Why Infant Car Seats Best Will Be Your Next Big Obsession

How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than the other?

A special infant seat is the ideal option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience features like premium connectors for lower anchors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look out for safety features like load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows, choosing the right car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The correct seat will ensure that they're placed correctly in the car and that they are adequately secured in the event of an accident.

While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all seats are created equal. Some seats have features that are designed to safeguard infants. For example load legs help reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing the impact forces on the car seats newborn seat and base. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit small babies best and often include crash-tested inserts to aid in this, according to Choi. They're also lighter than a convertible car seat and can easily be converted into a stroller. This makes them perfect for drop-offs at daycares, rides and pick-ups. Since they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life it's possible to purchase an used one at a fraction of the cost.

A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are important however, the method you use to install the car seat of your child is more important. In fact, a study done by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95 percent of parents have made at the very least one crucial mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

It's a good idea to take a few minutes to get familiar with the correct car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We suggest you look for a car seat with clear and concise instructions, is light enough to easily carry with your child in it and comes with easy-to-use adjustments.

You should also see whether the car seat for infants you're considering meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly by yourself, you may consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born to receive a hands-on instruction.

Convenience

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more user-friendly. For instance, they could have a base that the seat clicks into and out of, or they may have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features can help make it more convenient to install and detach the car seat, particularly if you have another child to look after.

The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important to take into consideration. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it might be worth the cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits to keep it in use for as long as you can.

Apart from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find comfortable straps that don't squeeze or rub their shoulders, and a soft fabric that feels cozy under them for extended periods of time. It's also an excellent idea to select a seat with the option of lying flat, which allows your newborn to be in a reclined position that helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high.

There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura advises against purchasing any item that isn't included in the seat, as it is not tested for crash and could be unsafe. Also, avoid purchasing used infant car seats, as they may have been in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

The top infant car seat swivel car seats cost between $100 and $600. However, they all share some characteristics. They're all light, easy to install and detach and are comfortable for infants. Some have features that make them more flexible, like the ability to rotate and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more details on the various choices available, read our comparison of best infant car seat uk car seats.

Comfort

Top infant car seats are fitted with features for comfort that make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. The top infant car seats feature a single-handed clasp system that eliminates having to grip both sides simultaneously. They also come with padding that is cushioned to make it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to consider how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, after all and a lighter weight is better. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight and height limits of the infant car seats is also crucial. If you intend to keep the car seat, choose a model that will grow with your child and allow them to transition into the toddlerhood. Then, you'll be capable of using it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat.

You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or larger than other models. This can be a boon for smaller vehicles, and the latter could be beneficial for families with two children in car seats that are back-to-back or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use a car seat along with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Brands such as Graco or Nuna offer options to satisfy your requirements.

For ease of use, take a look at the ratings a car seat receives for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color codes--can assist in easing the burden on the new parents. Some seats also have innovative features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing parts found under the seat or base that extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the impact force in a crash.

There are also accessories that claim to increase the convenience and comfort of your car seat. But remember that anything that's not sold with the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. Segura advises that you shouldn't place anything in your car seat, such as a blanket or harness you bought elsewhere.

Style

For parents who are new, figuring out how to choose the best infant car seat can be quite an exercise. It is important to determine the budget you have set and the features that you'd like to have. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort.

For example it's important to note that infant-specific seats fit small babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some might come with crash-tested extension kits to help them last longer). They also have more recline modes to ensure proper positioning for smaller children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which is beneficial for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to do double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important to consider for most families. Certain infant car seats, for example are narrower and can be able to fit in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are heavy enough to test your biceps strength and transfer from stroller to car.

Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller without needing any additional attachments. This will help you save a lot of time, especially during busy times when you need to complete errands.

Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy-to-install process. Also, look for an head and body support insert, which can help prevent infants from slumping in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.

The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps for the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and reduces the amount that a seat can move during a crash.