How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents must have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?

A dedicated infant seat is the ideal option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience features like premium connectors for lower anchors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, look for security features such as load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As every parent will tell you, selecting the most appropriate car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you could make. The best seat will ensure they're positioned properly in the car and that they're adequately secured in the event of a 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. Some have special features designed to safeguard infants, like load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base as well as built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your baby.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit tiny babies best car seat newborn uk and often come with extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. They're also lighter than a convertible car seats and can be easily converted into a stroller. This makes them ideal for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs and pickups. You can buy used ones at less than the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months.

A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are important however the method you use to install the car seat of your child is more important. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital showed that 95% parents made at least one mistake when installing or adjusting their car seat.

That's why it's a good idea to take a few moments to get familiar with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be able to carry your child in it and that has easy-to-use adjustments.

You should also check to determine if the car seat for infants you're considering meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands-on demonstration.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have extra features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they could have a base on which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can make it easier to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have other children to look after.

The weight and height limits of a car seat for infants are other important aspects to consider. If your child is growing quickly it may be worthwhile to invest in a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you want.

In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for padded straps that won't rub or pinch their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft underneath them for long periods of time. Choose a seat that has the ability to lie flat. This allows your child to ride in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are many accessories available for infant car seats but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing anything that is not included in the seat, as it is not tested in a crash and may be unsafe. Also, avoid purchasing used rear facing infant car seat car seats, as they may have been involved in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

The best infant car seats cost between $100 and $600. However they all share some features. They're all lightweight, simple to set up and remove, and comfortable for babies. Some have features that make them more versatile such as the ability to swivel and clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats for more details on the different options on the market.

Comfort

The top infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it without a base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

Other factors to consider include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for a model that can expand with your child and will fit them well into toddlerhood. This way, you'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.

It is also important to think about the seat's dimensions and if it's smaller or wider than other models. The former can be beneficial for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter may be helpful when you have two kids in car seats that are back-to-back or have to drive with three children in the back seat at some point. If you intend to use the car seat with a stroller, look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with the majority of strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that will meet your needs.

To make it easier to use, look up the ratings the car seat is given for installation. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding which indicate whether the seat is secured and level, can ease stress for parents who are new. Some seats also have innovative features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing components found under the seat or on the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force in a crash.

You'll also find some accessories that claim to increase the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but keep in mind that any product not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn't yet been tested or vetted for safety. "Anything you purchase that isn't from the manufacturer, even the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents, figuring out how to select the most suitable infant car seat is a bit of an exercise. It's important that you know your budget and what features you'd like. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. But it all boils down to comfort.

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 extension kits that have been tested for safety, which will help them last longer. They also offer more recline options for proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter, making it easier to carry. They are more likely to be compatible when used with an existing travel system. This is beneficial for new parents looking to save money and time by buying seats that serve two functions.

Another thing to keep in mind is that car seat width and weight are important factors for most families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others for a better fit in the back of your car, or for use alongside siblings' seats. Others are enough weighty to test your biceps to lift and move from stroller to car.

Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller, without any extra attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands your children.

Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread, magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Lastly, look for an head and body support insert that can help prevent infants from slumping in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.

Certain car seats come with rigid latches that open from the base if installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat moves in the event of the event of a crash.