How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
The price of infant car seats can range across the gamut, depending on the type of material, style and add-ons. It's not necessary to shell out a lot of money for an infant car seat that is of high quality.
Our product testers gave the best infant car seats in five important categories safety, ease of use as well as reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The best infant car seat is rigorously tested for crash safety. They also have clear instructions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, including bubble levels and padded seats that provide adequate support for infants. We also found it beneficial to have a seat with easy-to-use adjustments that don't require the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or make use of hooks and clips for quick changes. Parents are more likely to use properly fitted harnesses if the process is simple and quick.
We looked for seats that could be machine washed and models that can be used with the base to decrease the chance of a buckle being dropped or loosened during washing. If you'll be using your car seat a lot, and particularly on public transport it could be worth the extra expense for a model that has self-retracting straps and a recline mechanism to ease the strain on your back.
It is essential to conduct thorough research before you make a purchase. Review reviews from customers and child safety advocacy organizations. Before you buy a new car seat it is recommended to check the website of the manufacturer and read any recalls.
Infant car seats are small, lightweight car seats that are designed for infants or babies up to the one year old. They are generally used with a in a rear-facing position. The majority of infants outgrow their car seats at the age of one or in the case of convertible or all-in-one car seats, are shifted to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats are designed to be used rearward-facing until your child is at the maximum weight and height limits set by the manufacture. Then, they must be switched over to the car seat that faces forward. A convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both ways, but it's better for your baby to stay in the rear-facing car seat until they're tall enough to be able to sit in an front-facing car seat.
Simple to use
While the safety of a car seat is paramount but it's also crucial to choose one that is easy for parents to use. That's why we examine things like buckles, harness adjusters and handles during our tests, as well as how easy it is to set up the car seat in a vehicle. If a car seat isn't easy to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could compromise your baby's safety.
If you're worried about putting in your infant car seat correctly, consider visiting a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) before bringing your baby home. They can show you how to use the seat and give you an example of an accident test. Don't forget to read your car seat's manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.
Infant car seats are not convertible, and can only be used until your child is outgrowing it or reaches the weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. It's a great choice to select the right seat that can be used for the longest time possible prior to changing your child into a larger car seat.
Some infant car seats be converted into a stroller, which will give you more bang for your money. But it's important to note that any seat that can be transformed into a stroller will be heavier than those that only function as an infant car seat.
Another factor to consider is the width of your infant car seat is. This can impact the ease with which it can fit into your car and if it's compatible with other seats you might have in the back row. It is also important to consider the weight of the seat, since a seat that is light is easier to move into and out of the car. This is a crucial consideration if you plan on using the infant seat often and will be transporting it between vehicles. In our top infant car seats review, we suggest models that are smaller and lighter.
Reliability
Making sure your child is safe is a top priority. While every car seat available must meet the federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example is two-stage body supports which helps keep infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. It also earned a dazzling crash test score from Consumer Reports.
It is important to keep in mind that even the safest infant car seat is only as effective in the way it is installed and used. A poorly installed or used car seat can be a major risk for infants and children of all ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton suggests reading the manufacturer's manual and searching for installation videos on the internet. "You'll find that manufacturers are more interested in making sure you have the correct seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.
The best infant car seats are simple to install and use. They feature features like a one-handed buckle release, magnetic strap holders which do not catch clothing, and a non need to rethread the harness. These seats are constructed of durable materials and come with several adjustment mechanisms which work smoothly.
A base that can be used with or without the LATCH system of the vehicle or shoulder belt is another feature to consider. This is useful for parents who take taxis frequently or who use their seat in more than one vehicle.
Also, you should consider how much the infant car seat weighs and if it's possible to easily carry it around. Some models are much heavier than others and can burden your shoulders and arms particularly when you have children to haul around or are traveling long distances.
In the end, a car seat with a lower price tag will save you money and time. Don't buy a low-cost car seat simply because it is inexpensive. A lower price could indicate that the manufacturer has compromised on safety features or material quality. Before making a final decision it's best to look over reviews and seek suggestions from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seat infant car seats make it easy to ensure your baby's safety. This means they are simple to install, have features that make buckling up and unbuckling much easier, and come with other convenience features like soft fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. They also come with features that ensure their safety in the event of a crash, such as load legs that absorb shock. components on the base of the car seat that reduce movement and thus impact forces on your child.
If you have a smaller car, or if you intend to switch between multiple vehicles often, look for an infant car seat that is small and slim. This kind of seat can fit easily in smaller cars and most have a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, which means they are easier to lift into and out of vehicles.
Another advantage of this infant car seat is that it transforms into a stroller with no necessity of an additional attachment. This is great for families that are always in motion or living in cities that have public transportation. It's a little larger than a typical car seat for infants, but not as large as a convertible one.
This top-rated infant car seat is easy to use, and our product testers loved it for its no-rethread harness as well as buckle holders with magnetic buckles that make it super fast to get the baby in and out. It also comes with a variety of features that make it more convenient, like a four-position recline with a button that is operated by a button, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out from the base and turn green when secure.
The choice of the right infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make as the new parent. This is why it's crucial to read reviews and research of different options before making an informed choice. You want to ensure that the car seat you pick is made with safety of your child in mind, and meets national standards for safety.