How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Parents must have car seats. What makes one car seat better than the other?
A special infant seat fits small babies best, and is lighter for easier transport outside the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As every parent will tell you, choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions you could make. The right seat will ensure that your child is in a position correctly and adequately protected in the event of a car crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Some have special features designed to protect infants, for instance, load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base as well as built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.
Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to be able to accommodate babies in the best way. They typically have crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. They are also lighter than convertible car seat and can easily be converted into a stroller. This makes them perfect for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs, and pickups. You can purchase an used one for less than the cost, since they only last for the first 12 months.
Another thing to consider is that while an excellent NHTSA rating and great crash test results are essential however, the method you use your car seat is even more crucial to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents made at least one error when installing or changing their car seat.
It's a good idea to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat usage guidelines before your baby arrives. We suggest that you select a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough that it is easy to carry around your baby.
You should also determine if the car seat for infants you're considering meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly, consider taking it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) for a hands-on tutorial before your baby is born.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have extra features that make them more user-friendly. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they may have a base into which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they might have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can make it easier to install and detach the car seat, especially when you have a child to look after.
It is also important to think about the weight and height limits for an infant car seat. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly, it may be worth the cost to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits so that you can keep it in use for as long as you can.
In addition to safety features, your child's car seat should also be comfortable. Find padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels comfy underneath them. It's also a good idea to choose an infant seat that has an option to lie flat which allows your infant to be in a reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are many accessories for infant car seats however Dr. Segura advises against purchasing items that are not included with the seat as it has not been crash tested and could be dangerous. Also, avoid buying used infant car seats since they may have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn out.
The best infant car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However they all have a few features. They're all lightweight, simple to install and detach, and comfortable for babies. Some even have special features that make them more versatile including the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more information on the different options available, check out our list of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
The best infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easy to get baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps at once, plus cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to think about how much the seat weighs--you'll be using it without a base in the end and a lighter weight is better. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby and fit them into the toddler years. Then, you'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.
You should also think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's narrower or wider than other models. The first one is useful for smaller vehicles. top rated baby car seats could be helpful when you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you're planning to use a car seat along with a pram, select one that is compatible with the most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Brands such as Graco or Nuna offer options to satisfy your requirements.
To make it easier to use, look up the ratings that a car seat gets for installation. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding to indicate if the seat is secured and level, can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats come with unique features, such as load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the base or under the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some impact force during a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to enhance the convenience and comfort of your car seat. Be aware that anything that's not included with the seat hasn't passed safety testing. "Anything you buy that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
It can be a challenge for new parents to determine the best infant car seats. It is important to determine the budget you have set and the features you'd like to have. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all is based on what's comfortable for baby.
It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't suitable for babies and are only suitable up to the age of one year. Some may even come with extended kits that have been tested in a crash that will allow them to last longer. They also tend to include more recline settings to ensure proper positioning for smaller children and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can do double duty.
Car seat weight and width are important to consider for the majority of families. For instance, some infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others for a better fit in the back of your car or for use alongside siblings in their seats. Some are heavy enough to really test your biceps to lift and transfer from stroller to car.
Many parents opt for an the infant car seat that can be converted from a base to a carrier and then convert into a stroller without needing any extra attachments. This can save a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're out running errands with your little ones.
Other features that are useful include the magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a streamlined installation procedure. Lastly, look for an arm and head support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in their seats or carriers when they fall asleep.
Most car seats have flexible straps to secure their lower anchor connectors however some have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount a seat can move in an accident.