How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you want from your car seat. "If you're in need of a car seat that will adapt to your child's needs, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limit.
It also scores high for comfort and quality with soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base of the car seat that limit movement in a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are designed to fit tiny babies the
best car seats for newborns, which is why they typically have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will be required to transport your child's car seat out of the vehicle frequently. The infant car seats have the advantage of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.
It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
Find features that can benefit your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These features assist in securing up your child, but remember that even the most safe seats are useless in the event that they are not used in a proper manner.
The weight and the width of the car seat is also crucial. Many infant seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle Some can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat simultaneously. If you plan to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only the seat belt of your vehicle will be a convenient choice.
In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The
best car seats for infants are those that fit in your family vehicle, are simple to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible, and are designed to be used by both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.
Convenience features include how easy it is to put in the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.
You must also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have access to buckles as well as harness straps. It is also essential to verify the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has a load leg, which stabilizes the seat in a crash, and reduces forces on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats with added safety and convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when selecting a
baby car seat is the comfort, as infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the headrest and harness. They have easy-to-use adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need to be rethread.
The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to change cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings seats. While all models come with height and weight restrictions certain models are lighter. This could save you from sore biceps when you move it from one place to another or between cars.
Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more versatile, such as rotational options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with top features such as an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional security in the event of a crash. These features aren't essential for a safe ride but they can improve the overall experience.
Parents want their infants to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that informs you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the dizzying array of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is
best car seats for newborns for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and straps that do not rethread could increase the price of the seat, but will increase comfort for your baby. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Be sure to pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that's important. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're strong or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.
Some models allow you to use the seat without a base which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or if you plan to switch cars frequently. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed correctly.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature, or an extension canopy that locks into the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used for a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is an added benefit.
The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers have rated it highly all over the board. For instance, it's approved for use on planes, and has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.
