How To Save Money On Infant Carrier Seat
What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When choosing best car seats infant have two choices: infant car seats or convertible car seats. Infant car seats are only suitable for rear-facing use, therefore they are less durable.
Infant carriers can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are available separately). This creates an ideal travel system. This lets parents get their baby out of the car to a stroller with ease without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, particularly when they are buying one for the first time. But, like all car seats available on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as safe as is possible to protect your infant in the event of an accident. They are most often positioned to the rear, making them the ideal choice for infants that are at highest risk of injury in a car accident.
They also come with extra padding for additional head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from shifting in a collision. This is particularly important with young infants, with large heads and necks that are susceptible to injury from the force of a collision or sudden stop. The majority of infant carriers can be used with strollers, creating a system which allows you to easily transfer your baby from your car to the stroller without having to worry about them.
The majority of infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is great when you regularly use ride-sharing or taxi services as it makes travelling on airplanes with your child much more comfortable also.
Some infant carrier seats are designed to be used on strollers without the base, allowing you to ensure your baby's safety throughout all sorts of adventures and trips. This is a great option for grandparents who wish to help you transport your child.
It is important to remember that an infant car seat is not meant to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even suffocation. It is essential to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new place.
Portability
Many infant car seats come as part of a "travel system" that is a combination of the car seat base and the stroller frame. They snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for babies since they permit parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and back without having to awake them. This feature alone makes it the main reason why more than 90% of Babylist parents register for an infant seat!
Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to take their baby out of the car and put it on a frame to allow them to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is an excellent feature to look for when you plan on using a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require a child to be in a safe seat.
As opposed to convertible car seats that must be kept in the car, infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter making them a great choice for families on-the-go. In addition, certain brands of infant car seats have the option of a handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is particularly helpful in the event of a trip scheduled that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby up for!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants, but can be converted to a forward-facing seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great choice if you want to keep your baby in a secure car seat for as long as possible. You can find a convertible car seat that transforms into a high-back booster seat when your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to search for this when browsing the options!
Ease of Use
A rear-facing infant car seat is a car seat that snaps into the base of your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and babies safe until they meet the height and weight requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it easy to move your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap time.
Look for a baby seat that is an adjustable carrier that it can be attached to the base of a stroller or a car. This will make it easier to get your baby in and out of the vehicle particularly when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to ensure that they are properly positioned for your child. If the straps have been placed too high or low they won't be able to be used correctly in a crash, and they could be dangerous.
Some infant car seats include lower anchors that are able to be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as when traveling on airplanes. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors have an European routing route and are easy to install and release and look for a click that sounds like an alarm when the seat is secured properly. It's important to choose the seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's Click Connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant carrier. They can be used up until your child is at the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used combination with strollers however they do not offer the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters. However they tend to be larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, are difficult to install. It is important to do it safely and correctly. The factors that affect this include the position of the seat as well as the angle of the base, and how to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are connected to a base inside the vehicle. This type of setup is commonly known as"travel system. "travel system". They are designed to be used rear-facing which is more secure than forward-facing. Most car seats have an integrated angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base may include an adjustable angle.
Another feature to look out for is if the seat comes with a way to adjust the shoulder strap height without the need to remove and rethread the straps. This could be a huge time saver, as it is likely to require multiple times during the course of the use of a car seat for infants.
Lastly, some cars have hard points in the back seat specifically designed for infant car seats. These are usually hidden in the crease that runs between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks are designed for the particular seat and will snap into place with only a little effort. They could also make a distinct sound when they are securely attached.
It is also a great idea to try the car seat with an infant first to make sure it's suitable for your family. If your child isn't comfortable or the car seat doesn't click into the base, you should look for another option.
Certain car seats can be put in without a base, which is helpful if you take public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. You can usually remove and install the car seat without a base by pressing a lever or button. Check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you a "click" to inform you when it's secured.