Choosing the Best Car Seats Infant
The best car seats infant meet federal safety guidelines and have clear, labeled installation instructions. This handy chart that opens in a new tab will aid you in determining if your child should be rear-facing or facing forward.
Consider adding features that are convenient, such as load legs, which reduce the chance of a crash to be a whirlwind. Also, think about whether you'll need a convertible car seat that turns into a stroller.
Simple to Use
The choice of a car seat for infants is crucial since it's the only one you'll use for the first year of life. Take into consideration safety guidelines from organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can also use sources such as Consumer Reports as well as advice from other parents.
In addition to checking the NHTSA rating and the vehicle's fit and vehicle fit information, you should look for a baby car seat that is easy to put together and install and easy to get your baby in and out of, has a comfortable padding, and convenient features. The best infant car seats come with self-checking mechanisms that give you either a color or bubble to let you know you've installed it correctly. This is extremely helpful for tired parents.
It is important to take into account the size of the seat and weight limits. If you are planning to use the car seat for an extended period, select one that can hold up to 90th percentiles of weight and height. It's hard to know what your child's preference is until you try it out but you can look for thick padding and soft materials that feel comfortable against their skin.
If you're not sure what to do to narrow your options, it's a great idea to talk to a certified child safety technician to find out more about the types of seats and the installation methods that are suitable for your particular vehicle. They can also offer advice on the proper size and comfort for your child as well as help you understand the crash policies of each brand.
Safety
While every car seat available on the market has to adhere to strict federal safety standards, there are lots of factors that can make one infant car seat less or more secure than the other. The best car seat for your child starts with making sure it meets the weight and height requirements of the manufacturer and your vehicle's. Refer to the owner's manual for your car for instructions on how to install a seat using lower anchors and tethers. (Or a seat belt in older cars that does not have LATCH). The next step is to consider specific features such as anti-rebound bars or load legs that help reduce the force of a crash. Finally, you'll want to consider whether or not convertible infant car seats that eventually transforms into a toddler's seat is compatible with your lifestyle and budget.
When it comes to safety the most important thing is to ensure that the baby's seat is installed correctly. Before installing a car seat, you need to read the user's manual or look up online videos on installation. Even if you think that your car seat is correctly installed it's best for a trained professional to check it.
The most effective method to make a vehicle seat more secure is to make it more comfortable to use. Easy-to-use seats are more likely to be correctly used. Look for features such as handles that grip the straps, and buckles with sensors.
In the same way, ensure you buy car seats from a reputable store or site. It's not recommended to purchase car seats from random sellers, or sites which ship directly from China. Also, avoid purchasing used car seats as they could be old or involved in an accident.
The comfort factor is also a crucial aspect, as a car ride can be stressful for a baby. Look for a seat with plush fabrics and padded straps that are comfortable on the neck and shoulders. Also, you should think about the weight of the seat -- you want to be capable of lifting it and carry it without harming yourself, especially if you plan to use it for extended periods of time.
Comfort
A high-quality car seat should not just protect your child but also be comfortable for a Maxi-Cosi Mica Eco Newborn Inlay: Seat Upgrade. Consider features like thick padding and harnesses that are easily adjusted and ventilation holes that keep your baby cool. It's essential to read reviews online and try the seat prior to buying.
Another aspect to consider is weight. All infant car seats conform to the safety standards of the federal government. However there are some that are lighter. This is especially true in the event that you plan to use the car seat in multiple vehicles, or attach it to a frame for your stroller. Nuna Pipa Aire RX, for instance, is the lightest convertible car seat available on the market. It weighs only 6.2 pounds (without the canopy or base). It was recently replaced by the cheaper, but still safe Pipa Lite Aire.
The seat is a bit narrower in comparison to other models. This is good for most vehicles, but could pose a problem in vehicles with the trunk is small. The shoulder straps aren't adjustable in height, and the belt guides do not provide enough padding to stop friction on your baby's shoulders.
Overall the seat is easy to set up and can accommodate most newborns comfortably. It has a higher limit for rear-facing than many other seats, and it is easy to switch between recline positions. It's priced in the middle of the range for a baby car seat but it has a stellar reputation for quality and comes with two cup holders.
There are a lot of options when it comes to selecting a car seat for your infant. You don't have to be intimidated by the options available if you research before you purchase. Be sure to consider your vehicle's fit with safety and comfort features, and the price. You can determine the best car seat for your child if you consider these factors. Keep in mind that regardless of how good the car seat is it's not as safe if it's not installed correctly.
Easy Installation
Installing car seats correctly is crucial to keep your baby safe. That's why ease of installation is one of our most important considerations when selecting the right car seat for your infant. A lot of the top infant car seats have self-checking indicators like color or bubble indicators that inform you whether the car seat is securely installed, saving you from potentially dangerous mistakes. Certain models include self-checking features on the base. This can be especially useful if you switch the seat frequently between cars.
The most effective infant car seats make it easy to adjust or loosen the harness straps, without the requirement of the use of a manual or a tool. This feature is particularly useful for preemies or newborns who require a secure harness to provide adequate support. A slick, tightening mechanism is also vital for avoiding any frustration when you have a wriggly baby and need to fasten the seat quickly.
The best infant car seats are easy to move around, and we love models that don't feel too heavy with a child in them. Carrying a car seat that is too heavy could cause back and arms pain So it's important to pick a seat that has a weight range that feels comfortable for you.
We also consider the size and weight of the base and the seat itself, as you don't want a seat that's too large for your car or will require some difficult maneuvering to get it out and in. We prefer seats that are narrower and can be tucked into three or two rows. They are also less likely than seats with larger widths to rub against one another.
Our favorite model in this category is the Chicco KeyFit line, which received high marks from many parents and experts we surveyed including CPST instructor Kecia Healy. The KeyFit line comes with features that make it easy to set up, such as the recline foot that is spring-loaded and a bubble indicator on the base to help you get it perfectly level. Healy also lauds the tightening mechanism, which makes use of the SuperCinch belt tightening system that makes it easier to fix the seat to the floor.
