What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

Parents have two options to choose the right car seat for their child carseats for infants and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are only designed for rear-facing use, therefore they last a little longer.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to make a travel system. This allows parents to get their baby out of the car into the stroller without causing any disturbance to them.

Safety

Many parents have concerns about how secure the infant car seat is, particularly when they are buying one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your child as safe as is possible in the event of a crash. Typically they are placed with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the best infant car seat option for infants who are at the greatest risk of injury during an accident.

These seats also have extra padding to offer head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event of an accident. This is particularly important with young infants, who have big heads and necks that are easily injured by the force of a crash or sudden stop. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, forming a travel system that allows you to easily move your baby from your car to your stroller without having to worry about them.

Additionally, most infant car seats have bases that can be fitted in other vehicles to permit you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services often. It also makes traveling with infants on planes much more convenient.

Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that don't have an element of base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who wish to help you out with the transportation of your child!

It's important to keep in mind that a baby car seat is not designed to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies can tip or roll over, causing injuries and even suffocation. This is why you should always read the safety instructions carefully prior to using an infant car seat in a different place.

Portability

Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system" that is made up of the car seat base and frame of the stroller. They snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents the ability to move their baby from an automobile to a stroller without waking him up. This feature is the main reason that more than 80% of Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.

Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to take their child from the car and put it on a stroller frame to allow them to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is a great feature to look out for if you are considering using a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require a child to be in a safe seat.

Infant car seats are generally lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent choice for families who like to be active. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat themselves. This is especially helpful when you're planning a trip you don't want to awake your top rated baby car seats for.

Infant car seats last until your child is a toddler and they have outgrown the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing seat for newborns, then transformed into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great choice if you are looking to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as you can. There is even a convertible seat that will convert into a high back booster seat when your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when looking through options!

Easy of Use

A baby carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat that clicks into a base installed in your car. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers secure until they reach the weight and height requirements of the booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap time.

Find an infant car seat with an attachable carrier that attaches to the base or a stroller. This will make it easier to get your child into and out of the car particularly when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to make sure they are positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are too low or high, they can't be properly used and could be dangerous in a crash.

Some infant car seats come with lower anchors which can be used with or without the base. This is great for taxi rides or traveling by plane. It's important to check that the lower anchors are on a European routing path and are simple to set up and remove and look for an audible click to ensure the seat is properly secured. It's important to choose a seat that has an easy harness and a carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's Click Connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.

Convertible car seats are the next step following an infant carrier. They can be used up until your child meets the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used in conjunction with a stroller but don't provide the infant-like fit and convenience of a car seat for infants. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically larger and less portable, which can make them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.

Installation

Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, is a challenge. It is important to do so correctly and safely. The factors that affect this include the seat positioning, the angle of the base, and the best way to use the handle.

Most infant car seats are made to be connected to a base which remains in the vehicle, a system commonly referred to as a traveling system. These seats are designed to be used in the rear position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing seats. The majority of car seats have an indicator of angle built-in that can be used to determine whether the seat is at the right semi-reclined position for your child. The base may also have an adjustment mechanism to alter the angle.

Another feature to look out for is whether the seat has an option to alter the shoulder strap height without having to disengage and adjust the straps. This can be a significant time saver, since it will probably need to be done multiple times during an infant's car seat use.

Certain cars have a hard point in the back of the seat that is specifically designed to hold baby car safety seats. They are typically tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks are designed for the specific seat and should be able to snap into place with minimal effort. They may also make distinct sounds when they are securely connected.

It's also a good idea to test out the car seat on the child first to make sure it works well for your family. If your child feels uncomfortable or the car seat won't click into the base, you should search for a different alternative.

Some car seats can be installed without a base, which is beneficial if you take public transportation or use taxi services like Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without having a base by simply pressing a lever or a button. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. A lot of them will give you a "click" to signal that it's secure.