How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes time to choose a car seat for your infant, the options can be overwhelming. There are a few steps you can do to narrow your options.
High-end features such as load legs, a super-easy harness to tighten and an adjustable headrest that expands with your baby will make this parenting journey more enjoyable.
Easy of Use
When buying an infant car seat be sure to consider the weight and height limits. You should ensure that the seat will last until your child has outgrown it, which is typically at around two years. infant car seat that swivels need to consider whether you'd prefer a car seat that can go up to the 90th percentile of height or weight or one that's smaller or taller. This will help you decide how you'll need the seat for before deciding to switch to convertible car seats.
You should also think about how it is easy to set up and use the seat. The ease of loosening or tightening straps, latch connectors, and the variety of buckle positions all influence the accessibility. Take into consideration the comfort of body and head pads, as well as any additional features like an insulated cupholder and a hidden harness pad.
The more easy-to-use the seat is, the more you are more likely to use it properly. This can be a major factor in the safety of your child. The most comfortable seats let you easily install them yourself without hassle and also remove them from the base without any effort.
The weight of the car seat as well as its portability are important factors to consider. You must be able to take the car seat with your child in it and move it easily. This is particularly important if you are going on an extended trip. It is also important to check the dimensions in terms of width and height to ensure it fits your vehicle. If you intend to use it with a stroller for a model that's compatible with various strollers.
In the end, it is recommended to examine the crash test results of the manufacturer. You should be able find these on the website of the car seat, or through an online search. You can then determine whether or not the seat has a proven record of protecting babies from accidents, and also what their replacement policy is.
Safety
When parents are shopping for a new infant seat, they need to be sure that the product will keep their baby safe. All infant car seats must conform to the safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA), which include rigorous crash testing and a five-point harness system.
There are additional factors to consider when purchasing an infant car seat. It is important to select the right infant car seat based on the baby's weight and height and also the kind of vehicle you own. It is also essential to ensure that the seat is properly fitted, as poorly installed car seats increase the chance of injury during a crash.
A high-quality infant car seat will come with clearly identified installation guides, an easy-to-read bubble level indicator and an adjustable clip that prevents accidental removal of the base. It should be lightweight, and have features that are convenient such as an extended no-rethread strap with an anti-rebound bar and a premium leg that protects your baby's head in the event of an accident.
While it's not a mandatory feature for all families, some parents may want to look for an infant car seat that can convert into a toddler seat with the pull of a lever at the base. This will allow parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat up until their child reaches the weight and height limits.
It's also worth considering how easy it will be to use the car seat on a daily basis. The straps should be easy to tighten and loosen, and the buckle should be easy to snap into and out of position. The bag should be simple to carry even when empty and the base must be easy to remove from the vehicle without fumbling around.
Also, it's an excellent idea to check for recalls on the car seat you're considering buying before you buy. This can be done on the NHTSA website Opens in a new window. It features a searchable database of all the current and previous recalls on car seats.
Comfort
Parents are most concerned about the comfort of their baby car seats. These seats that face the rear are designed to safeguard babies in the event of a crash and many come with built-in body and head supports to ensure your baby is comfortable. Look for a rear-facing seat with features like no-rethread straps as well as magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Installation and use that is simple is another feature that can ruin or make the infant car seat. Ideally, you should be able to detach the seat from its base using one hand while securing your child in the other. When you're ready, the seat should click into its place within a fraction of one second.
A lot of infant car seats are also suitable for use with no base. This is great for parents who often switch between taxis or cars. If you choose the seat with this feature make sure you check the weight and height limits to make sure your baby isn't too large for it. Car seats are also often equipped with an infant insert that can be used if your baby is tiny (like in the initial few weeks or months of life), until their shoulders are at the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the ideal option for a baby car seat. They provide convenience and safety. These seats are designed to work with strollers and come with a mechanism that allows them to tuck in when not in use. They're however generally larger than normal infant car seats and are more difficult to carry around.
Another thing to think about is whether the seat comes with a load leg that is a brace that is placed between the seat and the floor of your vehicle to provide additional stability. While these aren't a requirement, they can be especially helpful for small vehicles or those with multiple car seats.
Convenience
A well-designed infant car seat can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your baby is secure and comfortable on long trips. Look for features such as shoulder straps that are padded, extra padding around the neck to allow your baby to get comfortable, a wide range of recline positions and more. You might also look into a car seat that has extra features, such as UPF 50+ sun-shields and a fully-coverage canopy with zip-open zippers which gives your baby the protection they need.
When it comes to convenience, think about how easy the seat is to use, and also how it can be easily installed in the vehicle. It is likely that you'll have to install your seat using the LATCH system, as well as the belt for your vehicle. Select a model that allows for the most simple installation.
For example our top choice for the best infant car seats is the Nuna Pipa is equipped with an easy installation process thanks to steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that slide out from the base and flash green when properly connected. This feature, in conjunction with the recline angle indicators as well as colored belt-oath indicator make this model stand out among infant car seats in terms of ease of use.
The seat is small and lightweight. This makes it an excellent choice for parents who travel with their infant or switch between vehicles frequently. It also comes with a no rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders that permit you to attach the seat with just one hand.
A narrow shell that's less than 17 inches wide means the infant seat is more comfortable than others on the market, while the additional padding on the shoulder and chest areas provide additional comfort. The seat is more expensive than others, but we believe that the premium features, like the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth it.
Car seats for infants can be costly. However, with the right information, you will be able to narrow your choices down to a handful of models that best fit your family. Then, you can concentrate on the important task of preparing for your little one's arrival!