20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Best Infant Car Seat
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that will grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight restriction.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an added benefit. Other useful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that help to limit the impact of a crash.
Safety
The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies the best, which is why they usually offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely need to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also offer the benefit of being designed to last for your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits in the same way that convertible car seats can.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent however it's a good idea to do your own research before making a purchase. Consider reading reviews by other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
Find features that can benefit your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features can assist in securing up your child, but remember that even the safest seats are useless if they aren't used properly.
Other factors to be aware of are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Others can expand with your child, and then convert to an adult booster in the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that can be installed using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient option.
In general, you should buy the most safe seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants are those that can fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or a rotation feature. It should be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from about $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.
Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the harness and headrest without taking the infant out of the seat. You should be able to set up and take it out easily and quickly, particularly if you need to switch it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.
It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as move the seat when not in use. Before you buy an infant car seat, you need to verify its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.
While federal safety standards are the minimum, a few manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the 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 safety and convenience features.
Comfort
The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of thick, breathable fabrics and ample padding for the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don't require the rethreading.
The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially in the event that you intend to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are tinier, making it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings seats. While all models come with weight and height limitations, some are lighter. This will help you from sore biceps when you carry it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats have additional features to allow them to be more flexible. For instance they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Other models have premium features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional security in the event of a crash. Although best car seats for newborns aren't essential for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.
Parents want their babies to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make simple, one-handed adjustments.
Design
The manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and convenience as their primary goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to determine which one is right for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat but improve the comfort of your infant. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats fit in every vehicle.
One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're strong or flexible. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to 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 without a base, which can be convenient if you take taxis often or plan on switching cars frequently. Make sure you choose a model with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed properly.
Certain features might be worth the extra cost for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, or the canopy that expands and secures in the position. Our product testers have also observed that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby has finished using it is a benefit.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that solve almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our product testers have rated it highly across the spectrum. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.