How to Choose the best car seat Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're in need of an automobile seat that can grow with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be converted to a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft cushioning that is machine washable. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are attached to the base or car seats and limit movement during a crash.

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame which is crucial since you will need to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle often. Car seats for infants have the advantage of being designed to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as fast as the convertible car seat might.

It's a good idea, however, to do some research prior to you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

It is also important to look into whether a seat comes with features that could be beneficial to your family, like a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features can make buckling up your baby faster and easier however, you must remember that even the safest of seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.

Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be small enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child, and move to a booster seat while you're at it. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a convenient option.

In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The ideal infant car seat is one that will fit comfortably in the vehicle of your family, is easy to install and use, and includes handy features such as a built-in stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats range between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without taking the infant out of the seat. You need to be able to put in and remove the seat with ease and quickly, particularly if you need to switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight baby car seat - have a peek here -, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles and turn the seat around when it is not in use. When you purchase an infant car seat, be sure to determine the weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also has load legs, which helps stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces the force on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats that have safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat newborn insert seat. The most comfortable ones are made of large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding in the headrest and harness. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight restrictions, some are lighter than others, which can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Certain infant car seat newborn car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller with no need for adapters. Other models include premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars for extra safety in the case of a crash. These features aren't necessary to ensure safety, but they can enhance the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their infant. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking clean.

Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator to let you know when the seat is securely attached. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener allow for easy single-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their primary goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to choose which one is right for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits and the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of babies. Look for features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base, which can be convenient if you take taxis often or if you are planning on switching cars frequently. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense like the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature and an extension canopy that locks into place. Our product testers have also noticed that having a seat that can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the infant is done using it is a plus.

The Doona is the type of infant car seats that swivel car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers scored it highly across all categories. It's approved for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.