How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents should have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat better than another?

A dedicated infant seat is the best option for babies who are small. It is also lighter, making it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier like premium connectors for lower anchors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, look for security features like load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows that choosing the best car seat is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The correct seat will ensure they're positioned correctly in the car and ensure they're protected in the event of an accident.

While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all car seats are created equal. Some models have features that are designed to safeguard infants. For example, load legs prevent movement in crashes by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Others include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit small babies most comfortably and usually include extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller, making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. Since they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy a second-hand one for a fraction of the cost.

Another point to keep in mind is that, while an excellent NHTSA rating and great crash test results are crucial, the way you use your car seat is more critical to the safety of your child. In fact, a study done by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95% of parents made at the very least one crucial mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.

This is why it's a great idea to take a few minutes to get familiar with the correct car seat use guidelines before your baby arrives. We suggest you look for a car seat with clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be able to carry your baby in it, and comes with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms.

It is also important to determine if the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're worried about your capability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you may consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands-on instruction.

Convenience

Some infant car seats have 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 on which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features can help make it more convenient to set up and remove the car seat, especially when you have other children to attend to.

It is also important to consider the weight and height limits for the infant car seat. If you have a child who is growing quickly it might be worth the cost to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you utilize it for as long as possible.

In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat must also be comfortable. Look for padded straps that won't squeeze or rub their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft underneath them for long periods of time. It's also a good infant car seats idea to choose a seat with an option to lie flat, which allows your newborn to ride in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns you that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat because they haven't been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Also, avoid purchasing used car seats for infants, as they may be involved in a crash and can be damaged or worn out.

The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to more than $600. However, they all share a few characteristics. They are all lightweight, easy to install and remove, and comfortable for the child. Some have features that make them more flexible, like the ability to rotate and clip into strollers, without the need for additional adapters. Check out our review of the best infant car seats to get more information about the various choices available.

Comfort

The best infant car seat that swivels car seats are fitted with features that provide comfort and make it easy to get your baby in 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. It is also important to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.

The weight limit and height of the infant car seats are important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a while choose one that will adapt to your baby's needs and will fit them well into toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not buying a second seat.

You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The first one is useful for smaller vehicles. The second may be helpful when you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you are planning to use your car seat along with strollers, choose one that can be detached from car seats that are compatible with the majority of strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that meet your needs.

Review the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened -- like bubble levels or color coding--can aid in reducing stress on the new parents. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the seat base or beneath the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb some force in the event of a crash.

There are also accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. However, remember that anything not sold with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety testing. "Anything you purchase that's not from the manufacturer, even the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents, figuring out how to pick the best car seat for your infant can be quite an exercise. It's crucial to know what your budget is and the features you're looking for. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility and even fabrics. But it all comes down to comfort.

For example it's worth noting that infant-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some may have crash-tested extension kits to help them last longer). They tend to offer more recline options to ensure the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are more likely to be compatible when used with a travel infant car seat system. This is beneficial for parents who are new and want to save money and time by purchasing seats that can serve two purposes.

Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat size and weight are key elements for families with a large number of children. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others for a better fit in the back of your car, or for use with siblings' seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps as you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.

Many parents opt for an infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier, and then convert into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially on busy days when you're out running errands with your children.

Other features that are useful include a magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a simplified installation process. Also, look for an arm and head support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.

Most car seats use flexible straps for their lower anchor connectors but there are some that feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green once installed. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount a seat moves in the event of the event of a crash.