How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, you should consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and is able to be converted into a high-back and backless booster.
It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts which are attached to the base or car seats and reduce movement during the event of a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will be required to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle often. The dedicated infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research before buying. Consider reading reviews by other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.
You should also consider whether the seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, such as a one-handed strap release, a no-rethread harness or an adjustable foot with springs. These features can help you buckle up your child, but remember that even the most secure seats will not be useful in the event that they aren't used properly.
Other things to keep in mind are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be installed in your car alongside older car seats. Others can be able to grow with your child and can be converted to an adult booster at the same time. If you plan to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be put in place using only your vehicle's seatbelt will be a convenient choice.
In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The ideal infant car seat is the one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family and is easy to install and use, and has handy features such as the built-in stroller or rotating ability. It should be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. If they're convertible and are intended for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.
Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant out of the seat. You need to be able to put in and remove the seat with ease and quickly, particularly if you need to switch it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.
You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, it's important to verify its weight and height limitations. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat before they turn one. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, a few manufacturers go above and over to provide additional crash testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that stabilizes the seat in a crash, and reduces the forces exerted on the body of the child by 40%. That feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for a car seat that is safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
One of the most important factors when choosing an infant car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature large, breathable fabrics as well as ample padding in the harness and headrest. They also offer simple adjustment mechanisms, like buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower, making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from aching when carrying it around town or between vehicles.
Some infant car seats have additional features to allow them to be more flexible. For example they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for additional adapters. pushchairsandprams.uk include premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't essential for a safe ride however they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their child. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.
Certain models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers get an enjoyable and safe experience. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both rear and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet, as well as an indicator that lets you know whether it's securely attached to the base. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for easy one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is most suitable for your family. You'll want to consider factors like weight and height limits as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like an load legs, anti-rebound bars, and no-rethread straps may increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats are suitable for every car.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, could influence this. You should also think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened and loosened and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to remove and install the seat.
Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful for those who plan to switch cars or take taxis often. To ensure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanisms.
Other features that may be worth the cost include a headrest that increases with the infant, a five-position recline and an extended canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have also noted that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby has finished using it is a plus.
The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks all over the range. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.