Choosing the Best
car seats by age Seats Infant
The
best car seats for infants meet federal safety guidelines and have clear, labeled installation guides. This handy chart that opens in a new tab will help you determine if your child should be facing rear or facing forward.
Consider adding accessories that are convenient like load legs. They help to reduce movement in an accident. Think about whether you would like a convertible stroller or a car seat.
Simple to Use
It is crucial to select the right infant car seat since you will only use it for your child's very first year. Take into consideration safety guidelines from organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can also rely upon resources like Consumer Reports and advice from other parents.
In addition to examining the NHTSA ratings and information on the fit of your vehicle for your infant car seat, you should make sure it's easy to set up and put together and that it's easy to take out and in, that the padding is comfortable and it comes with useful features. Some of the best infant car seats have self-checking mechanisms that provide you with a bubble or color indicator to show you have installed it correctly. This is incredibly beneficial for exhausted parents.
Also, you should consider the size and weight of the seat. If you want to be able to use the seat for a longer period of time, select a seat that is all the way to the 90th percentile of height and weight. You can't know what your child prefers until you've used the seat, but make sure you choose soft materials and thick padding that feels good against their skin.
If you're not sure how to narrow down your options, it's a great idea to talk to a certified child safety technician to learn more about the types of seats and the installation methods that work best for your particular vehicle. They can also provide suggestions on the most appropriate fit and comfort for your child, as well as helping you understand the crash policies of each brand.
Safety
There are a variety of factors that can make an
infant car seats cheap car seat more or less safe. The first step in choosing the best car seat for your child is to ensure that it meets your car's and the manufacturer's requirements. Refer to the owner's manual for your car for instructions on how to install a seat using lower anchors and tethers. (Or a seat belt in older cars without LATCH). The next step is to look at special features such as load legs or anti-rebound bars that reduce crash forces. You'll also want to think about whether or not you can afford and live with convertible car seats that can eventually be an
infant car seat that swivels seat.
The safety of your baby is contingent on the correct installation of their car seat. Before installing a car seat, you need to review the user manual or look up online videos of installation. Keep in mind that it's an excellent idea to have a trained professional inspect your car seat, even if you've installed it correctly.
Easy-to-use car seats are safer. A seat that's user-friendly will be more likely to be used correctly by ensuring that it has easy-to-read directions and useful features such as handles that hold the straps or sensor-equipped buckles which let you know if your child hasn't yet sat down.
Similar to that, make sure you purchase car seats only from a trusted store or website. It's not safe to purchase seats from a variety of sellers or from websites that ship directly from China. Also, avoid buying used car seats as they could be old or may have been involved in an accident.
A car trip can be stressful, particularly for a child. Choose a seat that has plush fabrics, padded straps and is comfortable on the shoulders and neck. You should also consider the weight of the seat- you want to be capable of lifting it and carry it without hurting yourself, especially if you intend to use it for extended periods of time.
Comfort
A high-quality car seat is not just there to protect your baby but also be comfortable for the
infant car seats best. Look for features like thick padding, easy-to-adjust harnesses and ventilation holes to keep your baby cool (especially when you live in a hot region). It is important to read reviews on the internet and try the seat prior to purchasing.
Another thing to consider is weight. All infant car seats comply with the safety standards of the federal government. However there are some that are lighter. This is especially important when you plan to use the seat in more than one vehicle or attach it to stroller frames. For instance the Nuna Pipa Aire RX is the lightest convertible infant car seat available at 6.2 pounds without canopy and base. It's recently been replaced in the brand's lineup by the slightly cheaper, but still secure Pipa Lite Aire.
The seat is narrower than other models, which is good for most cars however, it can be a problem when you have a small trunk or a vehicle with limited space in the back seat. The shoulder straps are not adjustable in height and the belt guides don't have enough padding to avoid the shoulders of your child from being pushed around.
Overall, the seat fits most newborns comfortably and is easy to install. It has a higher rear-facing limit than other seats and is easy to change between the reclining positions. It's priced in the middle of the market for a baby car seat but it has a stellar reputation for quality and comes with two cupholders.
There are a lot of options to consider when choosing a car seat for infants. It's not necessary to be intimidated by the options available if you research before you purchase. Consider your car's fit with safety and comfort features, and the price. You can find the best car seat for your child by taking into consideration these factors. No matter how great the car seat, it's not as safe when you don't install it correctly.
Easy Installation
Car seats are incredibly important safety devices, and must be installed correctly to ensure your baby's safety. This is why the ease of installation is among our primary considerations when choosing a car seat for an infant. A lot of the top infant car seats have self-checking indicators like bubble or color indicators that inform you when the seat is securely installed, which will prevent the risk of making dangerous mistakes. Some even have self-checking features at the base, which is especially useful when you frequently switch the seat between vehicles.
In addition to being easy to install and removal, the most comfortable
infant car seats that swivel car seats also allow you to adjust or loosen the harness straps without aid of a device or the manual. This feature is particularly beneficial for newborns and preemies who require a secure harness to provide adequate support. A simple tightening system is vital to avoid frustration when you have a baby who is not cooperative and you have to secure the seat quickly.
The best infant car seats make it easy to lug around, and we love models that don't feel too heavy when you have a child in them. Carrying a car seat that is too heavy will strain your arms and back, so it's best to pick a seat with a weight range that feels doable for you.
We also take into consideration the width and weight of the base and the seat itself, since you don't want a seat that's too large for your car or will require some significant juggling to get in and out. We prefer seats that are smaller and can fit into three or two rows. They are also less likely than wider seats to rub against one another.
Chicco KeyFit is our favorite model in this category. It has received high marks from parents and experts, including CPST teacher Kecia Healy. The KeyFit line includes features that make it easy to set up, such as a spring-loaded recline foot and a bubble indicator on the base to help you ensure it is level. Healy also lauds the tightening mechanism, which makes use of the SuperCinch belt tightening system that makes it easier to fix the seat to the floor.
