How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes to choosing an infant car seat the choices can be overwhelming. There are a few things to look for that will aid in narrowing your choices.
Premium features such as load legs, a simple to tighten harness and an adjustable headrest that expands with your baby can make this parenting journey smoother.
Easy of Use
If you're buying an infant car seat before your baby is born, it is important to consider weight and height limitations. It is important to ensure that the seat will last until your child has outgrown it, which is typically at around two years. Also, be aware of whether you require an automobile seat that is rated with the weight limit or height of 90th percentile, or if you prefer one that is a little shorter or taller. This will help you determine how long you plan to use the seat.
You should also consider how easy it is to set up and use the seat. For instance, the ease of loosening and tightening straps and latch connectors, how simple it is to change between forward and rear facing positions, and how many buckle positions are there all affect the ease of use. Consider the comfort of the padding for the body and head, as well as any additional features like the cupholder or hideaway harness pad.
The more user-friendly a seat is, you are more likely to use it correctly. This could affect the safety of your child. The easiest seats let you easily install them on your own without hassle, as well as detach them from the base without any effort.
Another factor to consider is the car seat's weight and how easily it can be moved. It is important to lift it up with a child inside and transport it with ease, particularly in case you're taking longer journeys. You should also examine the dimensions in terms of width and height to make sure it's appropriate for your vehicle. If you intend to use it with a stroller, look for a model that works with many strollers.
You should also take a look at the results of the manufacturer's tests. You should be able to locate them on the website of the car seat or by using an online search. You can find out whether the car seat has a history of protecting babies from crashes and also what their policy is regarding replacement.
Safety
When parents are looking for an infant seat, they want to be aware of whether the product will keep their baby safe. All infant car seats have to meet safety standards set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Opens in a New Window which include rigorous crash tests and the five-point harness system.
However, there are a few other aspects to consider when shopping for an infant car seat . It is essential to select the correct infant car seat based on the baby's weight and height as well as what type of vehicle you have. It is also essential to ensure that the seat is correctly fitted, as poorly installed car seats increase the chance of injury in a crash.
A safe infant car seat will come with clear installation guides, a clear indicator for the level that is easy to read and an locking clip that prevents the base from being removed accidentally. It should be light, and have features that are convenient such as an extended no-rethread strap, anti-rebound bar, and a high-quality leg that protects your baby's head in the event of an accident.
Some parents might be interested in a car seat for their infant which can be converted into an adult seat by pulling an incline at the base of the. This will give parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat until their child has reached the manufacturer's weight and height limits.
It's also important to think about how it will be easy to use the car seat on a daily basis. The straps should be easy to loosen and tighten, and the buckle should be easy to slide in and out of. The bag should be simple to carry even when empty and the base should be easy to remove from the car without needing to fiddle around.
It's also a good idea, prior to purchasing a car seat, to determine if there are any recalls. This can be done through the NHTSA website Opens in an entirely new window. It includes an index of searchable databases of all the current and previous car seat recalls.
Comfort
When it concerns infant car seats, comfort is the main consideration for parents. These rear-facing seats are engineered to protect babies in the event of a crash, and many come with built-in head and body supports to keep your baby warm. Look for a rear-facing seat that has features such as no-rethread straps and magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another feature that can make or break the infant car seat is how simple it is to set up and use. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able detach the seat from its base with one hand while holding your baby in the other. When you're ready, the seat should click into position within a fraction of a second.
Many infant car seats are suitable to use without a base. This is a great option for parents who frequently switch between vehicles or taxis. If you opt for a seat with this capability be sure to check its weight and height limits to make sure your child isn't too big for it. Most car seats come with an infant insert that can be used for babies who are tiny (like in the first few months or weeks of their lives) until their shoulders get to the lowest harness slot.
If you're looking for an infant car seat that is a combination of convenience and safety, consider a convertible model. These seats are designed to be used with strollers and come with a mechanism that allows them to tuck in when they are not in use. They're however generally larger than normal infant car seats and may be more difficult to carry around.
A load leg is another thing to look for. This is an arm resting between your seat and the floor of your vehicle. It adds stability. They're not required however they can be extremely helpful in smaller vehicles or for those with multiple car seats.
Convenience
You can travel with confidence knowing that your baby will be safe and comfortable. Look for features like shoulder straps that are padded, extra padding for the neck to ensure your baby can get comfortable with a variety of recline positions, and more. You might also want to look into a car seat that has extra features, such as UPF 50+ sun shields and a canopy that zips open fully that provides your baby with the protection they need.
When it comes to ease of use, consider how simple the seat is to use, as well as how it can be easily installed in a vehicle. You're likely to need to install your seat using the LATCH system as well as the vehicle belt. Choose a model with the simplest installation.
For example our top pick for best infant car seats is the Nuna Pipa comes with a turnkey installation process thanks to steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and flash green when correctly connected. This feature, along with the recline angle indicators and colored belt-oath indicator make this model stand out from other infant car seats in terms of ease of use.
The seat is compact and light. This makes it an excellent option for parents who travel with their infant or who switch between cars often. Additionally, it comes with an all-metal harness that does not require rethreading and magnetic buckle holders that let you clip the harness with one hand.
A narrow shell that's less than 17 inches wide means the seat will fit newborns better than other seats on the market, and the additional padding on the chest and shoulder areas offer added comfort. The seat is more expensive than other options however we believe that the top features such as the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth the cost.
Infant car seats are a major investment, but with the proper information and considerations you can narrow your choices to a few models that will best suit your family's needs. Then you can focus on the crucial task of preparing for your little one's arrival!