The 3 Greatest Moments In Best Infant Car Seat History

How to Choose the best infant carrier car seat Infant Car Seat

Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you are looking for a car seat to develop with your child you should consider an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and can be converted into an incline-back booster and a backless one.

The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is a plus. Load legs are an additional useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached to the car seat base and reduce movement during a crash.

Safety

Car seats for infants are designed to fit tiny babies the best, which is why they usually have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the car or set onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is vital considering you will likely have to transport your child in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means you won't need to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.

It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research prior to you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

You will also want to examine whether a seat has features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed, a no-rethread harness or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These features can help you buckle up your child, but remember that even the most secure seats will not be useful in the event that they aren't used properly.

Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be installed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Others can grow with your child, and convert to a booster in the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative.

In general it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best Car seats for infants (humanlove.Stream) are those that can fit in your family vehicle and are simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range between $180 to more than $500. If they're convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without taking the infant car seat travel out of the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat must also be lightweight baby car seat and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.

You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good guideline is to choose a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum, some manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones are made of thick, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort particularly if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller which makes it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings' seats. While all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are lighter than others, which could help keep your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats come with additional features to make them more versatile. For example they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for additional adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of a crash. Although these features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their infants to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet, as well as an indicator that informs you that it's attached correctly to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the dizzying array of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. You'll want to consider factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like an load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and straps that do not rethread could increase the price of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, as not every seat can be used in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, will affect this. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.

Certain models let you use the seat without a base which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or plan on switching cars frequently. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense, such as a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or the canopy that expands and locks into the position. Our product testers have also observed that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our product testers have rated it as top across all categories. It's affixed for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.