The Full Guide To Best Car Seats For Infants
Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats are ideal for kids who are growing however, an infant car seat is ideal for newborns and babies. They are also lighter and easier to clip into strollers than their larger counterparts.
Kecia Healy Instructor for CPST, Kecia Healy, loved the recline leg with springs and a bubble indicator at the base of the Chicco KeyFit, as well as the ease of use. (The more user-friendly the car seat, the more likely that parents will be able to install it correctly. The model can also be used three across in most midsize cars.
1. Clek Liing Infant Car Seat
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is renowned for its top-rated convertible car seats, and the infant Liing is one of their top infant seats. The seat combines best-in-class safety features such as a metal load leg with easy, user-friendly installation and 7 different recline positions to adapt to the slope of your car seat. Additionally, a simple bubble indicator makes it easy to ensure that the seat is in the correct position before your child rides in it.
The base for the Liing is easy to put in by using LATCH connections that are rigid and fit into your vehicle's lower anchors which makes the seat much easy to secure. The Liing is a great option for families that are planning to change cars frequently or who want an easy and secure method to install a baby's car seats. You can also use the belt-tensioning system that comes with it to secure your child.
One of the features that sets the Liing apart from other infant car seat newborn car seats - visit this link, is its 2 piece Newborn Support System. The system comes with an lower insert that is able to slide over the crotch strap, and an attached headrest to the harnesses to stop newborns from slumping forward or pushing their heads backwards while in the seat. It's a game changer for tiny infants and preemies and is one of the only rear facing infant car seats to offer this type of support.
The Liing's crash-test framework made of metal reduces the force of crash by 40% compared with other infant seats. The shell of the seat is reinforced with EPP foam, which protects your child's head and body in the event of a crash. The seat's base has an aluminum load leg that absorbs energy and assists in reducing the risk of collisions.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is the top-rated infant seat. It is simple to install and use, and can adapt to your child's needs. It can also be used in conjunction with strollers to create an travel system.
The KeyFit is a fantastic option for parents looking for a safe, flexible and user-friendly seat. It scored highly in crash tests and is lightweight and easy to carry. It also has a wide range of weight and height limits. It is also made with babies' comfort in mind. The click-in point has soft material around it to ensure that your baby won't be burned by the metal. The newborn insert has a head surround to protect their little heads, and the seat pad your baby sits on is surrounded by energy absorbing foam cushions for a comfortable experience.
Installation is extremely simple. This is important because incorrectly installed infant seats can increase the risk of injury to your child. The KeyFit's premium LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch tightener create an extremely secure fit with little effort. The base also features ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble-level indicators to ensure the proper angle of the vehicle. For alternate installation, clear belt routing, lock-offs and the seatbelt of the car make it easy to position and tighten.
It does lose some points in the user-friendliness category due to the rethread-style harness height adjustment, which is a standard feature on many Chicco seats (and as well on their OG Keyfit model). This means you need to disconnect and manually re-thread straps from one level to another, which takes longer than other adjustments. This is a minor trade-off for the convenience of this seat.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The light Joie i-Snug 2 is an i-Size infant car seats that is built to the highest safety standards. It features a no-rethread belt and is compatible with Joie Strollers that accept Maxi Cosi style adapters. The installation guide is clearly marked and bubble levels are included to help align the seat. The car seat is comfy, with plenty of padding. It comes with a canopy that protects your child from direct sunlight.
The iSnug comes with an ISOFIX vehicle base that allows an extremely secure vehicle attachment. It can also be combined with an appropriate stroller to create a complete travel set-up. It's an infant car seat that is rear-facing that offers the best head and neck protection for babies and newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest is equipped with a layer of Intelli-Fit Memory Foam that protects your child from side-impact crashes.
As with any infant car seat, you'll need to replace it when your child reaches the weight and height limits, or when they reach their first birthday. Then you can upgrade to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that allows children to sit rear-facing for longer and is safer for them.
A convertible car seat has a greater rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant seat, and generally has a larger, more spacious interior. It's a good idea to switch to a convertible car seat as soon as is possible, to prevent your child from growing too quickly. In some cases parents can make the transition to an all-in-one car seat without needing to purchase an additional infant car seat. It's therefore important to choose the best convertible car seat for your family. Read our complete guide to get all the information you need to make the right choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is among the most highly-rated infant car seat in front seat car seats due to its safety, light design and its flexibility. It installs with rigid anchors for the lower part of the outboard seats in most vehicles and is also equipped with a vehicle seat belt using Euro routing (which uses the entire length of a vehicle's seat belt to ensure an extremely secure installation). It also comes with a GOTS organic baby car seat insert which is a great option for parents who are eco conscious and want to use organic products for their child.
With a weight of just 6 pounds without the canopy and inserts the Pipa Aire RX is among the lightest infant car seats on the market. This is thanks to the unique Aeroflex foam that's incredibly lightweight yet incredibly strong, reducing forces transferred to your child in the event of a crash. Other safety features include the 5-second steel-reinforced True Lock base installation, side-impact protection and a multiposition steel stability leg that features a crumple zone to limit forward rotation to provide greater rearward-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum carry handle that's both comfortable and light with leatherette accents for comfortable toting and superb grip. Magnetic buckle holders keep straps off from the way when you buckle your child, and color-coded indicators for installation ensure that the correct connections are made. The low-profile base enables easy, super-fast loading and the belt's path is open and locks that secure shoulder and lap belts.
Cleaning up after a messy family member shouldn't be. The fabrics and inserts of the Pipa Aire RX can be machine washed so that your car seat appears as good as it did following each use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
Nuna's PIPA air rx and PIPA Rx car seats are fantastic choices. However, the new Pipa Urbn is a step above. This ultralight infant car seats is super easy to carry, and weighs less than 7 pounds with the canopy and insert attached. It is user-friendly and luxurious design with features such as magnetic buckle holders that keep straps out of the way when you are buckling in baby and a green/red indicator to inform you that the installation is secure. ).
This innovative pipaFIX system allows it to be used without a base, unlike Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require one to be installed. This makes it a great option for parents who regularly use rideshare, taxis or travel.
Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. Those green-friendly materials also include a Merino wool and Tencel branded lyocell blend headrest as well as a machine washable, water-resistant body insert and cover.
The Pipa Urbn has the weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when rear-facing. This means that you may have to upgrade to a convertible seat sooner than other brands. That said, it is still a top choice for infants. This car seat is also compatible with travel systems and works with all Nuna strollers. You just need to click it on or attach with the rings adapter.