How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're in need of a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be transformed into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limit.

It also scores high for comfort and quality thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached 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, which is why they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the car or put onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely need to transport your Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Baby Car Seat - Group 0+ in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. Car seats for infants have the advantage of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life, so you don't have to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits as quickly as a convertible car seat may.

It is an excellent idea to do some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and reading car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

You will also want to consider whether the seat has features that could be especially beneficial for your family, like the strap release that is one-handed and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded foot for leveling. These kinds of features could make buckling your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest seats can be a waste when you don't use them in a proper manner.

The weight and width of the car seat is also crucial. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be narrow enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle Some can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat at the same time. If you are planning to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat for travel car seat which can be put in place using only your car's seatbelt will be a convenient choice.

In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, since the cheapest models usually don't meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.

Convenience

The best infant car seat is one that can fit in the car of your family, is easy to install and use, and includes useful features like a built-in stroller or rotation ability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats can range between $180 to over $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 installed using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles as well as harness straps. It is also essential to verify the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. It is generally recommended to select a seat for your Maxi-Cosi Morion I-Size Child Car Seat Blue: Top Safety Choice For Pushchairs that will grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include additional features such as crash-testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that helps stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. This alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth paying more for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't need rethreading.

The size and weight of a car seat for infants can affect comfort, especially if you plan to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are tinier, making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings seats. While they all have weight and height restrictions Some are lighter. This could save you from sore biceps when you move it around town or between cars.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more adaptable like rotating options or the ability to connect to strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't necessary for a safe ride however they can improve the overall experience.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go further to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. 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. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable and also an indicator that lets you know whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and comfort as their primary goals. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to choose which is best for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit, the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the price but may improve the comfort of babies. Look for features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotational mechanisms. Be sure to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. It is also important to be aware of whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models allow you to use the seat without a base, which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or if you plan on changing cars often. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense, such as the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature and an extension canopy that secures in place. Our product testers also said that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is an additional benefit.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It's got many features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers gave it top marks across the spectrum. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.