An Intermediate Guide In Best Infant Car Seat
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? "If infant car seat for travel are looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can be converted into the high-back and backless booster.
The soft, machine-washable cushioning is also an added benefit. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or in the car seat that reduce movement in a crash.
Safety
They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will be required to transport your child's car seat out of the vehicle often. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent but it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash test data to give to families.
Find features that can be useful to your family. These include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features could help you buckle your baby quicker and easier however, you must remember that even the safest of seats are useless if you don't use them correctly.
Other things to keep in mind are the width and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant seats can be installed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. If you intend to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative.
In general, it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, since the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash safety. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include the ability to be installed using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. You want to be able to set up and take it out easily, especially if you switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.
You must also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.
Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to include additional features such as crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also comes with a leg that stabilizes the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats with added convenience features and safety.
Comfort
One of the most important considerations when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, since babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and ample padding in the headrest and harness. They have easy-to-use adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need the rethreading.
The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort, especially if it is being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or your siblings seats. Although all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from becoming sore when carrying it between vehicles.
Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more adaptable, such as rotational options or the capability to connect to a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as 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 essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.
In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.
Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for easy, one-handed adjustments.
Design
Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the myriad of features available makes it difficult to decide what's the best fit for your family. You'll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could raise the cost of the seat but improve comfort for your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, could influence this. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.
Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to switch taxis or cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is securely installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators as well as a built-in locking mechanism.
Some features may be worth the extra cost, such as the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature and the canopy that expands and secures in the correct position. Our product testers also said the fact that a seat can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby has completed using it is an added benefit.
Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It comes with a variety of features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our test participants have rated it highly all over the board. It's approved for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.