How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Car seats for infants are available in a variety of prices, based on the type of material, style, and accessories. There is no need to shell out a lot of money for a good infant car seat.
Our product testers rated top-performing infant car seats in five key categories: Safety user-friendliness, convenience of use, reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The most effective infant car seats are rigorously tested for crash. The most secure infant car seats come with clear instructions and features like bubble levels or padded seating to provide adequate support for the infant. We also found it helpful when a seat has easy-to-use adjustments that don't require taking the infant out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that utilize clips and hooks for quick changes. If the procedure is quick and easy, parents are more likely maintain the correct fitting harnesses.
A seat that can be washed is a great feature, and we looked for models that allow the seat to be installed in conjunction with the base, which reduces the risk of a dropped or loosing buckle while washing. If you'll be using your car seat often, and particularly on public transport it could be worth the extra expense for a model that has self-retracting straps and a recline mechanism to reduce the strain on your back.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is among the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we suggest researching it thoroughly before making your purchase. Read reviews from customers, as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. Before you buy a new car seat it's an excellent idea to check the manufacturer website and review any recalls.
Infant car seats are small, portable car seats specifically designed for newborns or babies until their first birthday. They are typically used with a rear-facing design. The majority of children outgrow their car seats at the age of one or, in the case of convertible or all-in one car seats, they are moved to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used with the rear facing side until your child reaches the maximum weight and height limits established by the manufacturer. Then they should be switched to an forward-facing car seat. A convertible or all-in one car seat can be used both ways, but it's safer for your baby to be in the rear-facing car seat until they're tall enough to be able to sit in an front-facing car seat.
Simple to use
While the safety of the car seat is essential, it's also important to find one that's easy for parents to use. We test the buckles as well as the handles and harness adjustments, as well as its ability to be installed into a vehicle. If a car seat is difficult to use, it may be used improperly and could affect the safety of your child.
If you're concerned about installing your infant car seat correctly, consider having a consultation with a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) before you bring your baby home. They can guide you on how to use the seat and give you the video of a crash test. Don't forget to read the instructions that comes with your car seat, since this can assist you in avoiding common mistakes during installation.
Infant car seats aren't convertible, and they can only be used until your child has outgrown it or exceeds the weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. That's why it's a good idea to choose the right seat that can be used for as long as you can before changing your baby into a larger car seat.
Some infant car seats convert into strollers, meaning you can get more for your money. It is important to keep in mind that car seats that can double as strollers are heavier than those that are used as an infant car.
Another factor to be aware of is how wide your infant's car seat is, which will affect the ease with which it can fit in your vehicle and if it's compatible with other seats in the back row. It is also important to consider the weight of the seat, since a seat that is light is more easy to move into and out of a car. This is particularly important if you intend to use your infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. In our best infant car seats review, we suggest models that are smaller and lighter.
Reliability
Making sure your child is safe is a top priority. While all car seats must meet federal safety standards, there are some that go above and beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance, has two-stage body support which helps keep infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it an excellent score in the crash test.
It is important to keep in mind that even the most secure infant car seat is only as safe in the way it is installed and used. Poorly installed or misused car seats pose a significant safety risk for children and infants of all ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton suggests studying the manual of the manufacturer and searching for installation videos on the internet. "You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned about ensuring that you have the correct car seat for your baby," she says.
The best infant car seats are easy to install and use. They feature features like a single-handed buckle release magnetic strap holders that don't catch clothing, and a no harness that can be rethread. These seats are constructed of strong materials and feature several adjustment mechanisms that function smoothly.
Another aspect to look out for is whether an infant car seat has a base that can be used with or without the use of the use of a vehicle's LATCH or shoulder belt systems. infant car seat that swivels is helpful for parents who take taxis often or use their seats in more than one vehicle.
Also, you should consider how much the infant car seat weighs and whether you are able to easily carry it around. Certain models weigh more than others, and could put strain on your arms and shoulders especially if you're carrying other children or traveling long distances.
Ultimately, an infant car seat with a lower cost will save you money and time. Don't buy a low-cost car seat just because it's inexpensive. A price that is low could mean that the manufacturer has made a mistake on safety features or material quality. Before making a final decision, it's a good idea look over reviews and seek suggestions from other parents.
Convenience
The best infant car seats allow you to keep baby safe. They are simple to install, feature features that make buckling and unbuckling simpler and come with other features such as soft fabrics and a no rethread harness. They also have design elements that help to ensure their safety in the event of a collision such as load legs that absorb shock. parts on the base or the car seat that reduce the movement of the seat and consequently reduce the force on your child.
Look for an infant car seat if you have a smaller car or plan to switch vehicles often. This kind of seat can easily fit in narrower vehicles, and many of them have a unique handle that makes it easy to tote. These seats are typically lighter than convertible car seat, making them easy to lift into and out of vehicles.
Another benefit of this car seat for infants is that it converts into a stroller with no requirement for an additional attachment. This is a huge benefit for families who are always in motion, or those who reside in areas where public transportation is more common. It's a bit larger than a typical car seat for infants, but not as large as a convertible car seat.
It's simple to use and our product testers were impressed by its buckle holders with magnetic buckles and harness that does not need rethreads, which makes it quick to get the baby out and in. It also has loads of features that make it more practical, such as a button-operated four-position recline and steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the base and turn green when secure.
Choosing the right infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll make as the new parent. It is essential to research and read reviews prior to making a decision. You want to make sure that the car seat you select is designed with your child's safety in mind, and that it is in compliance with the safety standards of the nation.