7 Simple Tricks To Making A Statement With Your Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're in need of a car seat that will grow with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limit.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an advantage. Other useful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that help to limit movement in 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 set on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely need to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limit.

It is an excellent idea, however, to do some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and reviewing safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to share with families.

Find features that will help your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats can be dangerous if they are not used in a proper manner.

The weight and the width of the car seat are equally important. Many infant car seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can grow with your child and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant newborn car seat insert seat that is fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great alternative.

In general it's best to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash safety. For example, 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 simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range between $180 to $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.

The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and taking it off should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able to adjust the harness and buckles and also move the seat when not in use. It's also important to check the weight and height limits of the cheap infant car seats car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features such as crash-testing, convenience and comfort 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 offers more than just crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. This feature 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 selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats are made of large, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect the comfort of your child, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others, which can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it between vehicles.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more flexible like rotational options or the capability to convert into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't required to ensure safety, but they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents require a clean, comfortable car seat for their baby. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby seat calm and comfortable and has an indicator to let you know when the seat is securely attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle the harness tightener and indicator let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the myriad of features available makes it difficult to decide what's the best fit for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits and the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve the comfort of babies. You might also consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, as not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, can influence this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful if your plan is to change taxis or cars frequently. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to ensure that your seat is set properly.

Certain features could be worth the extra cost for example, the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature and a canopy that extends and secures in the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is a nice bonus.

The Doona is an infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that solve almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across the board. It's approved for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.