You'll Never Guess This Best Infant Seat's Secrets

Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats comply with federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. Our best car seats infant of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will appreciate, including extra padding, a padded inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no rethreading.

When selecting our top rated baby car seats choices, we looked at factors like weight (without base), stroller compatibility, special features, and price. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features that go beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs as well as a rethreader that is built-in strap-holding sides, and much more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a seat has, they better.

The more intuitive a car seat, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will lower the chance of injuries to their child during a crash. This is especially important with the infant car seat, as it's only designed for only a brief period of time. Look for a model with a bubble indicator and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to adjust the seat. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Other premium features that some car seat makers offer include a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are fantastic the safety of a car seat is only as good as the car in which you drive. Go through the owner's manual to learn how to ensure the safety of your infant's seat as well as to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be able to use it for about 2 years, until your child is old enough to move to convertible car seats. This is why some families choose to leave out the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible car seat, which has greater height and weight limits. If you decide to purchase an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your car and try a few models in person prior to making a decision on one. You can ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit inside your car and comes with useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product before you purchase it. It's vital to ensure your child's safety on the road.

User-Friendliness

If you're using the seat in a single car or moving it among many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to put in and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled instructions for installation and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.

Some infant seats have a load leg. It's a brace that acts as a support between the seat base and the floor of the vehicle and provides extra stability in case of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older car, because the risk of a head injury is higher if the child is too close to the floor.

Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. They include a no rethread harness, and an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from spinning in a crash. The latter has been proven to reduce the risk of head injury by up to 43 percent. The Evenflo LiteMax DLX is a fantastic choice for those on a tight budget who want a car seat that is ARC-certified and comes with a number of premium features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat received an outstanding rating by child-passenger safety experts. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extended canopy that has magnets that ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look for is a seat that can be put in with just the lap belt, and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require an extra return trip to the car to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems, for example are equipped with a sturdy LATCH that is built into the bottom of their seats, making them quick and easy to install. It also can be used with a rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward facing infant car seat-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to the highback booster or backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 pounds). This is a great option for those on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is in the car seat for long periods of time, it's important they are comfortable. This means straps for the shoulders that are padded as well as soft fabrics that feel comfortable against their stomach or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they get bigger, as well.

While a seat with a lot of special features may cost more, they're also often easier to use. This is why we consider things like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also take into consideration the weight and size of the seat, because an extremely heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps while you carry it to and from your vehicle or between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash is another good choice. It's usually found in expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.

Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs at around the age of two or three. You should also consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be transformed into a toddler's car seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is ideal for families that frequently change cars or travel infant car seat.

Our test subjects loved the Doona, which incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller into one unit. It's the perfect pick for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school on public transportation. It's also easy to put in and our testers were impressed with the ease of use of the latch with one hand and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is compact, which is important for those with a limited trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemical which is a major advantage for parents concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are easy to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows the best infant car seats come with convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with a minimum of fuss. Consider whether the seat can be machine washed (to simplify cleaning) and whether it has a canopy. This is beneficial both in the car and on a stroller.

A feature on the base can save you lots of time and headaches. It lets you know if it's been properly installed. This line should be parallel to ground and is located on the base. This is especially useful in the event that you will change the car seat frequently or when your child will be traveling with you and you have to set it up in taxis or Ubers.

Another useful feature is the ability to attach an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to transport your baby's child from the car to the grocery store or out for errands without the need to carry the separate baby carrier. This is an essential feature for parents looking to return to normal after a lengthy trip or a commute with a child.

If you anticipate your baby to grow quickly pick the car seat for infants that have a greater weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for newborn seat for longer.

All car seats sold in America must conform to federal safety standards, but that does not mean they are all created equal. Certain seats come with additional features, such as load legs that brace the base of a car seat to increase stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of sustaining head injuries from crashes. A few additional features can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, and make you as a parent are happier and more confident.