Infant Car Seats Best 101: It s The Complete Guide For Beginners
How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What makes one car seat better than another?
A specially designed infant seat is the best option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, such as premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, think about security features like load legs and body/head cushions.
Safety
As every parent knows choosing the correct car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The best seat will ensure that they're in the right position properly in the car and that they're adequately secured in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are created 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. Some models have features that are designed to protect infants. For instance load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the base and car seat. Others include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Dedicated infant car seat travel car seats are also designed to fit babies at their best and often come with extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. They are also lighter than convertible car seat and can be easily transformed into a stroller. This makes them suitable for daycare drop-offs, ride-shares and pick-ups. You can buy used ones at less than the cost as they're only used for the first 12 months.
A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are important however the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. A study by Portland's leading children's hospital showed that 95% parents made at least one mistake when installing or changing their car seat.
It is important to familiarize yourself before your baby arrives with the correct car seat guidelines. We suggest that you select a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so that it is easy to carry around with your baby.
You should also check to see whether the car seat for infants you're considering meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your capability to install and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you may be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands-on instruction.
Convenience
Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it easier to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they could have a base into which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features can make it more convenient to set up and remove the car seat, particularly if you have another child to attend to.
The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important to consider. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly it might be worth the extra money to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you utilize it for as long as possible.
Apart from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Look for padded straps which won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for soft fabrics that feel at ease under them. Select a seat with the ability to lie flat. This allows your baby to ride in an upright position, which helps keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura advises against purchasing any item that isn't included in the seat, as it hasn't been tested in a crash and may be unsafe. Avoid purchasing a used infant car seats because they might have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn.
The best forward facing infant car seat car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However they all share some features. They're all light easy to put in and remove, and are comfortable for the infant. Some have features that make them more versatile, like the ability to swivel and clip into strollers without the need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the best infant car seats for more information about the various options on the market.
Comfort
The best infant car seats come with features that provide comfort and make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. The best infant car seats feature one-handed clasps that lets you grip both sides at once. They also come with cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to consider how much the seat weighs--you'll be using it without a base in the end and a lighter weight is the best. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan to keep the car seat, choose a model that will expand with your child and fit them into the stage of toddlerhood. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not purchasing another seat.
You should also consider the dimensions of the seat and if it is narrower or wider than other models. This can be an advantage for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter could be beneficial when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or have to drive with three children in the back seat at some time. If you plan to use the car seat with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with the majority of strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that meet your needs.
Check the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Clear guidelines and indicators, like bubble levels or color-coding which indicate whether the seat is secured and level, can ease stress for new parents. Some seats come with unique features, such as load legs. These are shock-absorbing parts that extend from the seat base or under the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some force in the event of a crash.
There are accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience of your car seat. Be aware that anything not sold with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety tests. Segura suggests that you don't place anything in your car seat, including an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought from a different source.
Style
For parents who are new trying to figure out how to pick the best infant car seat is a bit of a puzzle. It's crucial to know your budget and what features you'd like. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. But it all boils down to comfort.
For example it's worth noting that rotating infant car seat-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some may have crash-tested extension kits to help them last longer). They also offer more recline options for proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter, which makes it easier to carry around. They are also more likely to work with a travel system, which can be helpful for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that can serve two purposes.
Another thing to keep in mind is that car seat weight and width are crucial elements for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, for instance are narrower and can be able to fit in the back of your car or next to other seats. Some are heavy enough to really test your biceps to lift and move from stroller to car.
In terms of convenience, many parents opt for infant car seats with the capability to move from the base to the carrier and click directly into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially during busy times when you're out running errands with your kids.
Other features that are useful include a harness that is not rethread with magnetic buckle holders, as well as an easy-to-install process. Also, look for a head and body support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the seat or carrier when they fall asleep.
The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps for their lower anchor connectors, however some come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This type of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of the event of a crash.