How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Car seats for infants are offered in a wide range of prices, based on the materials, styles and accessories. You don't need to shell out a lot of money for a good infant car seat.
Our product testers rated the best-performing infant car seats in five important categories safety, ease of use as well as reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The most effective infant car seat is rigorously crash tested. The best infant car seats have clear instructions and features such as bubble levels or padded seats to offer a good amount of support for the infant. We also found it helpful when a seat has easy-to-use adjustments that don't require the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that use a system of hooks and clips that allow for quick adjustments. Parents are more likely to maintain properly fitted harnesses if the process is simple and quick.
A seat that's machine washable is a benefit and we searched for models that allow for the seat to be placed with the base, reducing the chance of a tripped or lost buckle during washing. If you'll be using your car seat a lot, and particularly on public transportation it might be worth it to invest in a model that has self-retracting straps and a recline mechanism to ease the strain on your back.
It is important to conduct thorough research prior to making the purchase. Read reviews from customers and also reviews from advocacy groups for children. It's an excellent idea to check the manufacturer's website and read any recall notices before you purchase a car seat.
A car seat for infants is a small, movable car seat designed for newborns and babies who are up to their first birthday. They are generally used with a rear-facing design. Most infants outgrow their car seat they were in before they turn one. In the case of convertible and all-in-one seats, the child is then moved to a toddler seat. Infant-only car seats are designed to be used rearward-facing until your child is at the weight and height limits that are set by the manufacture. After that, they need to be switched to an automobile seat that faces forward. A convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used both ways, but it's more secure for your baby to remain in the rear-facing car seat until they are large enough to fit in an front-facing car seat.
Simple to use
It's important to choose a car seat that's easy for parents to use, even though safety is the most important factor. We test the buckles handles, harnesses, and buckle adjustments, as well as its ability to be installed into the vehicle. If the car seat is difficult to use, it may be used improperly and could affect the safety of your child.
Take a look at scheduling a consultation with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to when you bring your child home if you're concerned about installing your infant car seats. They'll be able to give you an accident test video and show you how to use your new car seat. Don't forget to read your car seat's manual. This will make it easier to avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.
In contrast to convertible car seats that are suitable for toddlers and older children, infant car seats only last until your child is outgrowing them or reaches the highest weight limit or height set by the manufacturer. It is important to select the best seat that lasts for as long as is possible before transitioning them to an adult car seat for older children.
Some infant car seats are convertible into strollers, meaning you can get more for your price. It is important to keep in mind that car seats that can double as a stroller weigh more than those that work only as an infant car.
A wide car seat for infants can make it easier to fit into your vehicle and could be compatible with other rear-facing seats. Also, you should be aware of the weight of the seat, as a lighter seat is more easy to take into and out of a car. This is an especially important consideration if you plan to use the infant seat frequently and will be transporting it between vehicles. We prefer lightweight, narrower models in our best infant car seat review.
Reliability
Making sure your child is safe is the most important thing you can do. And while every car seat sold must meet the federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. best car seat newborn of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example is two-stage body support which helps keep babies cozy and comfortable and is compatible with many popular strollers. It also earned a dazzling crash test score from Consumer Reports.
Be aware that even the most secure infant car seat can only be as secure as how it is installed and used. Unsafely installed or mishandled car seats are a major security risk for infants and children of all ages. This is why Vybiralova Stanton recommends studying the manual of the manufacturer and searching for videos of installation online. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more focused on making sure that you have the right seat for your car and baby," she says.
The best infant car seats are easy to install and use. They feature features like a single-handed buckle release magnetic strap holders that do not catch clothing, and a non rethread harness. These seats are made of strong materials and feature several adjustment mechanisms which work seamlessly.
Another feature to look for is whether the infant car seat has a base that can be used with or without the use of the use of a vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This can be useful for parents who often take taxis or who will be using their seat in many vehicles.
Finally, it's worth considering how much the car seat for infants weighs and whether you are able to easily carry it around with you. Some models are much heavier than others, and may burden your shoulders and arms, especially if you have other kids to carry around or are traveling long distances.
In the end, a car seat with a lower cost can save you money and time. Don't buy a low-cost car seat simply because it is inexpensive. A low price might indicate that the manufacturer has cut corners on quality of materials or safety features. Before you make a final decision, it's a good idea read reviews and get suggestions from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants make it simple to keep your baby safe. This means they're easy to put in place, have features that make buckling up or unbuckling much easier, and come with other convenience features like soft fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. These car seats also have design features that help them be more secure in the event of a crash. For example they have load legs, which absorb shock. parts that are located at the base of the seat. This reduces movement and consequently the force of impact on your baby.
If you have a smaller car, or you plan to change between multiple vehicles often choose a baby car seat that is compact and slim. This type of seat fits well in smaller vehicles and some have a handle that makes them easy to carry. They are usually lighter than convertible car seats which makes them easy to lift to and out of a vehicle.
Another great feature of this car seat for infants is that it converts into a stroller with no necessity of an additional attachment. This is ideal for families that are always moving around or living in cities that have public transport. It is a little more bulky than a traditional infant car seat, but it's not as big as a convertible model.
The top-rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our product testers liked it for its harness that is not rethread and buckle holders with magnetic buckles that make it super fast to get the baby in and out. It is equipped with features that make it more convenient to use, such as the recline that is operated by a button with four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base once secured.
As a new parent selecting the best car seat for your infant is among the most important decisions you will make. This is why it's important to read reviews and research of various options prior to making an informed choice. You want to make sure that the car seat that you choose is made with your child's security in mind and is in compliance with all safety standards of the nation.