What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

Parents have two options to choose the right car seat for their child: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, so they have a shorter lifespan.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. This allows parents to get their baby out of the car into a stroller easily without causing any disturbance to them.

Safety

Many parents are worried about the safety of an infant carrier seat, especially when they purchase one for their first time. However, as with all car seats available on the market, an infant's seat is designed to be as secure as is possible to protect your newborn during a crash. Typically, they are positioned with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the best option for infants with the greatest danger of injury in a crash.

These seats also feature extra padding to provide additional head protection, as well as lower anchors that hold the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event of an accident. This is particularly important for young babies with necks that are large and heads that are easily injured in a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a travel system which allows you to easily move your baby from your car to your stroller without having to worry about them.

In addition, many infant car seats have bases that can be used in other vehicles to allow you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is great for those who frequently take a taxi or ride-sharing service and can make traveling on planes with your infant a lot easier also.

Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that don't have an element of base. This lets you keep your child safe on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who want to help with the transportation of your child!

It's also important to keep in mind that an infant carrier seat is never meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as infants can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and even death. It is important to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new location.

Portability

Many infant car seats are designed as part of the travel system, which is which is a combination of the car frame and seat base which snap into one another for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they permit parents to move their child from the car to the stroller, and vice versa without having to wake them up. This alone is an important reason why more than 90% of Babylist parents register for a seat for their infant car seat in front seat!

Many infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and onto a stroller frame to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is an excellent feature to look out for if you are planning to use a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require children to be in a safety seat.

As opposed to convertible car seats, which are required to be in the vehicle the infant car seat that swivels car seats are typically smaller and lighter making them a convenient option for families who are on the move. Furthermore, certain models of infant car seats come with a carrying handle that parents can use to transport the seat on their own. This is particularly helpful when you have a trip planned that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby!

While infant car seats only last until your baby is an adult and has outgrown the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing baby car seat, then converted to a forward facing car seat for older children. These seats are a great choice for parents who are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as is possible. There is a convertible car seat that can be converted into a high-back booster seat when your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when you are looking at options!

Easy of Use

An infant car seat is an infant car seat that faces the rear and can be connected to a base in your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and babies secure until they reach the height and weight requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.

Find an infant seat with an attachable carrier that it can be attached to the base of a stroller or a car. This will make it easier to get your child into and out of the car, especially when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to ensure that they are properly positioned for your child. If the straps aren't high enough or too low, they're not safe. high, they aren't utilized correctly and could be dangerous in the event of a crash.

Certain infant car seats come with lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is ideal for taxi rides or when traveling on airplanes. It is important to ensure that the lower anchors have a European routing path and are easy to set up and remove and look for an audible click when the seat is properly secured. It's also beneficial to locate a seat that has an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment system, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.

Convertible car seat is the next step after an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child reaches the height or weight requirements for a booster. They can be used with a stroller but don't provide the convenience and fit of an infant car seat. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally bigger and more difficult to transport which makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children in busy areas.

Installation

Car seats, particularly infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is crucial to do so safely and correctly. The factors that affect this include the seating position and the angle of the base, and the best way to use the handle.

Most infant car seats are made to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a combination often called a travel system. These seats are designed to be used rear-facing and are safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have an angle indicator built in that you can use to check whether the seat is at the right semi-reclined level for your child. The base may have an angle adjustor.

You should also check if the seat permits you to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to unthread and rethread them. This can be a time-saver since you will have to do this several times throughout the child's car seat use.

Lastly, some cars have hard points in the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks are designed for the specific seat and are designed to be able to snap into place with minimal effort. When they are in place to your seat, you will hear a distinct noise.

It's also a good idea to test the car seat with a child to make certain that it is suitable for your family. If your child isn't comfortable or the car seat isn't able to fit into the base, it's best car seats for newborns to look for another alternative.

Certain car seats can be able to be installed without a base. This is helpful if you use taxi or public transportation such as Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to remove and install the vehicle without the base, but most will allow you to do this with the simple press of a button or lever. Many will even provide an explicit "click" to indicate that it is secure enough.