How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
The options available when it comes time to choose the right car seat for your child can be overwhelming. There are a few steps you can do to narrow down your search.
Premium features such as load legs, a super-easy harness to tighten and an adjustable headrest that grows with your baby will make this parenting journey easier.
Easy to Use
When buying a car seat for your infant be sure to consider the weight and height limits. It is important to ensure that the seat will last until your child outgrows it, which is usually around the two-year mark. It is also important to think about whether you want an automobile seat that goes up to the 90th percentile in weight or height or one that's smaller or higher. This will help you decide how long you'll be using the seat before deciding to switch to convertible car seats.
You should also consider how it is simple to install and use the seat. For instance the ease of adjusting straps and latch connectors, the ease with which it is to switch between rear and forward facing, and the number of buckle positions there are all impact ease of use. Also, you should be aware of whether the padding for your head and body are comfortable and if the seat includes any extras for convenience, such as an insulated cupholder or hidden harness pads.
The more user-friendly a chair is more user-friendly, the more likely you'll be to utilize it properly and affect your baby's safety. The most user-friendly seats are those that let you easily install them yourself without any hassle, as well as detach them from the base without a lot of effort.
Another aspect to consider is the car seat's weight and how easy it is to move. It is essential to be able to pick up the car seat with your baby in it and transport it with ease. This is particularly important if you are going on a long trip. Also, you should examine the dimensions in terms of width and height to ensure it's suitable for your vehicle. If you plan on using it with a stroller, search for a model that works with a variety of strollers.
It is also important to look at the results of the tests conducted by the manufacturer. You can find these results on the website of the manufacturer or through an online search. You can then determine if the seat has a proven record of protecting babies in accidents, and also what their replacement policy is.
Safety
The main concern of any parent looking to purchase an infant car seat is whether the seat will safeguard their child. All infant car seats must adhere to the safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA) which includes rigorous crash testing and the five-point harness system.
There are other factors to take into consideration when purchasing an infant car seat. It is crucial to choose the correct infant car seat based on the baby's height and weight and also the kind of vehicle you own. It is also crucial to ensure that the seat is properly installed, as incorrectly installed car seats increase the chance of injury during the event of a crash.
A good infant car safety seat will have clear installation instructions, a bubble indicator for the level that is easy to read, and an locking clip that prevents the base from being removed accidentally. It should also be light and include useful features such as an expandable harness that does not need to be rethread, anti-rebound bars and an extra-large load leg which protects your baby from head injuries in the event of an accident.
While it's not a mandatory feature for all families, some parents may want to look for an infant car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat at the push of a lever at the base. This will give them greater flexibility and allow their child to use the seat until they reach the manufacturer's height and weight limit.
It's also worth considering how easy it will be to use the car seat on a daily basis. The straps should be smooth to tighten and loosen, and the buckle should be simple to snap in and out of. best car seat for newborn should be easy to carry empty, and the base should be easy to take off from the vehicle without needing to fiddle around.
It's also recommended to look for recalls on the car seat you're contemplating buying prior to making a purchase. This can be done via the NHTSA website Opens in an entirely new window. It has an index of searchable databases of all past and current recalls on car seats.
Comfort
Parents are the most concerned about the comfort of their baby car seats. These rear-facing seats are created to protect your baby in the event of an accident. Most include built-in head and back supports to keep them at a comfortable level. Find a rear-facing seat that has features such as no-rethread straps, magnetic buckle holders, and adjustable shoulder belts.
Simple installation and use is yet another aspect that can either ruin or improve an infant car seat. In ideal circumstances, you should be capable of getting the seat off its base using just one hand while holding the baby in the opposite. When you're ready return the seat to its base it should snap easily into place and take less than one minute.
A lot of infant car seats are also suitable to use without a base. This is great for parents who frequently switch between vehicles or taxis. If you choose an infant car seat that has this feature, check its weight and height limits to ensure your child isn't too big for it. Most car seats come with an infant insert which can be used by babies who are very small (like in the first few months or weeks of life) until their shoulders reach to the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the ideal choice for an infant car seat. They provide convenience and security. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and come with a mechanism that allows them to fold up when not in use. They're however generally larger than regular car seats for infants and may be more difficult to carry around.
A load leg is a different thing to look for. It's an arm resting between your seat and the vehicle's floor. It provides extra stability. They're not required however they can be very useful in smaller vehicles or those who have multiple car seats.
Convenience
You can travel with peace of mind and know that your child is safe and secure. Consider features like straps for the shoulders that are padded and padding around the neck to ensure your baby is comfortable. Also look for several recline positions. You might also want to look into a car seat that has additional features, like UPF 50+ sun-shields and a canopy that zips open fully which gives your baby the protection they need.
If you're looking for ease of use, consider how simple the seat is to use, and how easily it can be installed in a vehicle. It's likely that you will have to install your seat using the LATCH system and the vehicle belt. Choose a model with the easiest installation.
The Nuna Pipa is our top pick for the best infant car seat. It is easy to installation process, due to the steel-reinforced connectors on the base that appear and flash green if correctly connected. This feature along with recline angle guides as well as colored belt-oath indicators make it a standout model among infant car seats because of its ease of use.
The seat is compact and light. This makes it a great option for parents who travel with their baby or switch between cars often. It also comes with a non rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders that permit you to secure the seat with one hand.
The seat is narrower than other seats available and can be more comfortable for infants. Additional padding in the chest area and shoulder area provides added comfort. It's also a little more expensive than other alternatives, but we think the top features, such as an adjustable base and SnugLock lockoff, are worth it.
Infant car seats are a big investment, but with the right information and considerations you can narrow your choices to a handful of models that best fit your family's needs. Then you can focus on the crucial task of getting ready for your baby's arrival!