How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are an essential item for parents. What is it that makes one car seat better than another?
A special infant seat fits the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easy transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one button handles. Also, think about safety features such as load legs and body cushions for the head and neck.
Safety
As any parent knows that choosing the best car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The best seat will make sure that your child is positioned properly and is adequately protected in case in the event of a car crash.
While every car seat sold in the US must adhere to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all car seats are created equal. Some have special features designed to protect infants, like load legs that limit movement in crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base, while others include built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your baby.
Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to provide the perfect fit for babies. They typically come with crash-tested inserts, which aid in this. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share drop-offs and pick-ups. Since they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy a second-hand one for a fraction of the cost.
Another factor to consider is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important however, the way you use your car seat is more critical to the safety of your child. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95% of parents made at least one serious mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.
It is important to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the correct car seat guidelines. We recommend that you choose a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough that it is easy to carry around your baby.
It is also important to determine if the infant car seat you're considering meets the size requirements for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your own abilities to install and use the car seat correctly take it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive an in-person tutorial prior to when your baby is born.
Convenience
Some infant car seats include additional features that make it easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat snaps into and out of, or they might have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat - especially if there is another child in your care.
infant car seats uk Pushchairs And Prams and height limits of a car seat for infants are also important to take into consideration. If your child is growing quickly it may be worth purchasing an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure you can utilize it for as long as you'd like.
In addition to safety features, your child's car seat should also be comfortable. Look for cushioned straps that don't touch or squeeze their shoulders, and a soft fabric that feels soft under them for extended durations of time. It's also recommended to choose an infant seat that has the option of lying flat that allows your baby to ride in a more relaxed position that keeps their airways open and their oxygen levels high.
Dr. Segura advises that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat since they are not tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. You should also avoid purchasing used infant car seats, since they may have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out.
While the best infant car seats cost anywhere from $100 to $600 There are a few things that all of the top options have in common. All are lightweight and easy to install and take down, and are comfortable for the baby. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to pivot and clip onto strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more information about the various options available, take a look at our comparison of best infant car seats.
Comfort
The top infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easy to get the baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that eliminates the need to grip both sides of the strap simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll want to think about how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, after all so a lighter model is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
The weight limit and height of the infant car seats is also crucial. If you plan to keep the car seat, pick a model that will adapt to your child's needs and allow them to transition into the stage of toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for longer and save money on a second car seat.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's wider or larger than other models. The former can be an advantage for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter is a benefit for families with two children in back-to-back car seats or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use a car seat with a pram, select one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need.
To make it easier to use, take a look at the score that a car seat gets for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened - like bubble levels or color codes--can assist in easing the burden on the new parents. Some seats also have innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing parts located beneath the seat or on the base that extend out to the vehicle floor and absorb some of the force of a crash.
You'll also find some accessories that claim to increase the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any accessory not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been tested or vetted for safety. "Anything you purchase that isn't directly from the manufacturer, such as the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
It can be a challenge for new parents to choose the right infant car seats. It's essential to know your budget and the features you'd like. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics but a lot comes down to what's comfortable for baby.
For example it's important to note that infant-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some may come with crash-tested extension kits to ensure they last longer). They tend to come with more recline settings to facilitate the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are more likely to work when used in conjunction with a travel system. This can be useful for new parents looking to save money and time by buying seats that can serve two functions.
Car seat weight and width are important aspects to take into consideration for the majority of families. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others for a better fit in the back seat of your vehicle or for use with siblings seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps as you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then transform into a stroller without any extra attachments. This can save you a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you need to complete the errands.
Other useful features include a harness that is not rethread, magnetic buckle holders and an easy-to-install process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from settling into the seat or in the car as they fall asleep.
Most car seats use flexible straps to secure the lower anchor connectors, but there are some that feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green when properly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount a seat can move in an accident.