10 Key Factors About Best Infant Car Seat You Didn't Learn In The Classroom

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Think about what you want from your car seat. “If you're looking for a car seat to expand with your child, you should consider an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton suggests. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limit. It also scores highly in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are a useful feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the base or car seats and limit movement during the event of a crash. Safety The infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best, so they typically come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to lift out of the car or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely be required to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The dedicated infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child exceeding the weight limit or height. It's a good idea, however, to conduct some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families. Find features that will benefit your family. This could include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. infant carrier seat can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats are useless when they are not used in a proper manner. The weight and the width of the car seat are equally important. A lot of infant seats can be installed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Others can expand with your child and then convert to a booster at the same time. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only your vehicle's seatbelt will be a convenient choice. In general it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically do not meet the highest crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify. Convenience The best infant car seats are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family They are also easy to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 to $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher. Convenience features include how simple it is to install the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant out of the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can swiftly install the car seat properly installed. You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles as well as harness straps. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile. Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats with added convenience features and safety. Comfort One of the most important considerations when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, since infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats are made of the thick, breathable fabric as well as plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, like buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading. The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings seats. While all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it between vehicles. Some infant car seats have extra features to make them more versatile. For instance, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or bar that prevents rebound to give you additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential for an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat. Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it even easier to keep them looking clean. Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get a safe and comfortable experience. For instance, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to withstand both front and rear collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable and also an indicator that informs you whether it's securely attached to the base. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener allow for simple, one-handed adjustments. Design Manufacturers of infant car seats make them with safety and comfort as their primary goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to choose which is best for your family. It is important to take into account aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as load legs, anti-rebound bars and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Look for features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all cars. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they are rigid or flexible. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat. Some models allow you to use the seat without a base which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or if you plan on changing cars often. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to help make sure that the seat is placed correctly. Certain features might be worth the extra cost for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or a canopy that extends and locks in place. Our product testers have also noted that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby is finished using it is a benefit. Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants have rated it highly across the spectrum. It's approved for travel on air and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.