20 Myths About Best Infant Car Seat: Busted

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Consider what you want from your car seat. “If you're looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, think about an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton suggests. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both the high-back and backless booster. The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Other helpful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that limit movement in a crash. Safety Dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best, and so they typically come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame which is important because you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle often. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are rigorous but it's a good idea to do your own research prior to purchasing. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing data to provide to families. Look for features that will help your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanism. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats will not be useful if they are not used in a proper manner. The weight and the width of the car seat are also important. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be small enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child, and move to an adult seat at the same time. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only the seat belt of your vehicle is an ideal choice. In general, it is recommended to buy the safest car seat you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. 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 in your family vehicle They are also easy to install and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price from around $180 to $500. If they are convertible, and are intended for both infants and toddlers, the price can be higher. The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. You need to be able to install 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 guidelines and bubble levels so that you can quickly install the car seat properly installed. You should also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have access to buckles as well as harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to check the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they reach their first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile. While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, a few manufacturers go above and over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with a load leg, which helps stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth spending more on car seats with added convenience features and safety. Comfort One of the most important factors when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, as infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature comfortable, breathable fabrics and ample padding in the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need rethreading. The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect comfort, especially if it is being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them easier to fit in the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings seats. While car seat inserts for newborns Push Chairs And Prams come with height and weight restrictions, some are lighter. This will help you from sore biceps when you move it between cars. Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more adaptable like rotational options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Some models come with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat. In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable car seat for their infant. Look for a model that's machine washable and stain-resistant, and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it even easier to keep them looking new. Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide™ Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator to let you know when the seat is properly secured. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator indicate when it is properly attached to the base. Design Manufacturers of infant car seats design their products with safety and ease of use as their main goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limit, the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost but could also increase comfort for baby. Look for features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and base weight, as not all seats will fit in every vehicle. One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. You should also consider whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Certain models allow you to use the seat with no footrest, which can be useful when you plan to change taxis or cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is securely installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanisms. Some features may be worth the extra cost like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or the canopy that expands and locks in the position. Our product testers also said the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is an added bonus. Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers scored it highly across every category. It's affixed for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.