What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

Parents have two options when choosing the right car seat for their baby carseats for infants and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are suitable for rear-facing use which means they have a shorter lifespan.

Baby carrier seats are typically compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to make a travel system. This lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disrupting their sleep.

Safety

Many parents are concerned about the security of an infant's carrier seat, especially when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was created to safeguard your baby as safely as possible in a crash. They are usually placed to the rear, making them the ideal choice for infants who face the most risk of injury in a best car seats for newborns accident.

They also come with additional padding for head protection, as well as lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in case in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young infants, who have big necks and heads that are susceptible to injury from the force of a crash or sudden stop. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a system which allows you to easily transfer your baby from your car to your stroller without disrupting them.

Additionally, most infant car seats come with bases that can be used in other vehicles to permit you to take your child with you no matter where you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services often. It also makes travelling with a baby on planes much more convenient.

Certain infant car seats that swivel carrier seats are suitable for use on strollers that do not have a base, allowing you to ensure your baby's safety throughout all sorts of trips and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to help with transporting your child, too!

It's also important to keep in mind that an infant carrier seat is not meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as babies could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and even death. It is essential to read the instructions before using an infant seat in a new place.

Portability

Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system" that is an amalgamation of the car seat base and frame for the stroller. These are able to snap together 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 needing to awake them. This alone is a huge reason more than 90% of Babylist parents sign up for a baby seat!

Many infant car seats work with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and put them on a stroller frame for walking through a park or a grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to look out for if you are planning to use an Uber or taxi service. Most of these services require children to be in a safe seat.

In comparison to convertible car seats, which must remain in the car baby car seats are typically lighter and more compact making them a convenient option for families that are constantly on the move. Some best infant car seat car seats have a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly useful when you're planning a trip you do not want to awake your baby for.

Infant car seats last until your baby is a toddler and they outgrow the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing seat for newborns, then transformed into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These seats are an excellent choice if you want to keep your baby in a secure car seat for as long as possible. You can find a convertible car seat that can be converted into a high-back booster seat when your child is too big for the harness (or is over the limit on weight and height). Make sure to look for this when looking through choices!

Ease of Use

A rear-facing infant car seat is car seat that snaps into base of your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and newborns secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap.

Look for an infant seat that is an adjustable 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 ending or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. Check the shoulder strap slots to ensure they're properly positioned for your child. If the straps have been placed too high or low they won't be able to be used correctly in a crash and could be dangerous.

Certain infant car seats come with lower anchors that can be used in lieu of the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as when traveling on planes. It is important to ensure that the lower anchors have an European routing path and are easy to install and release and look for an audible click to ensure the seat is secured properly. It's also beneficial to locate a seat with an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment features, like the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.

Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child is their weight or height requirements for the booster seat. They can be used in combination with a stroller, but they don't offer the convenience or fit for a newborn of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically larger and less portable and therefore difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children in busy areas.

Installation

Car seats, especially infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is essential to install car seats safely and correctly. Some factors that can impact this include the seating position and the angle of the base and the way to use the handle.

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

Also, make sure that the seat can adjust the height of the shoulder straps without having to unthread and rethread them. This can be a significant time saver, since it will likely require multiple times throughout the use of a car seat for infants.

Finally, some cars come with hard points on the back of the seat specifically designed for infant car seats. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are custom made for the specific seat and should snap into place with only a little effort. When they are connected to the seat, you might hear a distinct noise.

It's also a good idea to test the car seat with an infant first to ensure it is suitable for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat isn't able to connect to the base, you should search for a different option.

Certain car seats are able to be installed without a base. This is helpful when you travel by public transportation or taxi services such as Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer for removing and putting in the car seat without base, but the majority will permit you to do it with the simple press of a button or lever. A lot of them will give you the "click" to inform you when you're safe.