How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
The price of infant car seats can range across the gamut, depending on materials, styles and add-ons. However, you don't need to spend a fortune to get a great car seat for your infant.
Our product testers rated top-performing infant car seats across five major categories safety accessibility, user-friendliness and reliability as well as adjustability, convenience and safety.
Safety Ratings
The best infant car seats are crash-tested. They also have clear instructions and features that make it easy to install the seat correctly, like bubble levels and padded seats that provide adequate support for infants. We also found it helpful when a chair has simple adjustments that don't require the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that utilize hooks and clips that allow for quick adjustments. If the procedure is quick and simple, parents will be more likely maintain properly fitted harnesses.
We searched for seats that can be washed in the washing machine and models that could be used on the base to minimize the risk of a buckle falling off or loosened during washing. If you plan to use your car seat regularly, especially on public transportation, it's worth buying a model that has self-retracting belts and a reclining feature. This will help ease the strain on your spine.
It is important to conduct thorough research before you make an purchase. Read reviews from parents and child safety advocacy organizations. It's an excellent idea to visit the manufacturer's website and review any recall notices prior to you purchase a car seat.
Infant car seats are small, lightweight car seats specifically designed for newborns or babies up to the one year old. They are generally used with the rear facing. Most infants outgrow the car seat they were in before they turn one. In the case of convertible and all-in-one seats the child will be transitioned into a toddler seat. Infant-only seats should be used rearward-facing until your child reaches the maximum weight and height limits that are set by the manufacturer. Then, they can be changed to forward-facing car seats. The convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both directions, but it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they are old enough to move forward.
Easy of Use
While the safety of car seats is crucial but it's also crucial to find one that's easy for parents to use. We test the car seat's buckles handles, harnesses, and buckle adjustments and also its ease of installation into the vehicle. If a car seat is difficult to use, you may end up using it incorrectly. This could affect the safety of your baby.
Consider scheduling a consultation with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to you take your baby home if you're concerned about installing your infant car seat. They will show you how to use the seat and show you a video of an accident test. Don't forget to read your car seat's instruction manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.
In contrast to convertible car seats which can be used for toddlers and older children, infant car seats only last until your child outgrows them or reaches the highest weight limit or height set by the manufacturer. That's why it's a good choice to select a seat that can be used as long as you can before switching your little one to a bigger car seat.
Some infant car seats can be converted into strollers, meaning you'll get more value for your price. But it's important to note that any car seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than those that only function as a car seat for infants.
Another thing to consider is the width of your infant car seat is. This will affect how easy it is to fit in your vehicle and whether it's compatible with other seats in the back row. You should also take into consideration the weight of the seat, as a lighter seat is more easy to lift into and out of the car. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. For these reasons, we prefer narrower, lightweight models in our top infant car seat review.
Reliability
Your child's safety is your top priority. While all car seats must meet federal safety standards, there are some that go beyond. infant car seats that swivel of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example is two-stage body support that helps keep small infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with many popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it the top score in the crash test.
Be aware that even the most secure infant car seat will only be as secure depending on how it is put in place and used. Poorly installed or misused car seats pose a serious security risk for children and infants of all ages. Vybiralova Stanton suggests you read the instruction manual of the manufacturer and search for online installation videos. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure that you have the right seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.
The most effective car seats for infants are easy to install and use. They come with features like a one-handed buckle release magnetic strap holders that don't catch clothing, and a no need to rethread the harness. These seats are made of sturdy materials and have several adjustment mechanisms that function smoothly.
Another aspect to look out for is whether an infant car seat has a base that is able to be used without a vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This is helpful for parents who frequently take taxis or will be using their seat in several vehicles.
Finally, it's worth considering how the infant car seat weighs and if you can easily carry it around. Some models weigh more than others, and they can be a strain on your arms and shoulders if you are carrying children around or traveling long distances.
Ultimately, an infant car seat that is priced lower will save you money and time. Don't buy a cheap car seat just because it's inexpensive. A low price might mean that the manufacturer skimped on quality of materials or safety features. Before making a decision it's best to look over reviews and seek recommendations from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seat infant car seats make it easy to keep your baby safe. This means that they are easy to put in place, have features that make buckling up or unbuckling easier, and have other convenience features like soft fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. They also have design elements that ensure their safety in the event of a collision, such as load legs, which are shock absorbing parts on the base or the car seat, which reduce movements and therefore impact forces on your child.
Look for an baby car seat if you have a smaller car or plan on changing vehicles frequently. This kind of seat will fit easily in smaller cars and some come with a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, so they are easier to lift into and out of the vehicle.
Another great feature of this infant car seat is that it can be converted into a stroller with no necessity of an additional attachment. This is great for families that are constantly on the move or those living in cities that have public transportation. It is a little larger than an ordinary infant car seat, but not as large as a convertible model.
This top-rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our product testers liked it for its no-rethread harness and magnetic buckle holders that make it super fast to get baby in and out. It comes with many features that make it easier to use, such as the recline that is operated by a button with four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base when secured.
The choice of the right infant car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make as the new parent. This is why it's crucial to research and read reviews of different options before making a decision. You should ensure that the car seat you choose is made with safety of your child in mind, and that it is in compliance with the safety standards of the nation.