How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant

Infant car seats are available in a variety of prices, depending on the materials, styles and accessories. You don't need to spend a fortune on the best infant car seat.

Our product testers rated the best infant car seats in five key categories: safety, ease of use, reliability, convenience and adjustability.

Safety Ratings

The best infant car seat is rigorously tested for crash safety. They also come with clear directions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seating that provide adequate support for babies. We also found it beneficial when a chair has simple adjustments that don't require the infant out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that use a system of hooks and clips for quick adjustments. Parents are more likely to use properly fitted harnesses if the process is simple and quick.

A seat that's machine washable is a benefit We looked for models that allow for the seat to be positioned with the base, reducing the possibility of a lost or damaged buckle during washing. If you'll be using your car seat a lot especially on public transportation, it may be worth the extra expense for an auto-retracting straps and a reclining mechanism to help reduce the stress on your back.

The choice of a baby car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we recommend doing your research on it thoroughly before purchasing. Review reviews from other parents as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. Before purchasing car seats, it's an excellent idea to visit the website of the manufacturer and read any recalls.

A car seat newborn seat for infants is a small, portable car seat specifically designed for newborns and babies until their first birthday. They are generally used with a in a rear-facing position. Most infants outgrow their car seat by 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 seats should be used rearward-facing until your child reaches the maximum weight and height limits that are set by the manufacture. Then, they must be switched over to a car seat that is facing forward. The convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they have reached the age of maturity to move forward.

Simple to Use

It's important to choose a car seat that is easy for parents to use and children, even though safety is the most important aspect. That's why we look at things like buckles, harness adjusters and handles in our tests, as well as how easy it is to install the car seat in a vehicle. If the car seat is difficult to use, it could end up being used incorrectly and could affect your baby's safety.

Consider scheduling a consultation with a certified child safety technician (CPST), before you bring your infant home, if you are concerned about installing your infant car seats. They'll be able to show you a crash test video and teach you how to use your new seat. Be sure to read the car seat's manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.

Infant car seats aren't convertible, and they can only be used until your child outgrows it or exceeds the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer. This is why it's a good idea to choose a seat that can be used for the longest time possible prior to changing your child into a big kid car seat.

Some infant car seats can even convert into a stroller, which will provide more value for your money. It's important to note that car seats that can double as a stroller weigh more than those that are used as an infant car.

Another aspect to be aware of is the width of your infant car seat is. This can affect how easy it is to fit in your vehicle and if it's compatible with other seats you might have in the back row. You'll also want to take into consideration how heavy it is, since lighter seats are easier to lift in and out of the car seat newborn. This is an especially important factor to think about if you're planning to use the infant seat frequently and will be transporting it between vehicles. For these reasons, we prefer narrower, lightweight models in our top infant car seat review.

Reliability

The safety of your child is the top priority. While every car seat on the market must comply with the federal safety standards, some exceed. Clek's Liing is one of the winners of the Best of the Bump award. It features a two stage body support system that keeps babies comfortable and cozy. Consumer Reports also gave it the top score in a crash test.

It is important to keep in mind that even the safest infant car seat is only as effective as the way it's put in place and used. A poorly-installed or incorrectly-used car seat is a major risk factor for infants and children of all age groups. Vybiralova Stanton recommends that you read the manual of the manufacturer of your car seat and search for videos of installation online. "You'll find that manufacturers are more focused on making sure you have the correct seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to install and use. They come with features like a one-handed buckle release and magnetic strap holders that do not snag clothing, and a no rethread harness. The seats are made of strong materials and feature several adjustment mechanisms which work smoothly.

A base that can be used in conjunction with or without the LATCH system in the vehicle or shoulder belt is an additional feature to consider. This is helpful for parents who frequently take taxis or who will be using their seat in several vehicles.

It's also important to take into consideration the amount that the car seat weighs and whether you can carry it with ease. Some models are heavier than others, and they can be a strain on your shoulders and arms especially if you're transporting other children or going long distances.

In the end, a car seat with a lower cost can save you money and time. Don't purchase a cheap car seat just because it's cheap. A lower price could indicate that the manufacturer has cut corners on safety features or quality. Before you make a final decision it's a good idea to read reviews and get suggestions from other parents.

Convenience

The best infant car seats make it easy to keep your baby safe. They are easy to install and feature features that allow for buckling and unbuckling with ease and include other convenient features such as soft fabrics and a non-rethread harness. They also have design elements that help to make them more protective in the event of a collision such as load legs which are shock-absorbing parts of the base or the car seat that reduce movement and thus impact forces on your child.

Look for an baby car seat if you have a small car or plan on changing vehicles often. This type of seat fits well in smaller vehicles, and many come with a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, meaning they're easier to lift in and out of the car.

The infant car seat converts into a baby stroller without needing an additional attachment. This is great for families that are always moving around or living in cities with public transportation. It's a little bigger than a traditional car seat for an infant, but not as large as a convertible car seat.

This highly rated infant car seat is easy to use, and our product testers liked it for its no-rethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders which make it incredibly fast to get baby in and out. It is equipped with features that make it more convenient to use, including a button-operated recline with four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base after being secured.

As a new parent, selecting the best car seat for your infant is among the most important decisions you'll ever make. This is why it's crucial to research and read reviews of various options prior to making the decision. You must ensure that the car seat you select is designed with your child's security in mind and that it is in compliance with all safety standards of the nation.