How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
Consider what you want from your car seat. “If you need a car seat that will adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight restriction.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1169/maxi-cosi-rodifix-m-i-size-high-back-booster-seat-3-5-12-years-100-150cm-kids-car-seat-g-cell-side-impact-protection-adjustable-height-quick-easy-buckle-up-isofix-car-seat-basic-black-1.jpg)The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an added benefit. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components which are attached to the car seat base and limit movement during the event of a crash.
Safety
They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, which is why they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to take out of the car or set onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is important because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of being built to last for your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their weight or height as fast as the convertible car seat might.
It's a good idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.
Find features that can benefit your family. These include an easy release of the strap, a no-rethread harness, or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the safest seats can be dangerous when they are not used correctly.
Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be installed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some can be able to grow with your child, and convert to an adult booster at the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that is fitted using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a good option.
In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants are those that can fit in your family vehicle They are also easy to install and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. They may cost more if they are convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be positioned with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. You should be able to put in and take it out easily, especially if you switch it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly get the car seat correctly installed.
It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles and turn the seat around when it is not in use. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features such as crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling, a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats with added safety features and convenience.
Comfort
Comfort is a major factor to take into consideration when selecting the right car seat for your infant, as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding for the harness and headrest. They come with easy-to-use adjustments such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments which don't require rethreading.
The weight and size of a baby car seat can also impact comfort, especially in the event that you intend to change cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Some models are tinier, making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, some are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.
Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more flexible including rotational options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Other models include top features such as harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or bars that prevent rebounding to provide extra safety in the case of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required to ensure safety, but they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable car seat for their child. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have an enjoyable and safe experience. For instance, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that informs you that it's attached correctly to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable as well as harness tightener indicator indicate that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
Car seat manufacturers create infant car seat swivel car seats with safety and convenience in mind, however the myriad of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features like load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could raise the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your baby. You might also consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You'll also want to pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats will fit in every car.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, could influence this. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened and loosened and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which can be convenient for those who frequently use taxis or plan on switching 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 mechanism.
Certain features could be worth the extra expense like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, or a canopy that extends and is locked into the correct position. Our product testers have also observed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the infant is done using it is a plus.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will pamper parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about cheap infant car seats car seats newborn seats, which is why our testers scored it highly across every category. It's approved for travel on air and has an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.