How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you would like from your car seat. "If you need a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be transformed into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limit.

The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also a plus. Other useful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that reduce the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial since you will be required to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last for your child for the first year. This means you won't need to worry about your child outgrowing its weight or height limit.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent but it's recommended to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. You might want to read reviews from other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

It is also important to look into whether a seat has features that can be beneficial to your family, like the strap release that is one-handed or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These types of features can make buckling up your baby quicker and easier but remember that even the safest seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them correctly.

The weight and the width of the car seat are equally crucial. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be narrow enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle Some can grow with your child and then transition to a booster seat simultaneously. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be installed with only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a great alternative.

In general it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically don't meet the highest safety standards for crash protection. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are those that fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 to $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and will be used as a toddler and infant seat.

The convenience features include the ability to be positioned using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat with ease, especially if you switch it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an portable infant car seat car seat, it's important to check the weight and height limits. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. As a rule, choose the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top rated baby car seats pick from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also has load legs, which helps stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats that have safety and convenience features.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting the right car seat for your infant, as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back seat with another car seat or siblings' seats. Although all models have weight and height restrictions, some are lighter. This will help you from having sore biceps when you carry it between cars.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more adaptable, such as rotating options or the ability to convert into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra safety in case of an accident. These features aren't necessary for safe riding, but they can enhance the overall experience.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents want a clean, comfortable car seat for their infant. Choose a seat that is machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear facing infant car seat and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and also an indicator that lets you know when the seat is securely attached. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle provide simple single-handed adjustments.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design their products with safety and ease of use as their primary goals. However, the broad selection of features makes it difficult to determine which is best car seats for newborns uk for your family. You'll need to take into consideration aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of your baby. You might also consider features that allow you to easily get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats will fit in every car.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installation and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, could influence this. It is also important to be aware of whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base which is a great option if you take taxis often or plan on changing cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and built-in locking mechanisms.

Certain features might be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or an extension canopy that locks into place. Our product testers have also noted that having a seat that can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the infant is done using it is a plus.

The Doona is an portable infant car seat car seat that pampers parents. It has many features that solve almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our product testers have rated it highly all over the board. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.