An Best Infant Car Seat Success Story You'll Never Remember
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Consider what you would like from your car seat. “If you're in need of a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limit. It also scores well for comfort and quality thanks to soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that limit the impact of a crash. Safety The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best, and so they usually come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to lift out of the car or put onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is important considering you will likely need to transport your baby in the car seat frequently out of your vehicle. The infant car seats have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life, so you don't need to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height in the same way that convertible car seats can. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are stringent, but it is still recommended to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families. Look for features that will be useful to your family. For Pushchairs And Prams , an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with a spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features can make buckling up your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest seats are 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 seats can be installed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child, and convert to an adult booster in the same time. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative. In general it's a good idea to buy the safest seat you can afford, as the most affordable models don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash safety. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify. Convenience The most suitable infant car seats are ones that fit in your family vehicle They are also simple to install, and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive when they're convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat. Convenience features include how easy it is to set up the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat with ease, especially if you switch it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat. It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and also move the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. As a rule, choose the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile. While federal safety standards are the minimum, some manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that stabilizes the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in car seats with added safety features and convenience. Comfort Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats are made of the thick, breathable fabric as well as plenty of padding on the harness and headrest. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, like buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading. The size and weight of a baby car seat can affect comfort, particularly if you plan to switch cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower making it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, some are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from aching when you carry it around town or between vehicles. Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more versatile like rotational options or the ability to convert into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or bar that prevents rebound to give you additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't necessary for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience. Parents want their infants to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new. 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, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™, which is designed to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet, as well as an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle make easy one-handed adjustments. Design Manufacturers of infant car seats make their products with safety and ease of use as their main goals. However, the vast variety of features can make it difficult to decide which one is right for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the price but may improve comfort for baby. Look for features that make it simple to get your child in and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all vehicles. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient if your plan is to change cars or take taxis frequently. To make sure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and integrated locking mechanism. Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that expands with the growing baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is an additional benefit. The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that delights parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks all over the spectrum. It's approved for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted into a stroller. The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.