How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Parents should have car seats. But what makes one better than the other?
A specially designed infant seat is the best option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one-button handles. Also, consider security features like load legs and body cushions for the head and neck.
Safety
As every parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions that you can make. The right seat will make sure that your child is positioned correctly and properly secured in the event of a car crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US must adhere to strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Some seats have features designed to protect infants. For instance load legs help prevent movement in crashes by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Other features include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit babies the best. They usually have crash-tested inserts which aid in this. Maxi-Cosi Titan Plus Convertible ISOFIX Car Seat, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. They're also durable. through the first year of your baby's life and beyond, you can always purchase an used one at less than the price.
Another factor to consider is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are crucial but the manner you use your car seat is more important to your child's safety. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital found that 95% of parents have made at least one mistake when installing or altering their car seat.
It's important to familiarize yourself before your baby arrives with the proper guidelines for car seats. We recommend you pick an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough that it is easy to carry around your baby.
Examine if the infant car seat that you are considering fits the car's dimensions. If you're worried about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born for a hands-on instruction.
Convenience
Some infant car seats include additional features that make it easier to use. For example, they may include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they could feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat - especially when there is a child in your care.
The weight and the height limits of an infant car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your baby is growing quickly it could be worth purchasing a car seat with greater limits to ensure you can use it as long as you want.
In addition to the safety features, an infant car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for soft fabrics that feel comfortable under them. It's also an excellent idea to select an infant seat that has the option of lying flat, which allows your newborn to sit in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
Dr. Segura warns you that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat since they are not tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. You should also avoid purchasing used infant car seats, since they may have been in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.
While the best infant car seats cost anywhere from $100 to $600, there are a few characteristics that all of the top options have in common. They're all lightweight, easy to put in and take off, and comfortable for babies. Some models have additional features that make them more versatile. For example they can pivot or clip into strollers without adapters. For more details on the different options available, check out our review of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
The top infant car seats have comfort features that make it easy to get baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to grip both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. It is also important to consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a lighter one is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.
The weight and height limits of the infant car seats is also crucial. If you intend to keep the car seat, choose a model that will grow with your child and fit them into the stage of toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not purchasing a second seat.
It is also important to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's narrower or larger than other models. This could be beneficial for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter is a benefit if you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you intend to use your car seat in conjunction with strollers, you should look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with a wide range of strollers. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that will meet your needs.
To make it easier to use, check out the ratings a car seat receives for installation. Clear guides and indicators, like bubble levels or color-coding which indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level can help relieve stress for parents who are new. Some seats also have unique features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing parts found under the seat or at the base which extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force of a crash.
There are also some accessories that claim to improve your car seat's comfort and convenience, but remember that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't yet been tested or vetted for safety. "Anything you purchase that isn't directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
It can be a challenge for parents with young children to figure out the best infant car seats. It's crucial to know your budget and the features you'd like to have. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. However, it all comes down to comfort.
It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't as suitable for small babies and are only suitable until the age of one year. Some may even include crash-tested extensions kits which can help them last longer. They also tend to have more recline modes for proper positioning of smaller children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system, which can be helpful for new parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can do double duty.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial aspects for the majority of families. Some infant car seats, for example, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your car or next to other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps as you lift them up and transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents opt for an baby car seats that can be converted from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller without needing any additional attachments. This can save a ton of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands with your kids.
Other features that are useful include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic and a strap that is not rethread, and a simple installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from collapsing into the seat or carrier as they sleep.
Most car seats use flexible straps to secure the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and may limit the amount a seat moves in the event of an accident.
