How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Parents must have car seats. But what makes one better than another?
A special infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience extras such as premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, think about safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As every parent knows, choosing the right car seat is among the most important decisions you'll make for your child. The best seat will ensure they're positioned properly in the car and that they are adequately secured in the event of an accident.
While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all seats are created equal. Certain seats come with features designed to safeguard infants. For example load legs can reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base. Other features include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit small babies best, and typically come with extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for ride-sharing and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. You can purchase an used one for less than the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months.
Another thing to consider is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are essential but the method you use your car seat is more important to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital showed that 95% of parents have made a mistake at least once when installing or altering their car seat.
It's important to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the appropriate guidelines for car seats. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to be able to carry your child in it and has simple adjustments.
You should also see whether the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your own abilities to install and operate the car seat correctly, consider taking it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive an interactive session prior to the time the baby is born.
Convenience
Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them easier to use. For example, they may come with a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they might feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features can help make it easier to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have a child to attend to.
The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your baby is growing quickly it could be worth purchasing a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to utilize it for as long as you'd like.
Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find padded straps that won't touch or squeeze their shoulders, and a soft fabric that feels soft beneath them for extended periods of time. Select a seat with a lie-flat position. This allows your baby to sit upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
Dr. Segura advises that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat because they haven't been crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid buying a used car seats for infants as they could have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn.
The best infant car seats cost between $100 and $600, there are a few things that all the top picks have in common. They're all light, easy to set up and remove and are comfortable for infants. Some even have special features that make them more flexible, like the ability to swivel and clip into strollers, without the need for adapters. For more information on the various options available, check out our review of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
Top infant car seats come with features that provide comfort and make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both straps at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. Also, you should consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll use it without a base, a seat that is lighter is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other factors to consider include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat, select one that will adapt to your child's needs and accommodate them into the toddlerhood. Then, you'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.
You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat and if it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be beneficial for smaller vehicles, and the latter could be beneficial for families with two children in back-to-back car seats, or have to drive with three children in the back seat at some time. If you are planning to use your car seat along with a stroller, look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with most popular strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.
Review the rating of a car seat to determine its ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color-coded markings--can assist in easing the burden on parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing components that are located under the seat or at the base that extend to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force in a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to increase the convenience and comfort of your car seat. However, remember that anything not sold with the seat hasn't passed safety testing. Segura recommends that you don't place anything in your car seat, such as the blanket or harness you purchased elsewhere.
Style
For new parents, figuring out how to choose the best infant car seat can be quite a puzzle. It's important that you understand your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility, and even fabrics. However, it all comes down to comfort.
It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't as suitable for small babies and are only suitable until the age of one year. Some may even come with extended kits that have been tested in a crash which can help them last longer. They also have more recline modes to ensure proper positioning for smaller children and are generally lighter, making it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which can be helpful for parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that can perform double duty.
Another important thing to remember is that car seat weight and width are crucial factors for most families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car or for use with siblings' seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps as you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.
When pushchairsandprams comes to convenience, many parents opt for infant car seats that have the capability to move from the base to the carrier and click directly into a stroller, without the need for additional attachments. This will help you save a lot of time, especially during busy times when you are running the errands.
Other features that are useful include a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and an easy-to-install process. Also, look for an arm and head support insert, which can help prevent infants from slumping in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.
Some car seats have rigid latches which flip out from the base when they are installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and restricts the amount of movement a car seat can move in an accident.