Best Infant Seat Features
While all infant seats meet federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. From extra padding to a padded newborn inlay to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without having to rethread the seat, our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features parents will love.
When deciding on our top picks, we took into consideration factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, special features, and price. Find out the best infant seat -
he said - for your family by reading.
Safety
Every infant car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards. But some of the seats have extra features that go above the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated strap-holding sides, and much more. The more features a car seat is equipped with, the more comfortable, according to the experts I spoke with.
The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will reduce the risk of injury to their child in a crash. This is especially important with the infant car seat, as it's only designed to last for an extremely short time. Find a seat that is easy to install with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to help keep the seat level. Make sure that the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.
Other premium features that some car seat manufacturers provide include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips to carry the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are fantastic but the safety of your car seat is only as good as the vehicle in which you drive. You can find tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your child's car seat and find out more about the safety features.
When you're choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be allowed to use it for around 2 years until your child is ready to switch to convertible car seats. Some families skip the infant seat entirely and choose to purchase convertible cars with an increased weight and height limits. When purchasing an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your car and test various models before settling on one. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for your child, is a good fit in your car and also has useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Don't forget to verify recalls prior making the purchase. It's the most critical factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.
User-Friendliness
If you're planning to use the seat in one vehicle or moving it among several, you'll need an infant car seat that is easy to put in and remove from the base. Find clearly labeled instructions for installation and an operation that is seamless. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your
baby seat grows, and the quality materials used.
Some infant seats have a load leg. This is a brace that serves as a support between the seat base and the vehicle's floor and provides extra stability in case of an accident. This is a crucial feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of head injury during a crash is much higher when an infant is sitting close to the floor, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.
Other top features that enhance the user experience include a harness with no-rethread and anti-rebound bar, which will prevent the seat from rebounding during a crash. The latter has been shown to decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an exemplary rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions plus an extendable canopy that can be secured by magnets to provide full coverage.
Another thing to look for is an infant seat that can be installed with just the lap belt and does not require the base. That's ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require an extra trip back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's built right into the bottom of the seat which makes it fast and simple to install in any vehicle. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds), and it converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's an excellent choice for families with a tight budget.
Comfort
If your child is in a car seat for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they feel safe. This means straps for the shoulders that are padded as well as soft fabrics that feel comfortable against their stomach or back and a growing headrest. Also, look for a seat that is easy to adjust as your child grows.
A seat with many special features is often more expensive but also easier to use. This is why we consider factors like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also take note of the dimensions and weight, as the weight or bulk of a seat could put stress on your biceps when you're carrying it in and out of your car or between cars.
Another good choice is a car seat with a load-leg, a safety feature which helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's typically found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this safety feature.
The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll need to make sure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs around age two or 3. You should also consider a convertible infant car seat that can be converted into an adult seat. This option gives you more flexibility in your vehicle and is great for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.
Our test subjects loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller into one unit. It's perfect for parents who are constantly on the move, especially those who use public transport to commute to work or go to school. It is also easy to set up. Our experts who tested it appreciated its user-friendlyness with the one-handed latching mechanism and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is compact which is crucial for those who have a small trunk room. Plus, it's free of harmful chemicals, which is a huge advantage for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and the environment.
Convenience
The
best car seats newborn infant car seats are easy to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically raise as your child grows the
best car seats for newborns infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get into and out with minimum of hassle. Other important aspects to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy that can be useful in the car and attached to a stroller.
One thing that might not be a big deal but can save you a lot of trouble is an indicator on the base that informs you whether it's been put in place correctly. This line is located on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground after you've completed. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if plan to travel with your child and require the seat in taxis or Ubers.
Another useful feature is the ability to attach an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to transport your baby's infant from the car to the supermarket or out for errands without the need to carry an additional carrier. This could be a great advantage for parents with newborns who want to get back to their routine after an extended commute or a trip with their newborn.
If your baby is expected to grow quickly, select an infant car seat that has a higher weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat for longer.
While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are created equally. Some have premium features that go above and beyond, like load legs that anchor the base of the car seat for extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. A few extras can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and make you as a parent happier and more confident.
