You'll Never Guess This Best Infant Seat's Tricks

Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats meet the federal safety standards, some are more than others. From extra padding to a padded newborn inlay to the ability to raise and lower the headrest with no needing to rethread our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features parents will love.

We considered factors like weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and prices when selecting our top picks. Find out the best car seat infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features above and beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs as well as a rethreader that is built-in strap-holding sides, and so on. The more features a car seat has the more comfortable, according to the experts I spoke with.

The more user-friendly a car seat can be and the more likely parents are to use it correctly and reduce their child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is especially important with an infant car seat since it's designed for an extremely short time. Find a seat that is easy to install, with a recline foot that is spring loaded and a bubble indicator to help get the seat level. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click in and out of the car.

Some car seat manufacturers offer premium features, such as a no-rethread strap and magnetic buckle holders and side grips that carry the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are fantastic, a car seat's safety is only as good as the vehicle that you use to drive. Go through the owner's manual for advice on how to properly secure your infant's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When selecting an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be able to use it for around 2 years until your child is ready to switch to a convertible car seat. That's why some families opt to not use an infant car seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which is more spacious and has higher weight and height limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, make sure to take into consideration the dimensions of your car and test different models before making a decision. Then, you can ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car and includes useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. Also, make sure to verify recalls prior making an purchase. It's the most important aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

You want a car seat for your baby that is simple to attach and take off from the base, regardless of whether you plan to use it in a single vehicle or move it between multiple. Find clearly labeled installation guides as well as an operation that is seamless. Also, think about how it is easy to alter the car seat as your lightweight baby car seat grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.

A great feature that many infant seats include is a load leg that acts as a brace between the seat's base and the car's floor, providing extra stability in the event of collision. It's an especially important feature for those who drive an older vehicle, as the risk of sustaining head injuries during a crash is much higher when an infant is seated near to the floor, according to research by Consumer Reports.

Other top features that improve infant car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and anti-rebound bars, which help keep the seat from bouncing back in an accident. The latter has been proven to decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat with a few key premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was awarded an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness, five recline positions and an extended canopy that has magnets that ensure full coverage.

A seat that is easily installed using only lapbelts and does not require the requirement for a base is another option. That's ideal for parents who plan to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need a journey back and forth to the car to install a new seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its corresponding TRIV travel system have an extremely rigid LATCH system built right into the bottom of the seat which makes it fast and easy to install in any car. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and can be converted into a highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. This is a great choice when you're on a tight budget.

Comfort

It is essential that your child is comfortable in the car seat, particularly when they're in the seat for a long period of time. This includes padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel snug against their stomachs or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Also, look for an easy-to-reach seat that you can adjust as your child grows.

While a seat that has many special features may cost more however, they are also more convenient to use. This is why we take into consideration things like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also look at the weight and size of the seat, as a heavy or large seat can strain your biceps when you move it into and out of your vehicle or in between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash is another good choice. It's usually found in expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly options that include this safety feature.

Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll want to ensure the seat will remain safe for your child after they reach their highest growth spurt, which is usually between the ages of two and three. You should also consider a convertible car seat for infants that can be transformed into a toddler's seat. This option will give you a little more flexibility in your vehicle and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona that combines the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one piece. It's ideal for parents who are always moving around, particularly those who take public transportation to commute to work or to school. It's also simple to install. Our experts who tested it praised its ease of use, including the one-handed latching system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers noted that the seat is small and lightweight baby car seat, which is essential for those with limited trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a big advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.

Convenience

The best infant carrier car seat infant seats have features that make them easy to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten and loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically increase as your child grows the top rated infant car seats infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get in and out with a minimal amount of effort. Other important things to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleaning easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which is useful both inside the car and attached to the stroller.

A feature on the base could save you much time and headaches. It lets you know if it has been installed correctly. This line should be parallel to ground and is located on the base. This is especially useful if you are going to change the car seat frequently, or when your child will be traveling with you and you'll need to set it up in taxis or Ubers.

Another useful feature is the ability to attach a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to transport your baby's bundle of joy from the car to the store or out on errands, without having to lug around an additional carrier. This is an essential feature for parents who are looking to return to normal after a lengthy trip or commute with a baby.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, you should choose a car seat for infants that has more weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use longer.

All car seats sold in America must conform to the safety standards of the federal government, but that does not mean that they are all in the same way. Some have premium features that go above and beyond, such as load legs that anchor the base of the car seat to provide additional stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of injury to the head in crashes. Other features, like the no-rethread harness or an extended canopy, can also make for a more relaxing ride for your baby and allow you to be a happier and more secure parent.