15 Amazing Facts About Good Infant Car Seats The Words You've Never Learned
How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes time to choose an infant car seat, the options can be overwhelming. There are a few steps you can do to narrow down your options.
You can make your parenting experience simpler by adding premium features like load legs, a quick-to-tighten harness, and a headrest which extends with the baby.
Easy of Use
When you are buying a car seat for your infant be sure to consider the weight and height limits. You should ensure that the seat will last until your child has outgrown it, which is typically around the age of two. It is also important to think about whether you'd like a car seat that can go up to the 90th percentile for height or weight or one that is a little smaller or taller. This will help you decide on how long you'll use the seat before moving to convertible car seats.
It is also important to consider how it is easy to install and use the seat. For example the ease of tightening and loosening straps and latch connectors, how easy it is to switch between rear and forward facing, and how many buckle positions there are all impact ease of use. It is also important to take into consideration whether the padding on your body and head are comfortable and if the seat comes with any extras that are convenient, such as a cupholder or hideaway harness pads.
The more user-friendly a chair is the more likely you'll use it correctly and have a big impact on your baby's safety. The most comfortable seats are those that let you easily install them by yourself with no fuss and also remove them from the base with a lot of effort.
Another thing to take into consideration is the car seat's weight and how easy it is to move. It is important to pick it up with a baby inside, and transport it with ease, particularly if you're going on longer journeys. Check the seat's width and height to ensure it's appropriate for your vehicle. If you plan to use it with a baby stroller pick a model that works with different strollers.
Lastly, you should be sure to look over the results of the crash tests conducted by the manufacturer. You should be able to look them up on the website of the car seat, or through an online search. You can find out whether the car seat has an history of protecting infants from injuries in crashes and also what their policy is for replacement.
Safety
The main concern of any parent looking to purchase an infant car seat is whether it will safeguard their child. All infant car seats are required to adhere to safety standards outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) It opens in a New Window, which include rigorous crash tests and a five-point harness system.
There are additional factors to consider when purchasing an infant car seat. It is crucial to select the appropriate infant car seat for your child in accordance with their weight and height, as well as the type of vehicle you drive. It is also crucial to ensure that the car seat is correctly fitted, as poorly installed car seats increase the risk of injury during the event of a crash.
A safe infant car seat should have clear installation instructions, a bubble indicator of the level that is easy to read, and the locking clip, which stops the base from being accidentally removed. It should be light, and include features that are convenient, such as an extended no-rethread strap, anti-rebound bar, and an extra-long leg that is designed to protect your baby's head in the event of an accident.
Some parents might be interested in a car seat for infants that can be made a toddler car seat by pulling an incline at the base. This will allow parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat up until their child is at the weight and height limits.
It is also important to consider how easy it will be to use the car seat on a daily basis. The buckle should be easy and easy to snap into and out of place. The straps need to be easy to loosen and adjust. The carrier should be light and easy to carry even when empty. baby car seat should also be simple to remove without any fumbling.
It's also a good idea prior to buying a car seat, to check whether there are any recalls. This can be done on the NHTSA website Opens in a new window, which includes a searchable database of all current and past car seat recalls.
Comfort
When it comes to infant car seats, comfort is the main factor for parents. These rear-facing car seats have been designed to protect your baby in the event of an accident. Many come with built-in head and back supports to ensure that they are comfortable. Choose a seat facing the rear with features like no-rethread straps as well as magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another factor that can make or break the infant car seat is how simple it is to install and use. Idealy you should be able of removing the seat from the base with one hand while holding the baby in the opposite. And when you're ready to place the seat back on its base it should click into the position, and it should take less than a minute.
Many infant car seats are suitable to use without a base. This is ideal for parents who often switch between vehicles or taxis. Be sure to check the weight and height limitations of the seat before purchasing it to ensure that your child isn't too large. The majority of car seats have an infant insert that is suitable for infants who are very small (like in the initial few months or weeks of their lives) until their shoulders get to the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the best choice for an infant car seat. They are convenient and provide security. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and feature the ability to tuck in when not in use. However, they're generally larger than normal infant car seats and may be more difficult to tote around.
A load leg is another feature to look for. It's a brace which sits between your seat and the vehicle's floor. It adds stability. They're not required, but they can be very useful in smaller vehicles or for those with multiple car seats.
Convenience
You can travel with confidence, knowing that your baby will be safe and comfortable. Look for features like straps for your shoulders that are padded, additional padding in the neck area to help your newborn fit comfortably with a variety of recline positions, and more. You might also want to look into a car seat that has additional features, like UPF 50+ sun protection and a canopy that zips open fully that gives your baby the protection they require.
If you're looking for convenience, consider how easy the seat is to use and also how it is installed in the vehicle. You'll likely have to install the seat using the LATCH system as well as the vehicle belt to ensure that it is an option that makes this as simple as is possible.
For example, our top pick for the best infant car seats is the Nuna Pipa, has an easy-to-install process due to the steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that open from the base and flash green when properly connected. This feature, in conjunction with the recline angle indicators as well as colored belt-oath indicators make this model stand out among infant car seats in terms of the ease of use.
The seat is compact and light. This makes it an excellent choice for parents who travel with their baby or who switch between cars often. It also comes with an unrethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders that allow you to attach the harness with just one hand.
A narrow shell that's less than 17 inches wide means that the infant seat is more comfortable than others on the market, and the extra padding in the chest and shoulder areas will provide extra comfort. The seat is a bit more expensive than other options but we believe that the premium features such as the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth the cost.
Car seats for infants are a significant expense. However, with the right information, you can narrow your choices down to a handful of models that best fit your family. You can then focus on the most important thing - getting ready for the arrival of your child!