Why Best Car Seats For Infants Is More Risky Than You Think
Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats work well for children who are growing but an infant seat is best for newborns. They're also smaller and easier to snap into a stroller than their larger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy liked the Chicco KeyFit's recline foot with springs and bubble indicator on the base, as well as its user-friendliness (the more user-friendly a car seat can be and is, the more likely parents will be to put it in the correct position). The model also fits three across in most midsize cars.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
Clek, a Canadian manufacturer, is well-known for its top-rated convertible car seats. The infant Liing is among their top infant seats. It is fitted with best-in class safety features including a steel load-leg that can be easily installed. It also has seven different recline positions that can be adjusted to suit the slope of your vehicle's seat. A bubble indicator allows you ensure that the seat is at the right angle prior to your child riding in it.
The base of the Liing is easily installed with the help of LATCH connectors that slide into the lower anchors of your vehicle, making it easier to fix the seat. The Liing is a great option for families who are planning to change cars frequently or need a simple, reliable way to install car seats for babies. You can also utilize the belt-tensioning system included to buckle your child.
One of the things that sets the Liing apart from other infant car seats is its 2-piece Newborn Support System. This includes a lower insert that slips over the crotch buckle, and an attachment for the head that connects to the harness to to prevent babies from slumping or bending their heads forward while in the seat. This is a game changer for tiny babies and preemies. It's also among the few rear-facing infant car seats that offers this degree of support.
Another advantage of the Liing is its crash-testing frame, which can reduce the force of a crash by as much as 40 percent when compared to other infant seats. The seat's shell is bolstered with EPP foam, which protects your child's head and body, which are most vulnerable in a collision. The seat's base has an aluminum load leg that absorbs energy, and also helps to reduce the risk of collisions.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is the most highly rated infant seat. It's quick to set up, simple to use and can grow with your baby. It can also be used with strollers to create a travel system.
The KeyFit is an excellent option for parents who want a safe, versatile and easy-to-use seat. It was a top performer in crash tests and is lightweight and easy to carry. It also has a wide range of weight and height limits. It is also designed with the comfort of babies in mind. The click-in point has soft materials around it so your baby isn't burned by metal, the newborn insert has an enclosed head-skirt to protect their little heads, and the seat pad your baby sits on has cushions that absorb energy for a comfortable experience.
It's also among the most simple infant seats to install correctly, every time. This is crucial because improperly installed infant seats can increase the chance of injury to your child. The KeyFit's LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch tightener ensure a secure fit that requires minimal effort. The base also features ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble-level-indicators that ensure the proper angle of the vehicle. For a second installation, using the seat belt of the vehicle clear belt routing and lock-offs make it easy to set up, install and tighten the car seat belt.
The harness height adjustment rethread feature is a feature prevalent on many Chicco seats, including the original Keyfit model. This means that you must manually re-thread the straps to move them from one level to the next. This is a minor trade-off for the convenience of this seat.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The light Joie i-Snug 2 infant car seat meets the highest safety standards. It has a harness that is not rethread, and is compatible with Joie strollers that accept Maxi-Cosi style adapters. It's simple to use with clear installation guides and built-in bubble levels to assist with alignment. The car seat comes with plenty of padding and is comfortable. It comes with a canopy that protects your child from direct sunlight.
The i-Snug has an ISOFIX vehicle base that allows an extremely secure vehicle attachment. It can also be used with an appropriate stroller to make an entire travel system. It's a rear-facing infant car seat that provides maximum neck and head protection for newborns and babies. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest comes with a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam to protect your child from side impact crashes.
You'll require a new infant car seat as soon as your child reaches the weight and height limits, or their first birthday. Then you can upgrade to a convertible or all-in-one car seats, which allows children to sit rear-facing for longer and is safer for them.
A convertible car seat is larger and more spacious than an infant car seat and it has a greater weight and height limit when facing rearward. To prevent your child from getting out of the seat too quickly, it's recommended to move to a seat that can be converted as quickly as you can. In certain situations, parents can move their child into an all-in one car seat without having to buy an additional infant car seat. It's therefore important to choose the best convertible car seat for your family. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to provide all the details you need to make an informed choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
Nuna Pipa RX is a top-rated infant seat because of its safety features, lightweight design, and the flexibility. It can be installed using rigid lower anchors in the outboard seats of most vehicles, and with the seat belts of vehicles using Euro Routing (which uses the entire length of the belt to ensure the installation is secure). It also comes with an organic GOTS baby insert, which is a great choice for parents who are eco conscious and want to use organic products for their children.
The Pipa Aire RX weighs only 6 pounds. without the canopy or inserts. It's among the lightest infant car seats on the market. This is due to the unique Aeroflex foam that's incredibly lightweight but incredibly durable, reducing the the force that is transferred to your baby in the event of a crash. Other security features include the five-second steel-reinforced True Lock base installation, side-impact protection, and a multiposition steel stability leg that features a crumple zone to limit forward rotation for enhanced rearward-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum carry handle that's both comfortable and light with leatherette accents for comfortable toting and superb grip. Magnetic buckle holders keep straps off from the way when you buckle your child and color-coded indicator lights for installation confirm correct connections. The low-profile base enables fast, effortless loading. the belt's open path with lock-offs secures shoulder and lap belts.
Cleaning up after a messy parent shouldn't be a problem. lightweight baby car seat and inserts in the Pipa Aire RX are machine washable so you can keep your car seat looking good as new after every use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
While Nuna's PIPA rx and PIPA air RX car seats are both excellent alternatives, the new Pipa Urbn takes it all to another level. This ultralight infant car seats is extremely easy to carry and weighs less than 7 pounds when the canopy and insert. It also comes with elegant user-friendly design with convenient features like buckle holders that are magnetic to keep straps out of the way when you buckle your baby in and a green/red indicator to tell you that the installation is secure (we wish all car seats had this! ).
Unlike the Pipa RX and the other base-compatible PIPA models that require the use of a car base, this one can be used without a base thanks to its innovative pipaFIX rigid latch system. This makes it the perfect choice for parents that frequently take taxis, rideshare services or travel.
Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. The green-friendly materials include a Merino wool and Tencel branded lyocell fiber blend headrest and a water-resistant, machine washable cover and body insert.
The Pipa Urbn comes with an upper weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when rear-facing. This means that you might need to upgrade to a convertible seat earlier than with other brands. However, it is still a top choice for the majority of infants. This car seat is also travel system-ready and pairs seamlessly with any of Nuna's strollers. Just click it on or connect via the ring adapter.