What Experts From The Field Want You To Know?
Infant Car Seats on Sale
Car seats for infants are a must-have piece of baby equipment. Many come with strollers to create an easy-to-travel system. Look for models with a wide range of adjustments to accommodate growing children.
Some infant seats are also fitted with the seatbelt (no base) making them suitable for parents who take taxis or public transportation.
1. Big Box Retailers
Car seats are costly however they're essential. This is why it's important to be aware of when your preferred car seat brands are for sale. Target's annual trade-in sale, and Nordstrom's anniversary sale (held every summer) are two of the best times for baby car seats to be on sale. These sales offer a broad selection of car seats, including Graco, Baby Trend, Chicco, and Britax. Some even offer discounts up to 50%.
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Erin Carnahan is the Editor in Chief of Babylist.
Edited by Emily Morris, Senior Editor
Last updated October 11, 2018 Babylist is an independent guide to the most suitable equipment for your family.
2. Online
We all know how quickly children develop. Their clothes aren't the only thing they outgrow. New parents also make massive purchases of car seats which are replaced once the child is at the weight and height limits for their seats. To help ease the blow on your budget, online retailers are a great place to find infant car seats on sale.
One store that is known for their wide range of open box and overstock baby equipment is Amazon. Amazon offers a variety of options that include Graco and Chicco infant car seats for sale. One model to keep on your radar is the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX. It's a complete car seat that can be used as an infant seat from birth up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing position, and as a booster seat with a high back, or an unbackless booster for children up to 120 pounds.
The seat's perks include easy installation with recline foot that is spring-loaded and a bubble indicator on the base, plus a LockStrong mechanism that tightens your vehicle seat belt over the buckle and locks it. It's also easy to carry around when it's not in use because its LATCH connectors fold into the base. Another option to check out is the Nuna Pipa Urbn that is part of a travel system that does not require an additional base. It comes with several other features that are usually reserved for higher-end models, such as the ability to remove the seat pad quickly to make washing easier, a no rethread harness and a handle that can be adjusted to make carrying it easier.
Another premium car seat made by a brand that's known for its luxury feel is the Britax ClickTight One4Life. try this is a second all-in-one seat that can be used in both the rear-facing position and forward-facing position from birth until 120 pounds. It's simple to install using the ClickTight system and features a five-point head and neck support system, as well as nine recline positions that make it a comfortable seat for kids.
Target's annual trade-in event is a great opportunity to save money if you are a parent with an old vehicle that needs to retire or be replaced. The retailer will offer two coupons worth 20 percent off car seats and other baby items in-store or online.
3. Brand Websites
The most effective infant car seats tend to include more features of a premium quality than their cheaper counterparts. Some include rotating features so you can swivel the seat to face you while you load your baby in and out of it. Other options, such as harnesses that are adjustable and no-rethread bars, can increase comfort on the ride, Dilts notes. You may also want to consider a load leg which is a brace that attaches to the base and helps with stability.
It is essential to look through all the alternatives before making your final decision Be sure to compare prices from various retailers and on the internet. You may be able get a better price by shopping open box or items that are in stock, for example. But it's important to make sure that the car seat you pick meets all of the minimum safety requirements, as outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Some parents prefer an exclusive brand for their infant car seat since they are certain of the safety and quality of the seat. Some prefer the convenience of purchasing an unbranded model that is available at a budget-friendly price. It's up to you to decide which one is better for your family, but you should consider factors like how easy it is to install the seat in your car and if you can easily connect it to an infant stroller frame, too.
While shopping, make sure to visit the website of the manufacturer for installation videos and other instructions. Visit the NHTSA car seat recall page to find more details on recent safety concerns and possible issues. Be aware that although any car seat you buy is safe for your infant The best ones have a top rating from Consumer Reports and include clearly identified installation instructions. Also, remember to consider the weight of the base and the seat when deciding how easy or hard it will be to carry. Also, be sure to read the instructions carefully prior to installing the seat.
4. Special Offers
As a newly-wed parent, the car seat that you choose for your child is one of the most important purchases. It will also be included on your registry. It's crucial to shop around and find the most affordable Black Friday deals. You can find deals on everything from the highest-rated infant car seat to convertible and booster seats at major retailers like Target, Amazon and more.
When you're looking for an infant seat be sure to think about the safety features that are the most important for you and your family. The most effective infant car seat is equipped with various features. They include the quick-release system which helps you secure your child quickly and easily, a built-in recline feature for infants and a simple harness adjustment with just one hand. The Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is an excellent model of a baby car seat that comes with the complete package of comfort and safety and comes with a very high customer rating and a range of other special features that you might not find in less expensive models.
When your baby is ready to move on from an infant car seat, you'll need to upgrade to an adult car seat. These seats have greater weight and size limits than infant car seats which means they'll be able to protect your child longer. Whether you want to start with a convertible car seat or opt for an all-in-one model that can take your child through their early years of preschool, you'll be able to get a variety of Black Friday deals from brands like Chicco, Graco, and Baby Trend.
If you're a seasoned parent and have an expired or unused car seat in your garage, donate it to an organization in your area. You can use the proceeds from this donation to purchase your next baby item. Some major retailers, such as Target, also offer a regular trade-in opportunity where you can trade in your old car seat for two separate 20 percent off coupons that can be used towards any purchase made in-store or online, including an infant or convertible car seat.