Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Think about what you would like 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 an unbackless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction. It also scores high for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other features that are helpful include load legs that absorb shock on the base of the car seat that limit the impact of a crash. Safety They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned 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 crucial because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being built to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits as fast as convertible car seats can. It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents and reviewing safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing data to share with families. It is also important to examine whether a seat has features that can be particularly helpful for your family, like the strap release that is one-handed and a harness with no rethread or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These kinds of features can help you buckle your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them in a proper manner. The weight and the width of the car seat are equally crucial. Many infant seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child and then transition to an adult seat simultaneously. If you plan to use your car seat to travel or take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only the seat belt of your vehicle will be a convenient choice. In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats. Convenience The most suitable infant car seats are those that can fit in your family vehicle and are easy to install, and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats can range between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive when they're convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat. Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you can adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and taking it off should be simple, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed. You should also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile. Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that provides more than just great 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 the extra money spent on a car seat with added safety features and convenience. Comfort Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting the right car seat for your infant, as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats are made of thick, breathable fabric and plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading. The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. baby car seat are smaller making it easier to fit in the backseat with other car seats or siblings' seats. While all models come with weight and height limitations certain models are lighter. This could save you from having sore biceps when you move it between cars. Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable. For example they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models are equipped with premium features such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of an accident. While these extra features aren't necessary for an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat. Parents want their children to be in 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 using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking fresh. Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide™ Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator that lets you know that the seat is securely attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base. Design Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and convenience as their primary goals. However, the wide selection of features makes it difficult to decide which one is the best fit for your family. You'll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits and the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of babies. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, like rotating mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats are suitable for every car. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're strong or flexible. It is also important to be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly. Certain features could be worth the extra cost, such as a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, or the canopy that expands and secures in place. Our product testers also noted that having a seat that can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby is no longer using it is an additional bonus. The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our product testers scored it highly across all categories. It's approved for travel on air and has an anti-rebound handle and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.