Ten Myths About Best Infant Seat That Aren t Always The Truth

best car seat newborn uk Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love, including extra padding, a padded inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

When selecting our top choices, we looked at factors such as weight (without base), stroller compatibility, features and prices. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

All car seats for infants sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that go beyond the minimum requirements. These can include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair comes with, the better.

The more user-friendly a car seat is and the more likely parents will be to use it in a safe manner and decrease the chance of injuries to their child in an accident. This is particularly important for the infant car seat, as it's only designed to last for a short period of time. Find a seat with a bubble indicator and an adjustable foot with a spring for making it easy to set the seat. Make sure the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.

Other features that top-quality car seat makers offer include the no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful, a car seat's safety is only as good as the car that you use to drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's guide on how to secure your infant's car seat and learn more about the safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be allowed to use it for about 2 years, until your child is ready to switch to a convertible car seat. This is the reason why some families decide to skip an infant car seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which is more spacious and has higher height and weight limits. If you decide to purchase an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your car and try a few models in person before committing to one. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for your child, fits in your car seat inserts for newborns, and has convenient features like converting to a stroller. Also, make sure to verify recalls prior making the purchase. It's the most crucial aspect to ensure your child's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

You're looking for a car seats for your infant car seats cheap that is easy to connect and remove from the base, whether you intend to use it in a single vehicle or shift it between several. It is important to look for clear instructions on installation and a smooth mechanism. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials used.

Some infant seats have a load leg. This brace that serves as a support between the seat's base and the vehicle's floor that provides additional security in the event of a collision. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if are driving an older vehicle since the likelihood of suffering a head injury is greater if the child is too close to the floor.

Other premium features that can enhance the user experience include a harness that is not rethread and an anti-rebound bar that can prevent the seat from bouncing back in a crash. The latter has been proven by research to decrease the risk for head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat that has a few key premium features I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was given an outstanding rating by child-passenger safety experts. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness that can be reclined in five positions, and an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look out for is the type of seat that can be installed using a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need the journey back and forth to the car to install a new seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the equivalent TRIV travel system come with an extremely rigid LATCH system integrated into the seat's bottom making it quick and simple to install in any vehicle. It also can be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to an highback booster or a belt-positioning booster with a backless design (40-120 pounds). This is a great option if you're on a budget.

Comfort

If your child is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's crucial that they feel comfortable. This means straps that are padded on their shoulders, plush fabric that is soft against their back and stomach and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Choose a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow, as well.

While a seat with lots of features might cost more, they're also often easier to use. That's why we look at factors like a one-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also take note of dimensions and weight since a heavy or bulky seat can add stress to your biceps when you're carrying it in and out of your car, or in between cars.

A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash is another good choice. This safety feature is usually only available in high-end seats, however, there are a few affordable models that include it.

Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll want to ensure the seat will remain suitable for your child once they reach their highest growth spurt usually between the ages of two and three. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be converted into a toddler seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which is a combination of an infant car seats best car seat inserts for newborns seat and stroller into one unit. It's the ideal choice for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It's also simple to install. Our experts who tested it praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching mechanism and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is small which is crucial for those with limited trunk room. Additionally, it's free of harmful chemicals which is a major benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.

Convenience

The best infant seats have features that make it easy to use. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Other important features to look at is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to help with cleaning) and if it has a canopy that can be useful in the car and attached to a stroller.

One feature that might seem like a small difference but can save you a lot of trouble is an indicator on the base that will let you know that it's been properly installed. This line is on the side of the base and should be parallel to the ground after you've completed. This is especially helpful in the event that you will be changing the car seat frequently, or if your baby will be traveling with you and you have to set it up in Ubers or taxis.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it easy to take your baby to the supermarket or to run errands. You don't have to worry about the hassle of a separate car seat. This could be a huge advantage for parents with newborns who want to get back to their routine after an extended commute or a trip with a newborn.

If you are expecting your child to grow rapidly pick the car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for a longer period of time.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are made to be equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that brace the seat's base to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of head injuries from crashes. Other extras, such as a no-rethread harness and an extended canopy, can help create a more comfortable ride for baby and help you be a happier and more confident parent.