How to Find the
Best Car Seat InfantCar seats for infants are available in a wide range of prices, depending on the materials, styles and accessories. You don't need to spend a lot on a good infant car seat.
Our product testers rated the top-performing infant car seats in five important categories including safety, user-friendliness as well as reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The best infant car seat is rigorously tested for crash safety. They also have clear instructions and features that make it easy to install the seat correctly, like bubble levels and padded seats that provide adequate support for babies. We also enjoyed seats that were simple to adjust and didn't require the baby to be removed from the car. Parents are more likely to use properly fitted harnesses if the process is simple and fast.
We looked for seats that can be washed in the washing machine and models that could be used in conjunction with the base to decrease the chance of a buckle being dropped or lost in washing. If you intend to use your car seat regularly particularly on public transportation, it's worth investing in a model with self-retracting belts and a reclining feature. This will help ease the pressure on your spine.
Choosing an infant car seat is among the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we recommend doing your research on it thoroughly before buying. Check out reviews from consumers and advocacy groups for children. Before you buy a new car seat it's an excellent idea to check the manufacturer website and look up any recalls.
A car seat for infants is a small, lightweight car seat that is designed for infants and babies who are up to their first birthday. They are typically used with the rear facing. Most children outgrow their car seats by the time they reach the age of one or, in the case of convertible or all-in-one car seats, are transitioned to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used rear-facing until the child reaches the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. Then they should be switched to forward-facing car seats. A convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used both ways, but it's safer for your baby to be in an rear-facing car seat until they're big enough for a front-facing seat.
Easy of Use
It is essential to select a car seat that's simple to use for parents and children, even though safety is the most important aspect. This is why we consider things like buckles, harness adjusters and handles during our tests, and also how easy it is to install the car seat in the vehicle. If a car seat is hard to use, it could end up being used incorrectly which could compromise the safety of your child.
Take a look at meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST), before you bring your child home, if you are worried about correctly installing your infant car seat. They will show you how to use the seat and show you a video of the crash test. Make sure to read your car seat's instruction manual. This will make it easier to avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.
Contrary to convertible car seats, which can be used for older children and toddlers baby car seats last until your
baby seat outgrows them or reaches the highest weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. That's why it's a good choice to select the right seat that can be used as long as you can before changing your child into a larger car seat.
Some infant car seats can be converted into a stroller that will give you more bang for your money. But it's important to note that any car seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than seats that only work as an infant car seat.
Another factor to be aware of is how wide your infant's car seat is, which will affect how easy it is to fit in your vehicle and whether it's compatible with other seats in the back row. It's also important to consider how heavy it is, since lighter seats are easier to lift in and out of the
car seat newborn insert. This is especially important when you plan to use your infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. We prefer lighter, more narrow models in our best infant car seat review.
Reliability
Your child's safety is the top priority. And while every car seat on the market must comply with federal safety standards, some go above and beyond.
best car seats newborn of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance comes with two-stage body support that keeps babies comfortable and cozy and is compatible with many popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it a high score in the crash test.
Remember, however, even the most reliable infant car seat will only be as safe in the way it is set up and used. A poorly installed or used car seat is a significant danger for infants as well as children of all ages. This is why Vybiralova Stanton suggests reading the manufacturer's manual and looking for videos of installation online. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure that you have the right seat for your car and your baby," she says.
The most reliable infant cars seats come with features that make it simple to install and use, such as an easy-to-use harness buckle release and magnetic strap holders that don't cling on clothing, and a no-rethread harness. They also feature durable materials and a range of adjustment mechanisms that operate effortlessly.
Another feature to look for is whether the infant car seat has a base that can be used with or without the use of the use of a vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This is a benefit for parents who use taxis frequently or use their seat in multiple vehicles.
It's also worth considering how much the car seat for infants weighs and if you can easily transport it around. Certain models are heavier than others and can strain your shoulders and arms particularly when you have children to carry around or are traveling long distances.
In the end, a baby car seat with a lower cost will save you money and time. But, be wary to buy one just because it's
cheap infant car seats. A price that is low could mean that the manufacturer has cut corners on safety features or quality. Before making a decision it's a good idea to look over reviews and seek suggestions from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seat infants make it easy to ensure your baby's safety. This means they are easy to put in place, have features that make buckling up and unbuckling a breeze, and include other convenience amenities like comfortable fabrics and a no-rethread harness. They also have design features which make them safer in a crash. For example they have load legs that absorb shock. They are parts that are located at the base of the seat. This helps reduce movement and consequently the force of impact on your baby.
If you're driving a smaller vehicle, or if you plan to switch between vehicles often, look for an infant car seat that is small and slim. This kind of seat can fit easily in smaller cars and some come with a handle that makes them easy to carry. They are also often lighter than convertible car seats, which means they're easier to lift in and out of the vehicle.
This infant car seat also converts into a baby stroller without needing an additional attachment. This is ideal for families who are always on the move or those living in cities that have public transportation. It is a little heavier than a standard infant car seat, but it's still not as big as a convertible model.
The top-rated infant car seat is easy to use, and our product testers loved it for its harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders that make it quick to get the baby in and out. It also comes with a variety of features that make it more convenient, such as a four-position recline with a button that is operated by a button, and steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and turn green once secure.
The choice of the right infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make as you become a new parent. That's why it's so important to read reviews and research of various options prior to making a choice. You want to make sure that the car seat that you select is designed with your child's security in mind, and that it conforms to all safety standards in the country.
