How to Choose the best infant seat Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can expand with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be transformed into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limit.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an advantage. Other useful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best infant car seat, and so they typically have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to take out of the car, or put onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is crucial since you'll likely be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child outgrowing its weight or height limits.

It's 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.

It is also important to examine whether a seat comes with features that could be beneficial to your family, such as an easy strap release with one hand or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or an adjustable foot with springs. These features can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats can be dangerous in the event that they are not used in a proper manner.

Other things to keep in mind are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be placed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some can grow with your child, and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a convenient option.

In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not include side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are ones that fit in the car of your family They are also simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats can range in price from about $180 to more than $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for both infants and toddlers, the price can be higher.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the harness and buckles, as well as turn the seat around when it is not in use. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. A good guideline is to select a car seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to include additional features like crash-testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that helps stabilize the seat in a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40 percent. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that is safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, since infants spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding for the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread.

The size and weight of a car seat for infants can affect the comfort of your child, particularly in the event that you intend to switch cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower which makes it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or even siblings seats. While all models come with height and weight restrictions certain models are lighter. This could save your biceps from aching when you carry it between cars.

Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more flexible including rotational options or the ability to connect to strollers without the need for extra adapters. Some models come with top features such as an adjustable no-rethread harness or bars that prevent rebounding to provide extra safety in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't necessary for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Look for a model that's machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy 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' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and has an indicator to let you know when the seat is securely attached. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle make simple, one-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, but the myriad of features available makes it hard to determine what's best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of babies. You might also consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats will fit in every vehicle.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is crucial. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're strong or flexible. Also, you should consider whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or if you plan on switching cars often. Make sure you choose a model that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to ensure your seat is installed correctly.

Some features may be worth the extra expense for example, the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature and the canopy that expands and secures in the correct position. Our product testers have also noticed the fact that a seat can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.

Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers scored it highly in all categories. For instance, it's approved for airplane travel, has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.