See What Good Infant Car Seats Tricks The Celebs Are Using
How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
The options available when it comes to selecting an infant car seat can be overwhelming. There are a few things you can do to narrow your search.
You can make your parenting journey easier by adding premium features such as load legs, an easy-to-tighten harness, and a headrest that extends with the baby's.
Ease of Use
When purchasing a car seat for your rotating infant car seat take into consideration the weight and height limits. It is important to make sure that the seat will last your child until they outgrow it, which is usually at around the age of two. You also need to consider whether you'd prefer a car seat that can go all the way to the 90th percentile for height or weight or one that's a bit shorter or taller. This will help you determine the length of time you'll use the seat for.
In addition to the size and weight, you should be aware of the ease of the seat to install and use. The ease of adjusting straps, latch connectors, and the number of buckle positions affect the ease of use. Think about the comfort of the head and body pads, as well as any additional features like a cupholder and hideaway harness pad.
The more user-friendly a seat is the more likely you'll be to use it in a safe manner which could have a big impact on your baby's safety. Seats that are simple to install and remove from the base with minimal effort are the best.
The weight of the car seat and its portability are also important aspects to think about. It is essential to be able to pick up the car seat with your baby in it and move it with ease. This is crucial if you are going on long trips. Also, you should examine the seat's dimensions in terms of width and height to ensure it fits your vehicle, and if you plan on using it with a stroller, search for a model that's compatible with many strollers.
In the end, it is recommended to take a close look at the crash test results of the manufacturer. You can find these results on the official website of the manufacturer or by doing an online search. You can find out if the seat has been used to protect babies from accidents and also what the policy for replacement.
Safety
If parents are in the market for a new infant seat, they must be sure that the product will keep their baby safe. All infant car seats have to adhere to safety standards outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Opens in a New Window which include rigorous crash tests and the five-point harness system.
However, there are a few other aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat. It is important to select the correct infant car seat based on your child's weight and height as well as the type of vehicle you have. It is also crucial to make sure the seat is installed correctly, as improperly installed car seats could increase the chance of injury in an accident.
A good infant car seats infant car safety seat will come with clear installation guides, a clear indicator for the level that is easy to read and the locking clip, which stops the base from being accidentally removed. It should also be lightweight and come with useful features such as an extendable no-rethread harness, anti-rebound bars and an extra-large load leg which helps protect your newborn from head injuries in the event of an accident.
Although it's not a must-have feature for all families however, some parents may wish to look for an infant car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat with the pull of a lever at the base. This will provide them with more flexibility and let their child use the seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight and height limit.
It is also important to consider how easy the car seat will be to use regularly. The buckle should be simple and smooth to click into place and out of. The straps need to be simple to loosen and adjust. The bag should be lightweight and easy to carry, even when empty. The base should be simple to remove without any hassle.
Lastly, it's an excellent idea to check for recalls on the car seat you're contemplating buying prior to making a purchase. You can do this by going to the NHTSA Opens in a New Window website, that has a searchable database that includes all past and current recalls of car seats.
Comfort
Parents are the most concerned about the comfort of their the infant car seat. These rear-facing car seats have been created to protect your baby in the event of an accident. Most include built-in back and head supports to ensure that they are comfortable. Look for a rear-facing seat that comes with features such as no-rethread straps as well as magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another aspect that can determine the success or failure of an infant car seat is how simple it is to set up and use. Idealy, you should be capable of getting the seat off its base using just one hand while holding the baby in the opposite. When you're ready to place the seat back on its base, it should click easily into the position, and it should take less than an hour.
Many infant car seats can also be used without a base - ideal for parents who often switch cars or take taxis. Check the weight and height limitations of the seat prior to purchasing it to ensure that your child is not too big. Car seats usually come with an infant insert which can be used when your baby is tiny (like in the initial few months or weeks of life) up until their shoulders are at the lowest slot on their harness.
If you're looking for an infant car seat that offers both convenience and safety, consider a convertible model. These seats are compatible with strollers and come with a mechanism to tuck them into the car when not in usage. They tend to be larger than car seats for infants and may be more difficult to transport around.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat comes with a load leg, which is a brace that is placed between the seat and the floor to provide additional stability. They're not required however they can be very helpful in small vehicles or for those with multiple car seat.
Convenience
A good infant car seat can give you peace of mind knowing that your child is safe and comfortable during long journeys. Look for features such as shoulder straps that are padded, extra padding for the neck to help your newborn get comfortable with a variety of recline positions, and more. You may want to look for car seats with extra features such as UPF 50+ shield and a zip-open canopy with complete coverage.
If you're looking for convenience, consider how easy the seat is to use and how easily it can be installed in the vehicle. You'll likely need to install the seat using the LATCH system and the vehicle belt, so find an option that makes this process as easy as it can be.
The Nuna Pipa is our top choice as the best car seat infant car seat. It's a simple installation process, because of the steel reinforced connectors at the base that appear and flash green if they are correctly connected. This feature, in conjunction with the recline angle indicators as well as colored belt-oath indicators, make this model stand out among infant car seats in terms of user-friendliness.
The seat is compact and lightweight. This makes it an excellent choice for parents who travel with their baby or switch between cars often. Additionally, it comes with a no-rethread harness and magnetic buckle holders that allow you to clip the harness with one hand.
The seat is narrower than other seats on the market and fits newborns better. Additional padding in the chest area and shoulder area offers additional comfort. It's also more expensive than some of the other options, but we think the best features, such as an adjustable base and SnugLock lockoff, are well worth it.
Infant car seats are a big expense, but with proper information and considerations you can narrow your choices to a few models that will best suit your family's requirements. Then you can focus on the crucial task of preparing for your little one's arrival!