How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Think about what you want from your car seat. "If you want a car seat to develop with your child you should consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. 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 well for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other features that are helpful include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that limit movement in a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are made to fit small babies best, and so they usually come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is important because you will need to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent, but it is still recommended to conduct your own research prior to buying. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing data to provide to families.
Find features that will be useful to your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features can make buckling up your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats can be a waste when you don't use them correctly.
The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. A lot of infant seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can grow with your Nania Topo Child Booster Seat in Blue and then convert to a booster simultaneously. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.
In general it's best to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, since the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. For example, it's best to avoid models that don't include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their seats.
Convenience
The ideal infant car seat for you is one that can fit comfortably in the vehicle of your family It is simple to install and use, and includes convenient extras like the built-in stroller or rotating ability. It should be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from around $180 to $500. They can cost more when they are convertible and will be used as a toddler and infant seat.
Convenience features include how easy it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant out of the seat. Installing and taking it off should be easy, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be light and come with clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can swiftly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles as well as harness straps. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, comfort and convenience 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 much more than just great crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It'Maxi-Cosi RodiFix S i-Size Booster Seat in Basic Black - Shop Now worth it to invest more in car seats with added convenience features and safety.
Comfort
The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and generous padding in the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort particularly if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Some infant car seats offer additional features that make them more adaptable like rotating options or the ability to connect to a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with top features such as an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars to add extra safety in the case of a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their infant. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Certain models go further to ensure their customers have an enjoyable and safe experience. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable, as well an indicator that lets you know when the seat is properly attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator let you know when it is properly attached to the base.
Design
kinderkraft junior fix car seat Booster gray seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, however the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. It is important to take into account factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of your baby. Look for features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat will fit in all cars.
One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to tighten and loosen, and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.
Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is convenient if your plan is to switch taxis or cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is properly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators as well as a built-in locking mechanisms.
Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that expands with the infant or a recline with five positions, as well as an extendable canopy that locks into place. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby has completed using it is a nice bonus.
The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across all categories. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and can be converted directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
