A The Complete Guide To Infant Car Seats Best From Beginning To End
How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Parents must have car seats. But what makes one better than another?
A specially designed infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, making it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience features like premium connectors for lower anchors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, consider safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions that you can make. The correct seat will ensure they're positioned correctly in the car and that they're adequately protected in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. newborn car seat insert pushchairsandprams come with special features to protect infants, like load legs that reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat and others have built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your baby.
Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to be able to accommodate babies in the best way. They usually have crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller, making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. You can buy an used one for only a fraction of the cost, since they only last for your baby's first 12 months.
Another point to keep in mind is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are important but the way you use your car seat is even more crucial to the safety of your child. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents have made at least one mistake when installing or altering their car seat.
That's why it's a good idea to spend a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the proper car seat usage guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to easily carry with your child in it and has simple adjustments.
You should also see whether the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly by yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born to receive a hands-on instruction.
Convenience
Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they may include a base that the seat can be clicked into and out, or they may feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat - particularly in the event that you have a child in your care.
It is also important to take into consideration the weight and height limits for the infant car seat. If your child is growing quickly it could be worthwhile to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure you can use it as long as you want.
In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for cushioned straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders and soft fabric that feels soft under them for extended periods of time. Choose a seat that has the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to sit in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are many accessories for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura warns against buying items that are not included in the seat, as it is not tested in a crash and may be dangerous. You should also avoid purchasing used infant car seats since they may have been in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.
The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to over $600. However they all have some features. They're all lightweight, easy to install and detach and comfortable for infants. Some have extra features that make them more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. For more information on the various options available, take a look at our comparison of best infant car seats.
Comfort
The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easy to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to think about the weight of the seat--you'll be using it without a base, after all and a lighter weight is more suitable. The Baby Trend Secure-Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other factors to consider include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for a model that can grow with your baby and will allow them to transition into toddlerhood. This way, you'll be in a position to use it for longer and save money on a second car seat.
You should also consider the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be beneficial for smaller vehicles, and the latter is a benefit when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or need to drive with three children in the back seat at some time. If you're planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.
Review the rating of a car seat for the ease of use. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding which indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level, can ease stress for new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing components located beneath the seat or base that extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force during a crash.
There are also accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience of your car seat. However, remember that anything that is not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. "Anything you purchase that's not from the manufacturer, including a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For parents who are new, figuring out how to choose the most suitable infant car seat is a bit of a puzzle. It's important to know what your budget is and the features you want. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. But it all boils down to comfort.
For instance it's worth noting that dedicated infant seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some might have crash-tested extension kits to help them last longer). They also include more recline settings to ensure proper positioning for smaller children, and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that will perform double duty.
Another thing to keep in mind is that car seat size and weight are key factors for most families. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car, or to be used in conjunction with siblings seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents choose an infant car seat that can be converted from a base to a carrier and then convert into a stroller without any additional attachments. This will save you lots of time, particularly on days when you have to run the errands.
Other features that are useful include a harness that is not rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy installation process. Also, look for a head and body support insert, which will assist infants in avoiding slumping in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.
Most car seats use flexible straps to secure their lower anchor connectors however, some come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and reduces the amount a seat can move during the event of a crash.