How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and can convert to both the high-back and backless booster.
The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an added benefit. Load legs are an additional useful feature. These are shock-absorbing elements which are attached to the base or car seats and limit movement during a crash.
Safety
They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely be required to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The dedicated infant car seat is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent but it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research before purchasing. Consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to provide to families.
You should also consider whether the seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, like an easy strap release with one hand or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These kinds of features can make buckling your baby faster and easier but remember that even the safest of seats can be a waste when you don't use them in a proper manner.
Other things to keep in mind are the width and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some can grow with your child and then convert to an adult booster simultaneously. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is an ideal choice.
In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically do not meet the highest safety standards for crash protection. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. If they are convertible, and are designed to be used by both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be positioned using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. You should be able to put in and remove the seat easily and quickly, particularly if you need to switch it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.
You should be able to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as move the seat when not in use. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. It is generally recommended to select a car seat for your child that grows with them until they reach 90% percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to incorporate other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with load legs, which can help stabilize the seat in a crash and reduces the force on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that is safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to consider when selecting the right car seat for your infant, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, like buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading.
The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are narrower than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or your siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions certain models are lighter. This can save you from having sore biceps when you carry it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For best car seat newborn uk can be rotated or be converted into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Some models come with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't necessary for a safe ride however they can improve the overall experience.
Parents want their infants to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Certain models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get a safe and comfortable experience. For instance, 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 also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and an indicator that lets you know when it's properly attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the variety of features available can make it difficult to decide what's best for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features like load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar, and no-rethread straps may increase the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your baby. You might also consider features that allow you to easily get your child into and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all cars.
One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.
Some models let you use the seat without a base, which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or if you are planning on changing cars often. Make sure you choose a model with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set properly.
Some features may be worth the extra cost, such as the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature and the canopy that expands and is locked 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 infant has finished using it is a nice bonus.
The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our product testers scored it highly in every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and converts directly into strollers (no need for separate stroller adapters). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.