How To Save Money On Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options to choose a car seat for their baby the infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, therefore they have a shorter lifespan.
The infant carrier seats are usually compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to make a travel system. This lets parents take their baby from the car into a stroller easily without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about the security of an infant's carrier seat, particularly when they buy one for their first time. But, like any car seat on the market, an infant's seat is designed to be as safe as is possible to protect your newborn during the event of a crash. They are most often positioned to the rear, making them the best option for infants who face the most danger of injury in a vehicle accident.
They also have extra padding for additional head protection and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from shifting during a collision. This is particularly crucial for babies with necks that are large and heads that can be easily injured in an abrupt stop or crash. In addition, many infant carrier seats are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a travel system that can easily be moved from your car to the stroller and back again without disturbing your baby.
Many infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you bring your child wherever you go. This is great when you regularly take a taxi or ride-sharing service as it makes traveling on planes with your infant much easier as well.
Some models of infant carrier seats are even capable of being used on strollers with no base, allowing you to keep your baby safe on all types of excursions and trips. This is a great option for grandparents who want to assist you in transporting your child, too!
It is also important to remember that a child's car seat is not meant to be left unattended in a vehicle, as babies may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and possibly suffocation. This is why it is important to review the safety instructions thoroughly prior to using an infant car seat in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system", which is a combination of the car seat base and frame of the stroller. These are able to snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies, as they allow parents the ability to move their child from a car to a stroller without waking him up. This feature is the main reason that more than 80% of Babylist parents buy an infant seat.
Many infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to take their baby out of the car and put it on a frame so they can walk around a park or supermarket. This is a fantastic feature to look for when you are considering using a ride-sharing or taxi service. Most of these services require children to be in a safety seat.
Car seats for infants are typically smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are an ideal choice for families who like to travel. Furthermore, car seat inserts for newborns of infant car seats come with an e-handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful if you are planning a trip you do not want to wake up your sleeping baby for.
Car seats for infants only last until your baby becomes a toddler and they have outgrown the weight and height limitations Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing seat for newborns, then converted to a forward facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great option when you want to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as is possible. There is even an convertible seat that can convert into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this feature when looking through choices!
Easy of Use
A baby carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat that connects to a base in your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants secure until they reach the weight and height requirements of a booster. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it easy to move your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap time.
Look for an infant seat that is a detachable carrier you can attach to the base of a stroller or car. This will allow you to quickly get your child in and out of the car, particularly when their nap is coming to end or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to ensure they're positioned correctly for your child. If the straps have been placed too low or high they are not able to be used properly in a crash, and they could be dangerous.
Certain infant car seats include lower anchors that are able to be used in lieu of the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as when traveling on planes. Be sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment system, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirement for a booster seat. They can be used combination with strollers however they do not offer the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats convert into boosters, but they are typically heavier and less portable and therefore difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children around busy areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and especially infant car seats, is a challenge. It is crucial to do so safely and correctly. This can be affected by the position of the seat and the angle of the base, and also the way you use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base that is in the vehicle, a combination commonly referred to as a traveling system. They are designed for rear-facing use and are safer than forward-facing. Many car seats come with an integrated angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is in the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base might also come with an adjustable feature to change the angle.
Another thing to consider is if the seat has a way to adjust the shoulder strap height without having to disengage and rethread the straps. This is a huge time saver as you'll need to do it multiple times throughout the car seat's use by your infant.
Certain cars have a hard point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease that runs between the seat back cushion and the bottom cushion. These hooks should snap into place easily as they are custom-made for the specific seat. When they are connected to the seat, you might hear a distinct noise.
It's also a good idea to test out the car seat with a child first to make sure it is suitable for your family. If the car seat does not fit into the base, or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to find another option.
Some car seats are equipped to be used without the base. This is helpful for those who use public transportation or taxi services such as Uber. It is possible to remove and install the seat without the base by pressing a lever. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. Many will give you an explicit "click" when it is secure enough.