How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you'd like from your car seat. "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can expand with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into the high-back and backless booster.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Load legs are a beneficial feature. These are shock-absorbing elements which are attached to the car seat base and reduce movement during the event of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, so they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will need to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle often. The car seat for infants is designed to last for your child for the first year. top rated infant car seats means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond the weight limit or height.
It's a good idea to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.
You will also want to consider whether the seat comes with features that could be especially beneficial for your family, like a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the most safe seats will not be useful in the event that they aren't used properly.
The weight and width of the car seat are also important. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car, while others can grow with your child, and move to a booster seat simultaneously. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a great option.
In general, you should purchase the safest seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't include side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family and are easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It must also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive if they are convertible and used as a toddler and infant seat.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be installed using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. You want to be able to set up and remove the seat easily particularly if you move frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.
You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have access to buckles as well as harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, be sure to check its weight and height limitations. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features such as crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for car seats that are safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to take into consideration when selecting the right car seat for your infant, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread.
The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort especially if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others, which could help keep your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Certain infant car seats come with extra features to make them more adaptable. For example they can be rotated or be converted into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. Although these features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.
Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that lets you know whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the variety of features available can make it difficult to decide what's the best fit for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limits, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like an load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and no-rethread straps could increase the price of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats can be used in all cars.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, will influence this. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to be easily adjusted and tightened and if there is a single-hand release mechanism 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 if you plan on switching cars often. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed properly.
Some features may be worth the extra cost for example, a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, and a canopy that extends and is locked into the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat that can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby has completed using it is an added bonus.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It has many features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers gave it top marks all over the range. For example, it's approved for airplane travel, has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.