How to Choose the
Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for a car seat to grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert into an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an added benefit. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the base or car seats and reduce movement during the event of a crash.
Safety
They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you will need to transport your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The car seat for infants is designed to last your child through the first year. This means you won't have to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.
It's a good idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and looking through safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to provide to families.
It is also important to look into whether a seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, such as an easy strap release with one hand or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These kinds of features could make buckling your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the safest of seats can be a waste if you don't use them correctly.
The weight and the width of the car seat is also crucial. Many infant seats can be placed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some can grow with your child, and convert to an adult booster simultaneously. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great alternative.
In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants -
click to find out more, are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family and are easy to install and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers, the price can be higher.
Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the harness and headrest without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly for children who ride Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly get the car seat correctly installed.
You should also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when not using it, and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, it's important to determine its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. In general, you should select a seat for your child that grows with them until they reach 90 percentile.
Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an
infant car seat cheap seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. That feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has added convenience features.
Comfort
The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an infant car seat as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats are made of the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the harness and headrest. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require to be rethread.
The size and weight of a baby car seat can also impact the comfort of your child, particularly in the event that you intend to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, making them easier to fit in the back seat with another car seat or other siblings' seats. While all models come with weight and height restrictions, some are lighter. This can save you from having sore biceps when you move it around town or between cars.
Some infant car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For instance, they can rotate or be converted into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable car seat for their child. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking new.
Certain models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand both rear and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet, as well an indicator that lets you know when the seat is securely attached. The adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make easy one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create
infant car seat rear facing car seats with safety and comfort in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of your baby. You might also consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. Also, you should be aware of whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base which can be convenient when you frequently take taxis or if you are planning on changing cars often.