See What Infant Car Seats Best Tricks The Celebs Are Using

How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents should have car seats. What makes one seat superior to another?

A dedicated infant seat fits small babies best, and is lighter for easy transport outside the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, like premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look for safety features like load legs and head and body cushions.

Safety

As every parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you could make. The correct seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and properly protected in the event of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must conform to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all car seats are created equal. Some seats have features designed to protect infants. For example load legs help minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the car seat and base. Other features include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats for infants are also designed to fit babies at their most comfortably and usually come with extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. They are also lighter than convertible car seat and can easily be converted to a stroller. This makes them perfect for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs and pickups. You can buy used ones at only a fraction of the cost as they're only used for the first 12 months.

Another point to keep in mind is that even though an excellent NHTSA rating and great crash test results are crucial but the method you use your car seat is more crucial to your child's safety. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital showed that 95% of parents made at least one mistake when installing or adjusting their car seat.

It's important to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby is born with correct car seat guidelines. We recommend looking for a car seat with clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be easy to carry your baby in it, and that has easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms.

You should also check to see whether the infant car seat you're thinking of purchasing meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your own ability to install and use the car seat correctly you might want to bring it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) for an interactive session prior to the time your baby's birth.

Convenience

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them easier to use. For example, they may have a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they might come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to set up and remove the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care.

The weight and the height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into consideration. If your child is growing rapidly, it might be worthwhile to invest in a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you are able to use it as long as you want.

Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Find padded straps that won't touch or squeeze their shoulders and plush fabric that feels cozy under them for extended durations. Choose a seat that has a lie-flat position. This allows your child to ride in an upright position, which helps to keep their airways wide open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are many accessories for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura cautions against buying any item that isn't included in the seat because it is not crash tested and could be unsafe. Avoid buying a used infant car seats because they may be involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn.

While the top infant car seats can cost between $100 and $600, there are a few characteristics that the top choices have in common. All are lightweight, easy to install and remove, and are comfortable for the child. Some have features that make them more versatile, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more information about the different options available, take a look at our review of the top infant car seats.

Comfort

The best car seats infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. The best infant carrier seat car seats come with a one-handed clasp system which eliminates the need to grasp both sides simultaneously. They also come with cushioned padding to make it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.

Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat, select a model that will grow with your child and allow them to transition into the toddlerhood. Then, you'll be capable of using it for longer and save money on a second car seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it is narrower or wider than other models. The first can be useful for smaller vehicles. The second option could be helpful when you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you plan to use a car seat along with a pram, select one that is compatible with the most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that will satisfy your requirements.

To make it easier to use, check out the score a car seat receives for installation. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding, that indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats also have innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing components located beneath the seat or at the base that extend to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the force during a crash.

There are also some accessories that claim to increase your car seat's comfort and convenience, but keep in mind that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything in your car seat, such as the blanket or harness you purchased elsewhere.

Style

For parents who are new trying to figure out how to select the best car seat for your infant can be a bit of an exercise. It's crucial to know your budget and the features you want. There are many options in terms of special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's suitable for your baby.

For example it's important to note that dedicated infant seats fit small babies better than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of their lives (though some may have crash-tested extension kits to help them last longer). They typically come with more recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system which is beneficial for new parents trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that will perform double duty.

Car seat weight and width are also important aspects to take into consideration for the majority of families. Certain forward facing infant car seat car seats, like are narrower, which allows them to be able to fit in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are heavy enough to really test your biceps by lifting and move from car to stroller.

In terms of convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats with the ability to move from base to carrier and click directly into a stroller, without the need for additional attachments. This can save a ton of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands your children.

Other useful features include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Finally, you should look for a head and body support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap.

Some car seats have rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base if installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount of movement a car seat can move in an accident.