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

Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats have to meet federal safety standards. However, some go beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love, including additional padding, a padded inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

When deciding on our top picks, we took into consideration factors like weight (without base), stroller compatibility, special features and prices. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

Every cheap infant car seats car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features that are above and beyond the minimum requirements. These include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps, and more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a chair includes, the are more efficient.

The more comfortable a car seat is for users and the more likely parents are to use it in a safe manner and decrease their child's risk of injury in a crash. This is particularly important for an infant car seat since it's only designed to last for a short period of time. Choose a model that has bubble indicators and an adjustable foot with a spring for making it easy to set the seat. Make sure that the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.

Some car seat manufacturers provide high-end features like a no-rethread strap, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips for the seat. These are fantastic but remember that a safe car seat is still only as secure as the car you're driving in. You can find tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your infant's car seat, and also learn more about the vehicle's safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, be aware that you will only be able to use it for about 2 years before your child is ready to move to the convertible seat. This is why some families choose to leave out an infant car seat and move straight to a convertible car seat, which has higher height and weight limits. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models in person prior to choosing one. Then, you can make sure the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car, and comes with handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Don't forget to verify recalls prior making a purchase. It's crucial to ensuring the safety of your child on the road.

Ease of Use

You're looking for a car seat for your infant that is easy to connect and remove from the base whether you plan to use it in one vehicle or move it between multiple. Find clearly labeled installation guides and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Also, consider how it is easy to adjust the car seat as baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats have is a load leg which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and the car's floor, providing extra stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if are driving an older vehicle since the likelihood of a head injury is higher when the child is seated too close to the floor.

Other features that are premium can enhance the infant car seat experience. These include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that can help stop the seat from bouncing in the event of a crash. The latter has been proven to decrease the risk of head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seats with some of the most important premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an excellent rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions as well as an extendable canopy that can be secured by magnets to provide full coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with just a lapbelt and without the requirement for a base is another option. That's ideal for parents who plan to use taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require a return trip to the car to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for example, have a rigid LATCH that is built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and easy to put in. It can also be used in a rear facing infant car seat-facing position (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds), and it converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children who weigh between 40 and 120 pounds. This is a great choice for those on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is stuck in car seats for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they feel comfortable. This means straps that are padded on their shoulders, plush fabric that is comfortable against their back and stomach and a headrest that expands with them to accommodate their growing body. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow and.

While a seat that has a lot of special features may cost more however, they are also more convenient to use. When evaluating infant car seat we look at things like a one-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors and harness that doesn't rethread. We also pay attention to dimensions and weight, since the weight or bulk of a seat can add stress to your biceps while you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.

Another option is a seat that has the load-leg, a security feature which helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. This extra safety feature is usually only available in high-end seats, however, there are a few affordable models that include it.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll need to ensure the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs at around the age of two or three. You should also consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be transformed into a toddler seat. This option gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who often change cars or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona that combines car seats for an infant car seat best and a stroller into one package. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It's also simple to put in. Our experts who tested it appreciated its user-friendlyness, including the one-handed latching mechanism and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers reported that the seat is small which is crucial for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals which is a huge advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. The best infant car seat infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important features to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to help with cleaning) and if it has a canopy, which can be useful both inside the car as well as attached to a stroller.

One thing that may not be a big difference but can save you a lot of headache is a meter on the base that lets you know when it's been installed correctly. This line is located on the base's side and should be in line with the ground once you've finished. It's particularly useful if you're going to be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if you intend to travel with your baby and you'll need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

Another benefit is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat, making it easier to carry your sleeping bundle of joy from the car to the grocery store or on errands without having to lug around the separate baby carrier. This can be an essential feature for parents looking to get back to normal following a long trip or commute with a child.

If you expect your baby to grow quickly, choose a car seat for babies with a higher weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean all seats are made equal. Certain models have features that go beyond, like load legs that anchor the base of the car seat for added stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. A few accessories can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, and you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.