How to Select
Good Infant Car SeatsWhen it comes to choosing a car seat for your
infant carrier seat the choices can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some things you can look for that will help narrow your choices.
High-end features such as load legs, an easy harness to tighten, and an extendable headrest that grows with your baby can make this parenting journey easier.
Easy to Use
When you are buying a car seat for your infant be sure to consider the weight and height limits. You should make sure that the seat will last for your child until they grow out of it, which typically happens around the age of two. It is also important to think about whether you require a car seat with the weight limit or height of 90th percentile or if you prefer one that is shorter or taller. This will help you decide the length of time you'll use the seat for.
In addition to size and weight, you must consider the ease of the seat to install and use. For instance, the ease of adjusting straps and latch connectors, how simple it is to change between forward and rear facing, and how many buckle positions are available impact ease of use. You should also be aware of whether the head and body padding are comfortable, and if the seat includes any extras for convenience, such as an insulated cupholder or hidden harness pads.
The more simple the seat is, the more you are more likely to use it properly. This can affect the safety of your baby. The most comfortable seats are those that let you easily install them by yourself without any hassle and also remove them from the base without any effort.
The weight of the car seat and its portability are also important aspects to take into consideration. You must be able to pick up the car seat with your infant in it and transport it with ease. This is crucial in the event of an extended trip. You should also check the seat's dimensions for width and height to make sure it's appropriate for your vehicle, and if you plan on using it with a stroller, search for a model that works with many strollers.
Lastly, you should examine the results of the crash tests conducted by the manufacturer. These results can be found on the website of the manufacturer or through an online search. You can determine if the seat has a history of protecting babies from accidents and what the policy for replacement.
Safety
When parents are looking for an infant seat, they want to be sure that the product will keep their child secure. All
infant car seat best car seats are required to meet safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Opens in a New Window, which include rigorous crash tests and a five-point harness system.
There are other factors to take into consideration when buying an infant car seat. It is crucial to choose the correct infant car seat based on your baby's height and weight as well as what kind of vehicle you own. It is also essential to ensure that the seat is correctly fitted, as poorly installed car seats increase the chance of injury during a crash.
A good infant car safety seat will come with clear installation guides, a bubble indicator of the level that is easy to read and a locking clip which prevents the base from being removed accidentally. It should be lightweight and include features that are convenient, such as an extended strap with no-rethread with an anti-rebound bar and an extra-long leg that is designed to protect your baby's head in the event of an accident.
Some parents might be interested in an infant car seat that can be made an adult seat by pulling an incline at the base of the. This will allow parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat until their child has reached the manufacturer's weight and height limits.
You should also think about how easy the car seat will be to use on a regular basis. The straps should be smooth to loosen and tighten and the buckle should be easy to click into and out of position. The bag should be lightweight and easy to carry, even when empty. The base should also be easy to remove without any hassle.
It is an excellent idea, before purchasing a car seat, to determine if there are any recalls. You can do this by going to the NHTSA Opens in a New Window website which has an index that can be searched to find the current and previous recalls of car seats.
Comfort
When it comes to infant car seats comfort is the primary factor for parents. These rear-facing car seats have been designed to protect your baby in the event of an accident. Most include integrated back and head support to keep them at a comfortable level. Choose a seat facing the rear with features like no-rethread straps, magnetic buckle holders, and adjustable shoulder belts.
Simple installation and use is yet another aspect that can make or ruin an
infant car seat best car seat. Ideally, you should be able detach the seat from its base with one hand while holding your child in the other. When you're ready to put the seat back on its base it should click into place and take less than one minute.
A lot of infant car seats are also suitable to use without a base. This is ideal for parents who frequently change between taxis or cars. Be sure to check the weight and height limits of the seat prior to buying it to ensure that your child isn't large. The majority of car seats have an infant insert that can be used for babies who are small (like in the early months or weeks of their lives) until their shoulders reach to the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the best option for an infant car seat. They offer convenience and security. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and feature an mechanism that allows them to be tucked in when not in use. However, they're generally larger than normal infant car seats and can be more difficult to tote around.
A load leg is a different thing to look for. This is an item that sits between your seat and the floor of your vehicle. It offers additional stability. While they're not required, they can be especially useful for smaller vehicles or cars with multiple seats.
Convenience
A good infant car seat will give you peace of mind knowing your baby is safe and comfortable on long drives. Look for features such as padded shoulder straps and extra padding around the neck to ensure that your baby is comfortable. Also look for several recline positions. You might want to look for car seats that have additional features like UPF 50+ shield and a canopy with zip-opening that provides full coverage.
When it comes to convenience, think about how easy the seat is to use, and also how it can be easily installed in a vehicle. You'll likely have to install the seat using both the LATCH system and the belt of your vehicle, so find the model that makes this process as easy as it can be.
For example our top pick for the best infant car seats is the Nuna Pipa comes with a turnkey installation process due to the steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that open from the base and flash green when connected. This feature, in conjunction with the recline angle indicators as well as colored belt-oath indicators make this model stand out from other infant car seats in terms of the ease of use.
The seat is also small and light, which makes it a great option for parents who need to travel with their baby or will be switching between multiple cars frequently. Additionally, it comes with an unrethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders that allow you to attach the harness with just one hand.
A slim shell that's less than 17 inches wide means that the infant seat is more comfortable than other seats on the market, and additional padding in the chest and shoulder areas will provide extra comfort. The seat is a bit more expensive than other models, but we believe the premium features such as the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth it.
Car seats for infants are a significant expense. With the proper information, you can narrow your choices down to a select few models that best suit your family. You can then focus on the important task - preparing for the arrival of your child!
