10 Things Your Competition Can Teach You About Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you need a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Other useful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

Car seats for infants are designed to fit small babies best, so they typically come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to lift out of the car or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely need to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means you won't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.

It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing information to share with families.

Find features that will benefit your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These types of features can make buckling up your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the most secure seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them properly.

The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. Many travel infant car seat car seats can be installed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some can expand with your child and convert to an adult booster in the same time. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel infant car seat or take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat which can be fitted using only your car's seatbelt is a good option.

In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The ideal car seat for your infant is the one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family It is simple to install and use, and has handy features such as a built-in stroller or rotation ability. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. As a rule, choose the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the force on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats that have safety features and convenience.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones have thick, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The size and weight of a baby car seat can also impact comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower making it easier to fit them in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings seats. While all models come with height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This could save you from having sore biceps when you move it from one place to another or between cars.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more flexible including rotational options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include top-quality features like an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of an accident. While these extra features aren't essential for an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Look for a model that's machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator that lets you know when the seat is properly secured. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers create infant car seat uk car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the variety of features available can make it hard to determine what's best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of babies. Consider features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotational mechanisms. Be sure to pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, as not every seat will fit in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, could affect this. You should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which can be useful if your plan is to change cars or take taxis often. Make sure you choose a model with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set correctly.

Other features worth the cost include a headrest that grows with the infant as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is an additional benefit.

The Doona is an infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants scored it highly across every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapters). Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.