How Infant Car Seats Best Its Rise To The No. 1 Trend On Social Media
How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What makes one seat better than another?
A specially designed infant seat is the best option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, which makes it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, like premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look out for safety features such as load legs and head and body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you that choosing the best car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The right seat will make sure that your child is positioned correctly and properly protected in case of a car crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, like load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your baby.
Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit tiny babies most comfortably and usually include extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. You can buy a used one at less than the cost because they're only good for the first 12 months.
Another point to keep in mind is that even though a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important, the method you use your car seat is even more crucial for your child's safety. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at least one serious mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.
That's why it's a good idea to take a few moments to learn the proper car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We suggest that you select a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around your child.
Examine if the infant car seat you're considering fits your requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're concerned about your capability to install and operate the car seat properly yourself, you may consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born to receive a hands-on instruction.
Convenience
Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it simpler to use. Some infant car seats have features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they may include a base that the seat can be clicked into and out, or they could include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can help make it easier to install and detach the car seat, especially if you have another child to take care of.
The weight and the height limits of an infant car seat are also important to take into consideration. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly it could be worth the cost to invest in a car seat with higher limits so that you can use it for as long as possible.
Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Choose cushioned straps that don't touch or squeeze their shoulders and soft fabric that is soft beneath them for extended durations. Select a seat that is in the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to sit upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are a number of accessories for infant car seats but Dr. Segura warns against buying items that are not included in the seat because it is not tested in a crash and may be unsafe. Avoid purchasing a used infant car seat because they may have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn.
The top infant car seats are priced from $100 to over $600. However they all share some characteristics. They're all lightweight, simple to put in and take off, and comfortable for babies. Some models have additional features that make them even more versatile. For example they can pivot or clip into strollers without the need for adapters. For more details on the various options available, check out our review of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
Top infant car seats come with features for comfort that make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that eliminates the need to grip both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you'll want to take into consideration how much the seat weighs--you'll be using it without a base for instance, so a lighter one is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat, choose one that can grow with your child and fit them into toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not purchasing an additional seat.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's narrower or larger than other models. This can be a boon for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter could be beneficial for families with two children in car seats that are back-to-back or require driving with three children in the back seat at some time. If you plan 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 like Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this need.
To make it easier to use, look up the score the car seat is given for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color coding--can help reduce stress on new parents. Some seats also come with innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components found under the seat or base which extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the impact force in a crash.
There are also accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything that is not included with the seat hasn't passed safety tests. "Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, even an accessory like a harness or blanket you shouldn't put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For parents who are new, figuring out how to select the best car seat for your infant can be a bit of a puzzle. It's important to know the budget you have set and what features you're looking for. There are plenty of different options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot comes down to what's suitable for your baby.
For instance it's worth noting that infant-specific seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some may come with extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to help them last longer). They also include more recline settings to ensure proper positioning for small children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which can be helpful for parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can serve two purposes.
Another important thing to remember is that car seat width and weight are important elements for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, for instance, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your vehicle or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are heavy enough to really test your biceps strength and transfer from stroller to car.
In terms of convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats with the capability to move from the base to the carrier and then snap into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're running errands with your kids.
Other useful features include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Also, look for visit the up coming document and body support insert, which can assist infants in avoiding slumping in the carrier or seat when they are asleep.
Some car seats feature rigid latches which flip out from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat can move during the event of a crash.