How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents must have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat better than another?

A specially designed infant seat is the ideal choice for infants who aren't big enough. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider convenience features such as premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, consider safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As every parent knows that choosing the best car seats newborn car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The right seat will ensure that your child is in a position properly and is adequately secured in the event of a car crash.

Not all car seats are created equal. While every car seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Certain models have features specifically designed to safeguard infants, for instance, load legs that reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your child.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit small babies best and often include extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. They're also lighter than a convertible car seats and can easily be converted to a stroller. This makes them ideal for drop-offs at daycares, rides, and pickups. You can purchase used ones at a fraction of the price, since they only last for your baby car seat's first 12 months.

Another factor to keep in mind is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are essential however, the way you use your car seat is more important to your child's safety. In fact, a study done by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents made at the very least one crucial mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

It's a good idea to take a few moments to get familiar with the proper car seat usage guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We suggest that you select an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so it's easy to carry around your child.

You should also check to determine if the infant car seat you're considering meets the size requirements for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born to receive a hands-on tutorial.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have extra features that make them easier to use. Some infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they could include a base that the seat can be clicked in and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat - particularly in the event that you have a child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of an infant car seat are also important to consider. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it might be worth the extra cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits so that you can use it for as long as possible.

In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat must also be comfortable. Find padded straps that won't touch or squeeze their shoulders, and a soft fabric that is soft under them for extended durations of time. It's also recommended to choose an infant seat that has the option of lying flat which allows your infant to ride in a more reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high.

There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing items that are not included in the seat because it hasn't been crash tested and could be dangerous. It is also recommended to avoid buying used infant car seats, since they may have been involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn out.

While the top infant car seats cost between $100 and $600, there are a few features that all the top picks have in common. They're all lightweight, easy to put in and take off and are comfortable for infants. Some even come with special features that make them more adaptable such as the ability to swivel and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Take a look at our review of the best car seat newborn infant car seats to get more information on the various options on the market.

Comfort

The top forward facing infant car seat car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby car seat in and out of the seat. The top infant car seats come with a single-handed clasp system that eliminates having to grip both sides at the same time. They also come with padding that is cushioned to make it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to take into consideration how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, for instance, so a lighter one is the best. The Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

Other factors to consider include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a long time, look for an infant car seat that will expand with your child and will fit them well into toddlerhood. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not buying a second seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it is wider or narrower than other models. This could be an advantage for smaller vehicles, and the latter could be beneficial for families with two children in back-to-back car seats, or need to drive with three children in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use the car seat along with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with most popular strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this need.

Examine the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color coding--can aid in reducing stress on new parents. Certain seats come with innovative features, like load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or under the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some force during a crash.

There are also accessories that claim to improve the convenience and comfort of your car seat. However, remember that anything not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. "Anything you purchase that isn't from the manufacturer, including the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to pick the best infant car seat can be quite an exercise. It's important that you know your budget and the features you'd like. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot is based on what's comfortable for babies.

It is important to remember that convertible car seats are not suitable for infants and are only suitable until one year. Some may even come with extended kits that have been tested in a crash, which will help them last longer. They typically come with more recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important to consider for most families. For instance, some infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others for a better fit in the back of your vehicle or for use alongside siblings seats. Others are enough weighty to test your biceps strength and move from stroller to car.

When it comes to convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats that have the ability to go from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can save you lots of time, especially on busy days where you need to complete around for errands.

Other convenient features include a magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a streamlined installation procedure. Find a head-and-body-support insert to prevent infants from settling into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep.

Some car seats have rigid latches which flip out from the base if installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount of time a car seat can move during the event of a crash.