11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Okay To Make With Your Infant Car Seat
Why a Portable Infant Car Seat is a Must-Have
Parenting is a tumultuous process with countless decisions. A portable infant car seat is a must for parents who regularly use taxis or rideshares.
These baby seats can be detached from their base, and clicked into compatible strollers. This allows you to move your child asleep without disturbing them or waking them awake.
Safety Features
Infant-only car seats are created to be as safe and secure as they can be for infants who are at risk to neck and head injuries. Depending on the model you select, an infant-only car seat could have energy-absorbing foam, or Side Impact Protection pods to protect your baby in the event of an accident. Other features include a five-point no-rethread harness and a recline for the most comfortable ride for your baby and strap holders to keep the straps from getting tangled. Some models come with an aluminum stability foot to prevent car seats from turning in an accident.
Many parents appreciate that infant car seats are typically compatible with strollers, which allows you to easily transfer your child from the car seat carrier to the stroller. The capability to do this without having to unbuckle your child is a major benefit, and it's especially useful when you plan to take your car seat on taxis or on public transportation. Most infant car seats have FAA approval for air travel so you can use them in the cabin of an airplane.
A portable infant car seat allows you to take your child on more family adventures such as camping and hiking excursions. They are usually smaller and less bulky than convertible car seats, which makes them more maneuverable in small vehicles or on uneven terrain. In addition some portable infant car seats have handles built-in to help you to carry them.
If you're not sure how to properly install your portable infant car seat make sure you consult an accredited child passenger safety technician (CPST). Find one in your locality by visiting the National Child Passenger Safety Website. There are some local police and fire departments also have CPSTs who can help without charge. You can join an organization such as Tot Squad for virtual or in-person assistance from a certified expert.
When making this choice it is important to take into consideration your lifestyle and the size of your vehicle. For example, a convertible car seat might not fit in your car's trunk, and it requires you to install the base separately. Additionally, it usually weighs more than an infant-only car seat, and cannot be used as an infant booster.
Comfort
When it is about infant car seats, comfort may not be the first thing that parents think of, but a pleasant ride can make a big difference for babies as well as their parents. Some of the best infant seat portable infant car seats feature soft shoulders and headrests for extra cushioning. Other seats provide reclining options that can be adjusted to ensure a customized fit. Some have sunshades built-in and storage pockets that are convenient for snacks, toys and other supplies.
When choosing the right car seat for your infant, safety is the most important consideration. There are many options to consider. For instance, some car seats have a no-twist belt indicator, which makes buckling your child easier, while others have an inbuilt bubble level to ensure rapid and precise installation. Many portable infant car seats are designed to work with a stroller to create a travel system, meaning you can easily transfer your little one between the car and your destination.
Other factors to take into consideration when buying a portable infant car seat include the weight and size of the seat and how easy it is to install and if it comes with additional safety features. For example certain seats come with the Euro belt route that makes it easier to ensure a secure fit without the base in some European vehicles, and others are certified GREENGUARD Gold for low chemical and VOC emissions. A lightweight seat is also easier to carry around.
Finally Some infant car seats are designed to be a toddler booster when your child is ready, which can save you money and time in the long run. This is especially beneficial for parents who regularly take taxis or rideshare services, because it lets them keep their child's seat in place while changing cars. Examples of this kind of portable cheap infant car seats car seat include the Doona that comes with integrated wheels to turn it into a stroller. It is FAA-approved to be used on airplanes. Other convertible infant car seats include the Graco SnugRide 35 DLX and the Evenflo Litemax DLX.
Convenience
For infants and newborns, portable infant car seats tend to be smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. Their compact design makes them easy to transport from one vehicle to another, especially if you're using the seat with a stroller that is compatible as part of the travel system. The majority of car seats come with a canopy that provides extra protection from the sunlight.
Infants and new born babies require an appropriate, secure fit in their carseats This is why portable infant car seats are an excellent choice for families. Most of the time, these car seats have extra padding in the head area, which can help protect a premature infant's head in the case of an accident. They also come with a five-point safety harness as well as side impact protection that has been carefully engineered to ensure your baby's safety and comfort.
Many portable infant car seats come with an attached base to your vehicle. The car seat is then plugged into the base or a stroller compatible with it, making it easy to move your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller and back without causing disturbance. It's also common for these car seats to feature a lock-off mechanism, which prevents your baby from being able unbuckle or undo their straps while in the seat.
When you are transporting your infant car seat from one vehicle to another, you should not loosen or undo the straps of your harness. This can cause strangulation in the event of a crash. Keep them securely buckled and secure the straps with a blanket or coat during cold weather.
It's important to think about how long believe your child will spend in their infant car seat before purchasing one. They tend to last less than convertible car seats due to the fact that they are designed specifically for newborns and infants. You might require a new seat sooner than you expected. Infant car seats are usually used until the child is no longer using it, which usually happens within the first year.
Cost
There are some costs to consider when deciding on which portable infant car seat to purchase. You're likely to have to purchase a separate base for your vehicle, and some models require that you install the carrier with LATCH. This will add to the overall cost of your purchase, however, it can save you money in the end since you don't have to purchase an additional infant car seat base if you have multiple vehicles.
You might also think about purchasing an all-in-1 car seat (also called a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 convertible car seats newborn seat). These seats can adapt to your child, from infants facing rearwards to toddlers who face forward, and then to boosters for older children. These offer great value for parents and can be an ideal choice when you frequently travel or take your child into and out of different vehicles. However, you will need to purchase an additional base for each vehicle you wish to use the seat in, and they tend to weigh more than infant car seats.
Another issue to consider is that a large number of infant car seats aren't compatible with strollers and you'll have to wake up your sleepy baby to transfer them. This could be a challenge for parents who have a hectic commute or who have to do many errands with their child in tow. If you are a parent who is using rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft the type of car seat may be the best car seats choice for you, since they permit you to quickly snap the seat into a stroller that is compatible and then continue your journey without causing any disturbance to your child.
Furthermore some parents choose to buy an infant car seat with a matching stroller as part of what's known as a travel system. If you're expecting a premature baby or a child who is smaller than average this is a fantastic idea. These types of car seats are designed to accommodate infants.
The majority of children will outgrow their infant car seat at around one year, based on their weight and height. You'll need to upgrade your child's car seat even in the event that they're not at their maximum weight or height.