How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes time to choose a car seat for your infant, the options can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some things to look for that will assist you in narrowing your search.
You can make your parenting journey easier by adding premium features such as load legs, an easy-to-tighten harness and a headrest that extends with the baby.
Simple to Use
If you’re purchasing an infant car seat before your baby is born, it’s crucial to consider the weight and height limits. It is important to ensure that the seat will last your child until they grow out of it, which typically happens around the age of 2. Also, be aware of whether you require a car seat that has the maximum weight or height of 90th percentile, or if you prefer one that is a little shorter or higher. This will help you determine how long you’ll be using the seat before you decide to upgrade to convertible car seats.
In addition to size and weight, you must take into consideration how easy the seat is to set up and use. The ease of loosening or tightening straps, latch connectors and the number of buckle positions affect the user-friendliness. It is also important to take into consideration whether the head and body padding are comfortable and if the chair comes with any extras that are convenient, such as a cupholder or hideaway harness pads.
The more simple a seat is, you are more likely to use it properly. This can be a major factor in the safety of your child. The easiest seats permit you to install them by yourself without hassle and also remove them from the base with much effort.
Another aspect to consider is the weight of the car seat and how portable it is. It is essential to be able to take the car seat with your child in it and transport it easily. This is particularly important if you are going on an extended trip. Examine the seat’s width and height to make sure it fits in your vehicle. If you intend to use it with a stroller for babies, choose a model compatible with different strollers.
Finally, you should be sure to look over the results of the crash tests conducted by the manufacturer. These results can be found on the website of the manufacturer or through an online search. You can find out whether the car seat has a history of protecting babies from crashes and what the policy for replacement.
Safety
The most important consideration for any parent shopping for an infant car seat is whether the product will protect their child. All infant car seats must adhere to the safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA) that include rigorous crash testing and a five-point harness system.
However, there are a few other aspects to consider when shopping for an infant car seat. First, it is important to choose the right infant car seat for your child according to their height and weight, as well as the type of vehicle you own. It is also essential to ensure that the seat is installed correctly, as improperly installed car seats could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
A high-quality infant car seat should have clearly labeled installation guides, a clear bubble level indicator, and a locking clip to prevent accidental removal of the base. It should also be lightweight and include useful features such as an expandable harness that is not rethread, anti-rebound bars and a premium load leg, which helps protect your newborn car seat from head injuries in the event of collision.
Although it’s not a must-have feature for all families however, some parents may wish to search for an infant car seat that can convert into a toddler seat with the push of a lever located on the base. This will allow them more versatility and allow their child to use the seat until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limit.
You should also think about how easy the car seat will be to use on a regular basis. The straps should be easy to tighten and loosen, and the buckle should be simple to slide in and out of place. The carrier should be easy to carry even when empty and the base must be simple to remove from the vehicle without fumbling around.
It’s an excellent idea, prior to purchasing a car seat, to verify if there are any recalls. This can be done through the NHTSA website. Opens in a new window, which includes an index of searchable databases of all current and past recalls on car seats.
Comfort
Parents are most concerned with the comfort of their baby car seats. These rear-facing seats are created to protect your baby in the case of an accident. Most include integrated back and head support to ensure they are comfortable. Look for a rear-facing seat that has features such as no-rethread straps as well as magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another feature that can determine the success or failure of an infant car seat is how simple it is to install and use. Ideally, you should be able to remove the seat from its base with one hand while holding your child in the other. And when you’re ready to put the seat back on its base it should click into place and take less than a minute.
Many infant car seats can also be used without a base – ideal for parents who frequently change cars or take taxis. If you opt for a seat with this capability be sure to check its weight and height limits to ensure your baby isn’t too large for it. Car seats also typically come with an infant insert that can be used if your baby is tiny (like in the initial few months or weeks of life) up until their shoulders are at the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the best option for an infant car seat. They offer convenience and safety. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and feature the ability to tuck in when they are not in use. However, they’re typically larger than regular car seats for infants and are more difficult to transport.
Another thing to think about is whether the seat has a load leg that is a brace that sits between the seat and the floor to offer additional stability. They’re not required, but they can be very helpful in small vehicles or for those who have multiple car seats.
Convenience
A high-quality infant car seat will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your child is safe and comfortable during long journeys. Consider features like padded shoulder straps and extra padding around the neck to ensure that your baby car Seat fits comfortably. Also, look for several recline positions. You may want to look for car seats that have extra features such as UPF 50+ shield and a canopy that zips open for all-encompassing coverage.
In terms of ease of use, consider how simple the seat is to use, and also how easily it can be installed in a vehicle. It is likely that you’ll need to install your seat using the LATCH system as well as the belt of your vehicle. Select a model that allows for the simplest installation.
The Nuna Pipa is our top choice as the best infant car seat. It has a simple installation process, thanks to the steel-reinforced connectors at the base that appear and flash green if they are correctly connected. This feature, along with the recline angle indicators and colored belt-oath indicators make this model stand out from other infant car seat newborn insert seats in terms of the ease of use.
The seat is compact and lightweight. This makes it an ideal option for parents who travel infant car seat with their infant or who switch between cars often. It also comes with a non rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders which permit you to attach the seat with just one hand.
A slim shell that’s less than 17 inches wide means the infant seat is more comfortable than some others on the market, and the extra padding in the shoulder and chest areas offer added comfort. It’s also a bit more expensive than some of the other options, but we think the best car seat for newborn features, such as an adjustable base and SnugLock lockoff, are well worth it.
Car seats for infants are a big purchase, but with the right information and considerations you can narrow your options to a few models that are best suited to your family’s requirements. Then, you can concentrate on the crucial task of preparing for the arrival of your baby!