20 Fun Facts About Best Infant Car Seat
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Consider what you want from your car seat. “If you want a car seat that can expand with your child, then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton recommends. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and can be converted into an incline-back booster and a backless one. It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. These are shock-absorbing elements which are attached to the car seat base and limit movement during an accident. Safety They are designed to fit smaller babies better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car, or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is crucial since you'll likely have to transport your child in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. Car seats for infants offer the benefit of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may. It is an excellent idea, however, to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families. You should also consider whether the seat has features that can be especially beneficial for your family, like a one-handed strap release and a harness with no rethread or an adjustable foot with springs. These types of features can make buckling your baby faster and easier however, you must remember that even the safest of seats will be useless in the event that you don't utilize them correctly. The weight and the width of the car seat is also important. A lot of infant car seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car While others can expand with your child and transition to a booster seat while you're at it. If you intend to use your car seat to travel or take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat that can be put in place using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good option. In general, you should buy the safest car seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For instance, it's recommended to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products. Convenience The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It must also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher. Convenience features include how easy it is to set up the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the infant out of the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially if your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat. You should also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, it's important to verify its weight and height limitations. Also, consider if best car seat will outgrow the seat before they turn one. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that grows with your child until they reach the 90th percentile. Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also has a load leg, which can help stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40%. This alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth paying more for car seats that are secure and comes with additional convenience features. Comfort Comfort is a major factor to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature thick, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding for the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading. The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others—which can help save your biceps from aching when you carry it between vehicles. Some infant car seats have extra features to make them more adaptable. For instance, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for additional adapters. Other models include high-end features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or anti-rebound bars to add additional safety in the case of a crash. These features aren't necessary for a safe ride but they can enhance the overall experience. Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking fresh. Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy an enjoyable and safe experience. For instance the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable, as well an indicator to let you know when the seat is properly attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base. Design Manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and convenience as their main goals. However, the vast range of features can make it difficult to decide which is best for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like an load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar, and no-rethread straps may increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby. Look for features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to pay attention to dimensions and base weight, as not all seats are suitable for every vehicle. One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, could affect this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat. Some models allow you to use the seat without a base, which is a great option if you take taxis often or if you plan on switching cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and a integrated locking mechanism. Other features that may be worth the cost include a headrest that expands with the infant as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is an additional bonus. Doona is an infant car seat that will spoil parents. It has many features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our test participants have rated it highly all over the spectrum. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.