What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options to choose a car seat for their child the infant
best car seats infant seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, which means they have a shorter lifespan.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to create a travel system. This allows parents to take their baby from the car to the stroller without causing any disturbance to them.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how secure an
infant carrier seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. However, as with all car seats on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as secure as it is possible to safeguard your baby during the event of a crash. Most of the time they are placed with the
best infant seat facing the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants with the highest risk of injury during a crash.
They also have additional padding for added head protection, and lower anchors to secure the seat to your vehicle's chassis to prevent it from shifting in the event of a collision. This is especially important for young infants, with large heads and necks that are susceptible to injury from the force of a crash or sudden stop. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, creating a travel system that lets you easily transfer your baby from your car to the stroller without having to worry about them.
In addition, many infant car seats have bases that can be used in other vehicles to permit you to take your child with you no matter where you go. This is great when you regularly take a taxi or ride-sharing service and can make traveling on planes with your infant much easier also.
Certain infant carrier seats are suitable for use on strollers that do not have a base, allowing you to ensure your baby's safety throughout all sorts of excursions and trips. This is an excellent option for grandparents who want to assist you with transporting your child.
It's also important to remember that a baby car seat is never meant to be left unattended in a vehicle, as infants can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and possibly the risk of suffocation. This is why you should always be sure to read the safety guidelines carefully before using a car seat for your infant in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system", which is a combination of the car seat base and frame of the stroller. These snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for babies since they give parents the option to move their child from a car to a stroller without waking him up. This feature alone makes it the main reason why more than 80percent of Babylist parents register for an infant seat!
Many infant car seats are compatible with the majority of strollers. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to take their baby from the car and put it on a frame for a stroller so that they can stroll around a park or supermarket. This is also a great feature to consider in the event you plan to use a ride share or taxi service, as the majority of these services require the child be in a car seat.
Infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are a great option for families who prefer to travel. Additionally, some brands of infant car seats come with an e-handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is particularly useful if you have any trips scheduled that you don't want to wake your baby!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These seats are a great choice if you are looking to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as possible. You can find a convertible car seat that converts into an high-back booster seat once your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when you browse the options!
User-Friendliness
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is a car seat that snaps into the base of your vehicle. They are designed to keep newborns and young babies safe until they meet the weight and height requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.
Look for an infant seat that has an attachable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller or a car. This will make it easier to get your baby in and out of the vehicle especially when their nap is about to end or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. It's also important to check the slots on the shoulder straps and position them properly according to your child's size. If the straps are too low or high, they won't be used correctly and can be dangerous in a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without or with the base. This is great for taxi rides, or when traveling by plane. Make sure that the lower anchors are simple to install, have a European routing and are easy to release. We can also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It's also helpful to find seats that have an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment mechanism, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They can be used until your child is at the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used in combination with strollers but they don't provide the infant-like fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally heavier and less
portable infant car seat and therefore difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children around busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is crucial to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. Some factors that can impact this include the seat positioning, the angle of the base, and the way to use the handle.
Most infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that remains in the vehicle, a combination often called a travel system. These seats are designed for rear-facing use and are safer than forward-facing. The majority of car seats have a built-in angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base might also come with an adjustable feature to change the angle.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat has an option to adjust the height of the shoulder strap without having to disengage and reconnect the straps. This can be a real time saver, since it will probably need to be done multiple times throughout an infant's car seat use.
Finally, some cars come with hard points in the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are made specifically for the specific seat and should snap into place with little effort. When they are in place to the seat, you might hear a distinct sound.
It is also a great idea to test out the car seat on the child first to ensure it works well for your family. If the car seat doesn't fit into the base, or your child is not at ease, it's time to consider a different alternative.
Certain car seats can be able to be installed without the base. This is helpful for those who use taxi or public transportation services like Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without the base by pressing a lever or button. Check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you an explicit "click" when it is secure enough.
