particularly on busy days where you are running errands.

Other features that are useful include a magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Find a head-and-body-support insert to stop infants from collapsing into the seat or carrier when they fall asleep.

The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps for the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green once installed. This kind of installation is more secure and may restrict the amount that a seat moves during a crash.