20 Myths About Best Infant Car Seat: Busted

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can grow with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert into a high-back and backless booster.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing parts which are attached to the car seat base and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.

Safety

Dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies the best, which is why they generally offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car or put onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is vital because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. Car seats for infants offer the benefit of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their weight or height in the same way that the convertible car seat might.

It's an excellent idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Take a look at 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 a lot of crash testing data to provide to families.

You will also want to examine whether a seat has features that can be particularly helpful for your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed, a no-rethread harness or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These types of features can make buckling your baby quicker and easier but remember that even the most secure seats will be useless when you don't use them properly.

The weight and width of the car seat are equally crucial. A lot of infant seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can be able to grow with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster at the same time. Also, if you plan to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed with only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative.

In general, it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, since the most affordable models do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The most suitable infant car seats are those that can fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and include useful features such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. They can be more expensive when they're convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat.

best car seat  include whether the seat can be installed using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be lightweight, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.

You must also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards and include additional features like crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones have comfortable, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding for the harness and headrest. They come with easy-to-use adjustments such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need to be rethread.

The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort especially if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it between vehicles.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features to make them more adaptable. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models come with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer extra safety in case of a crash. These features aren't necessary for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.

Parents want their babies to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go further to ensure that their customers enjoy an enjoyable and safe experience. For example the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable and an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the broad variety of features can make it difficult to choose which one is right for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features such as anti-rebound bar, load legs and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but will increase the comfort of your infant. Consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, can influence this. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is a great option if your plan is to change taxis or cars frequently. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Certain features could be worth the extra cost for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or the canopy that expands and locks into the position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat that can be used for a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is a nice benefit.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that solve nearly every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across all categories. For instance, it's certified for airplane travel, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.