How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're looking for a car seat to grow with your child, you should consider an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the base or car seats and limit movement during a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is crucial since you'll need to carry your child's car seat out of the vehicle frequently. The infant car seat that swivels car seat is designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child outgrowing its weight or height limit.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent, but it is still recommended to conduct your own research before purchasing. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash test data to share with families.

Find features that will benefit your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats will not be useful if they aren't used properly.

The weight and width of the car seat is also crucial. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child and transition to a booster seat at the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great option.

In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family and are easy to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be affordable. Infant seats range in price from about $180 to more than $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without having to remove the baby from the seat. You need to be able to put in and remove the seat easily and quickly, particularly if you need to switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as move the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have the thick, breathable fabric as well as generous padding on the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of a baby car seat can also impact comfort, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which could help keep your biceps from getting sore when you carry it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats uk car seats come with extra features to allow them to be more flexible. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Some models come with high-end features like harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional security in the event of a crash. These features aren't essential to ensure safety, however they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable car seat for their baby. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new.

Certain models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get a safe and comfortable experience. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seat newborn car seats create them with safety and convenience as their main goals. However, the broad range of features can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like an load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could increase the price of the seat but improve comfort for your baby. Consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base because not all seats will fit in every car.

One of the most important aspects is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. Also, you should be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if there is a single-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which can be useful if your plan is to switch taxis or cars frequently. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers have noticed the fact that a seat can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby is finished using it is a benefit.

Doona is a car seat for infants that will delight parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers scored it highly in all categories. For instance, it's approved for travel on airplanes, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need for separate stroller adapter). The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.