How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you want a car seat that can grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and can convert into a high-back and backless booster.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an advantage. Other helpful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that reduce movement in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, which is why they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you will be required to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also offer the benefit of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life so you don't need to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.

It's a good idea, however, to do some research prior to you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at 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.

It is also important to consider whether the seat has features that can be beneficial to your family, such as an easy strap release with one hand and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats can be dangerous in the event that they aren't used properly.

Other factors to be aware of are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats can be put in your vehicle along with older car seats. Others can expand with your child and convert to a booster at the same time. If you are planning to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be fitted using only your car's seatbelt is a good option.

In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.

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 removing the baby from the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat easily, especially if you switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness and turn the seat around when it is not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, be sure to determine its weight and height limitations. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. In general, you should select a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90% percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards and include additional features such as crash-testing, comfort and convenience 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 provides more than just good crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added safety and convenience features.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seats that swivel car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of an infant car seat can affect comfort, especially when you are planning to change cars or use the seat frequently. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another newborn car seat insert seat or siblings' seats. Although all models have height and weight restrictions certain models are lighter. This will help you from having sore biceps when you carry it between cars.

Some infant car seats have additional features to make them more adaptable. For example they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Other models have high-end features like harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or anti-rebound bars to add additional security in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking fresh.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have the most secure and comfortable ride. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet, as well as an indicator that informs you that it's attached correctly to the base. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener allow for easy single-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers make infant car seat in front seat car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the myriad of features available can make it difficult to decide what's best for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they are rigid or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient if your plan is to change taxis or cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is correctly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism.

Certain features could be worth the extra cost, such as the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature and an extension canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also said the fact that a seat can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby is no longer using it is a nice bonus.

The Doona is an infant car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers gave it top marks in all categories. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted into a stroller. Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.