The Reasons You'll Want To Learn More About Best Infant Seat
Best Infant Seat Features
While all infant seats conform to federal safety standards, a few are more than others. Our Best of the Bump winner comes with a host of features that parents will love such as additional padding, a padded inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no rethreading.
We looked at factors such as weight (without base), stroller connectivity, special features and prices when selecting our top picks. Find out what infant car seat is best for you and your family by reading on.
Safety
Every infant car seat on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated, strap-holding sides, and so on. According to the experts I spoke to the more features a chair has, they are more efficient.
The more user-friendly a car seat can be it, the more likely parents will be to use it properly, which can reduce the risk of injury to their child in the event of a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are intended to be used for a brief duration. Find a seat that is easy to install, with an adjustable recline foot with springs and a bubble indicator to ensure that the seat level. Also, make sure the base is easy to click in and out of the car.
Other top features that some car seat makers offer include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. These are wonderful however, don't forget that a safe car seat is still only as secure as the vehicle you're driving in. Check out the car's owner's manual for tips on how to properly secure your infant's seat and to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.
When you're choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be allowed to use it for about 2 years, until your child is old enough to move to an convertible car seat. Some families opt to not use the infant seat entirely and choose to purchase convertible cars that has greater weight and height limit. When purchasing an infant car seat, be sure you consider the dimensions of your car and test various models before making a decision. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your vehicle and comes with useful features like converting to a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's the most crucial aspect to ensure your child's safety on the road.
Ease of Use
You're looking for a car seat for your baby that is simple to attach and take off from the base, regardless of whether you plan to use it in just one vehicle or shift it between several. Find clearly labeled instructions for installation and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your baby grows and the high-quality materials used.
A great feature that many infant seats have is a load leg, which acts as a brace between the seat's base and the car's floor, providing additional stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if have an older vehicle, because the chance of a head injury is higher if the child is seated too close to the floor.
Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. These include a non harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that helps keep the seat from bouncing in a crash. The latter has been shown by research to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seat that has some of the most important premium features I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has earned an outstanding rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline settings, plus an extendable canopy that can be secured by magnets to ensure complete coverage.
A seat that can be easily installed with just lapbelts and does not require the requirement for the base is an alternative. This is ideal for parents who plan to take taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need an extra trip back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the seat's bottom, making it quick and easy to put in any vehicle. It also can be used with a rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to a highback booster or belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 pounds). It's an excellent choice for families on a tight budget.
Comfort
When your baby is stuck in a car seat for extended periods of time, it's important they feel comfortable. This means padded straps on their shoulders, a plush fabric that feels cozy against their tummy and back and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Also, look for a seat you can easily alter as your child grows.
A car seat with a variety of features is often more expensive, but is also easier to use. When evaluating infant car seat, we consider factors such as a one-hand system harness, top LATCH connectors, and harness that doesn't rethread. We also consider dimensions and weight, since the weight or bulk of a seat could put stress on your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.
A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is an alternative. It's usually found in expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It's also worth considering a convertible infant car seat that converts into a toddler seat. This option will give you a little more flexibility in your vehicle and is perfect for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.
Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona which combines car seats for an infant and a stroller all in one unit. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school via public transport. It's also simple to set up. Our experts who tested it appreciated its user-friendlyness with the one-handed latching system as well as the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also commented on how small the seat is and is an essential for those with a limited trunk space. Additionally, it's free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and environment.
Convenience
The best infant seats have features that make them easy to use. From buckles that are smooth and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically increase as your child grows the top infant car seats come with convenience features that help parents get in and out with a minimum of fuss. Consider whether the seat can be cleaned by machine (to facilitate cleaning) and if it comes with a canopy. infant car seats cheap is useful in the car as well as on a stroller.
One feature that might not seem like a big difference but can save you a lot of headache is a meter on the base that informs you when it's been installed correctly. This line should be parallel to ground and should be situated on the base. This is especially useful if you are going to be changing the car seat frequently, or when your child will be traveling with you and you have to set it up in Ubers or taxis.
Another useful feature is the ability to connect a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it easier to transport your baby's child from the car to the store or out for errands without having to lug around a separate carrier. This can be a game changer for new parents looking to return to their day after an exhausting commute or outing with a newborn.
If your baby is likely to grow rapidly, choose a car seat for infants that has an increased weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for longer.
All car seats sold in America must conform to federal safety standards, but that does not mean that they are all equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that support the base of a car seat to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of head injuries in crashes. Certain accessories can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and you as a parent are happier and more confident.