The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Infant Car Seat
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Think about what you'd like from your car seat. "If you want a car seat that can develop with your child you should consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one.
It also scores high for comfort and quality with soft, machine-washable padding. Other helpful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base of the car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are designed to fit small babies the best, which is why they generally come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is important because you will be required to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last for the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them exceeding their weight or height in the same way that the convertible car seat might.
It's a good idea to do some research prior to you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to provide to families.
Find features that can benefit your family. These include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats can be dangerous when they aren't used properly.
Other things to keep in mind are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child and convert to a booster in the same time. If you intend to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a great option.
In general it's best to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, as the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. For instance, it's recommended to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.
Convenience
The best infant car seat is the one that will fit in your family's vehicle It is simple to install and use, and has useful features like a built-in stroller or rotation ability. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive if they are convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat.
Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.
It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles and rotate the seat when not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, be sure to check the weight and height limits. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. As a rule, choose a seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach the 90% percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include additional features such as crash-testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that provides more than just good crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added convenience features and safety.
Comfort
The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature thick, breathable fabrics and generous padding in the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don't require to be rethread.
The size and weight of an infant car seat can affect the comfort of your child, particularly if you plan to change cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are tinier making it easier to fit them in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings seats. While they all have weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This will help you from having sore biceps when you carry it between cars.
Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable. For example, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Other models include premium features like harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.
Parents want their babies to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking fresh.
Certain models go further to ensure their customers have the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly secured. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator indicate whether it's securely attached to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the myriad of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limits, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats fit in every vehicle.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. You should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which can be convenient if you take taxis often or plan on changing cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and integrated locking mechanism.
Other features worth the extra cost include a headrest that increases with the baby or a recline with five positions, as well as an extendable canopy that locks into place. Our product testers have noticed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby is finished using it is a plus.
Doona is an infant car seat that will pamper parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers gave it top marks across every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.