How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Think about what you want from your car seat. "If you're looking for an automobile seat that will 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 convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are another beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached to the car seat base and reduce movement during an accident.
Safety
Dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies the best, which is why they typically come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will be required to transport your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of being designed to last for the first year of your child's life so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as quickly as the convertible car seat might.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are rigorous however it's a good idea to do your own research before buying. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to provide to families.
Look for features that will help your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features can make buckling your baby faster and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest seats will be useless when you don't use them in a proper manner.
Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Others can be able to grow with your child and then convert to an adult booster at the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that is installed using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a great option.
In general, it is recommended to buy the safest car seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are ones that fit in the
car seat inserts for newborns of your family and are simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be positioned using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without having to remove the baby from the seat. Installing and taking it off should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.
You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th 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, a
top rated baby car seats choice among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also comes with a leg that stabilizes the seat during an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. That feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing the right car seat for your infant, as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones have large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding in the harness and headrest. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading.
The weight and size of an infant car seat can also impact the comfort of your child, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are narrower than others, which makes them easier to fit in the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Some
portable infant car seat car seats offer additional features that make them more flexible like rotational options or the capability to click into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Other models include premium features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or anti-rebound bars to add additional security in the case of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents require a clean, comfortable
cheap infant car seats car seat for their child. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that lets you know when the seat is securely attached. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle provide easy single-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats (
visit the next document) with safety and convenience in mind, however the dizzying array of features available makes it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, can influence this. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to tighten and loosen, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.