8 Tips To Increase Your Good Infant Car Seats Game
How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes time to choose a car seat for your infant the choices can be overwhelming. However, there are a few things to look out for that will assist you in narrowing your choices.
You can make your parenting experience easier by adding premium features like load legs, an easy-to-tighten harness and a headrest that extends with the baby.
Easy to Use
If you're planning to purchase an infant car seat prior to when your baby is born, it's crucial to consider weight and height limitations. You want to make sure that the seat will last your child until they're outgrowing it, which is usually around the age of two. It is also important to think about whether you'd like an automobile seat that goes up to the 90th percentile in weight or height or one that's smaller or taller. This will help you determine the length of time you'll use the seat.
In addition to size and weight, it is important to consider the ease of the seat to set up and use. The ease of loosening or tightening straps, latch connectors, and the number of buckle positions have an impact on ease of use. You should also take into consideration whether the padding for your head and body are comfortable and if the seat has any convenience extras like an insulated cupholder or hidden harness pads.
The more user-friendly a seat is the more likely you'll utilize it properly which could affect your baby's safety. The easiest seats let you easily install them yourself with no fuss, as well as detach them from the base without much effort.
The weight of the car seat and its portability are other important aspects to take into consideration. You'll want to lift it up with a baby inside and take it around easily, especially if you're going on longer trips. You should also examine the seat's dimensions in terms of width and height to make sure it's appropriate for your vehicle. If you plan on using it with a stroller, search for a model that works with many strollers.
It is also important to look at the results of the tests conducted by the manufacturer. You can find these results on the official website of the manufacturer or by doing an online search. You can determine whether the car seat has an history of protecting infants from crashes and also what the policy for replacement.
Safety
When parents are shopping for a new infant seat, they need to be aware of whether the product will keep their baby secure. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA) that include rigorous crash testing and the five-point harness system.
There are other aspects to take into consideration when purchasing an infant car seat. It is crucial to choose the correct infant car seat based on the baby's weight and height as well as what kind of vehicle you own. It is also essential to ensure that the seat is correctly installed since improperly installed car seats could increase the chance of injury during a crash.
A high-quality infant car seat will come with clearly labeled installation guides, a simple-to-read bubble level indicator and an adjustable clip that prevents accidental removal of the base. It should also be lightweight and include useful features such as an expandable no-rethread harness as well as anti-rebound bars, a high-quality load leg which helps protect your newborn from head injuries in the event of an accident.
Some parents may be interested in a car seat for infants that can be transformed into a toddler car seat by pulling an lever on the base of the. This will give parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat up until their child is at the manufacturer's weight and height limits.
You should also think about how the car seat is to use on a regular basis. The straps should be easy to loosen and tighten and the buckle should be easy to snap in and out of place. The carrier should be light and easy to carry, even when empty. The base must be easy to take off without any hassle.
newborn car seat insert 's also a good idea to check for recalls on the car seat you're contemplating buying prior to making a purchase. This can be done via the NHTSA website. Opens in an entirely new window. It includes an index of searchable databases of all the current and previous recalls on car seats.
Comfort
When it comes to infant car seats, comfort is the main concern for parents. These rear-facing seats are designed to safeguard babies in the event of a crash, and many come with built-in body and head supports to ensure your baby is comfortable. Find a rear-facing seat with features like no-rethread straps and magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another feature that can make or break an infant car seat is how easy it is to install and use. Ideally, you should be able to remove the seat from its base using one hand while holding your baby in the other. And when you're ready to put the seat back on its base, it should click easily into position and take less than an hour.
Many infant car seats can also be used without a base, which is ideal for parents who often switch cars or use taxis. Make sure you know the weight and height limits of the seat before buying it to ensure that your child isn't large. Car seats usually come with an infant insert that can be used when your baby is tiny (like in the first few months or weeks of life) up to the point that their shoulders are at the lowest slot on their harness.
Convertible models are the ideal choice for an infant car seat. They are convenient and provide safety. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and come with an mechanism that allows them to fold up when not in use. However, they're typically larger than normal infant car seats and may be more difficult to tote around.
Another thing to think about is whether the seat comes with a load leg or brace that is placed between the seat and your vehicle's floor to offer extra stability. They aren't necessary however they can be very useful in smaller vehicles or for those with multiple car seat.
Convenience
A good infant car seat will give you peace of knowing your baby is safe and comfortable on long trips. Look for features like straps for your shoulders that are padded, additional padding in the neck area to allow your baby to get comfortable and a wide variety of recline positions, and more. You might also consider a car seat with additional features, like UPF 50+ sun-shields and a fully-coverage canopy with zip-open zippers that provides your baby with the protection they require.
Consider the ease of use and installation of the seat when it comes to convenience. You're likely to have to install your seat using the LATCH system and the belt for your vehicle. Select a model that allows for the most simple installation.
For instance, our top pick for the best infant car seats, the Nuna Pipa is equipped with a turnkey installation process due to the steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and flash green when connected. This feature, in conjunction with the recline angle indicators and colored belt-oath indicators make this model stand out among infant car seats in terms of the ease of use.
The seat is also small and light, which makes it an ideal choice for parents who must travel with their infant or will be changing between cars frequently. It also comes with a no rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders which permit you to secure the seat with just one hand.
The seat is narrower than other seats on the market and is a better fit for newborns. The additional padding for the chest and shoulder area adds comfort. The seat is more expensive than others, but we believe that the premium features, like the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth the cost.
Infant car seats are a significant expense, but with right information and considerations, you can narrow down your choices to a handful of models that will best suit your family's needs. You can then focus on the most important thing - getting ready for the arrival of your baby!