How to Choose the best car seats for infants Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for a car seat to expand with your child, you should consider an all-in-one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster or an unbackless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight limit.

The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an advantage. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.

Safety

Car seats for infants are made to fit small babies best infant seat, so they generally offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the car or set on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is crucial since you'll likely have to transport your child in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being designed to last through the first year of your child's life which means you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as quickly as a convertible car seat may.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are stringent however it's a good idea to do your own research prior to making a purchase. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and reviewing safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash test data to share with families.

You should also examine whether a seat comes with features that could be particularly helpful for your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed, a no-rethread harness or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats will not be useful if they are not used in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Others can expand with your child, and can be converted to a booster in the same time. If you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, then an cheap infant car seats car seat which can be installed by using only the seat belt of your vehicle will be a convenient choice.

In general it's best car seat infant to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. Beware of models that don't include side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seat car seats for infants are those that fit in your family vehicle and are simple to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive if they are convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat.

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 put in and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat.

It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles and rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. A good guideline is to choose a seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also comes with load legs, which helps stabilize the seat in a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. This feature alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, since babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have large, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need to be rethread.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort especially if it's going to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller which makes it easier to fit in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.

Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with high-end features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or anti-rebound bars to add additional safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) 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 that the seat is securely attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable the harness tightener and indicator indicate that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the dizzying array of features available can make it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost, but they can also improve comfort for baby. You may also think about features that help you get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.

One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, could influence this. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if there is a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful for those who plan to change cars or take taxis often. To ensure that your seat is correctly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanisms.

Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that grows with the baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks into place. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used as a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby has completed using it is an additional benefit.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our test participants have rated it as top in every category. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.