How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Car seats are an essential item for parents. But what makes one better than another?

A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the most tiny babies, and is lighter to facilitate transport outside the vehicle. Look for convenience features like premium connectors for lower anchors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, look into safety features like load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, selecting the best car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions you can make. The right seat will ensure that your child is placed properly and is adequately secured in the event of a crash.

Not all car seats are equal. Although every seat sold in the US must adhere to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Certain models have features specifically designed to safeguard infants, for instance, load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat as well as built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.

Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to fit babies the best car seats. They typically include crash-tested inserts which can help achieve this. They're also lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily converted into a stroller. This makes them ideal for drop-offs at daycares, rides and pickups. And because they'll only last through your baby's first year and beyond, you can always purchase an older model for only a fraction of the cost.

Another thing to consider is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat for newborn seat is even more critical for your child's safety. In fact, a study done by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95 percent of parents made at least one serious mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

That's why it's a good idea to take a few moments to get familiar with the correct car seat use guidelines before your little one arrives. We recommend that you choose a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so that it is easy to carry around with yot, easy to install and take down, and are comfortable for the baby. Some even have special features that make them more versatile including the ability to rotate and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more details on the different options available, take a look at our list of the top infant car seats.

Comfort

The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to consider the weight of the seat--you'll be using it without a base after all so a lighter model is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a period of time choose one that will adapt to your baby's needs and fit them into toddlerhood. You can keep it for longer and save money by not purchasing a second seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's wider or larger than other models. This can be an advantage for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter may be helpful if you have two kids in car seats that are back-to-back or have to drive with three children in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you intend to use the car seat along with strollers, you should look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement.

To make it easier to use, check out the score that a car seat gets for installation. Clear guides and indicators, like bubble levels or color coding to indicate if the seat is secured and level can ease stress for parents who are new. Some seats also have unique features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components found under the seat or at the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force of a crash.

There are also a few accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience, but remember that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or vetted for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything in your car seat, including an accessory like a blanket or harness that you purchased elsewhere.

Style

It can be difficult for new parents to figure out the best infant car seats. It's important to know what your budget is and what features you want. There are plenty of different options in terms of special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot depends on what's most comfortable for baby.

For example it's worth noting 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 may have extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to ensure they last longer). They tend to have a greater number of recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are more likely to work when used with a travel system. This can be useful for new parents wanting to save money and time by buying seats that serve two purposes.

Car seat weight and width are important to consider for most families. For example, some infant car seat that swivels car seats are designed to be narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car, or for use alongside siblings in their seats. Some are also enough weighty to test your biceps strength and transfer from stroller to car.

Many parents opt for an baby car seats that can be changed from a base to a carrier and then convert into a stroller, without any extra attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands your little ones.

Other features that are useful include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Finally, you should look for a head and body support insert, which will aid in preventing infants from slumbering in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.

Some car seats have rigid latches that open from the base when installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and may limit the amount a seat moves during the event of a crash.