What You Can Do To Get More From Your Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Consider what you want from your car 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 changed to a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight restriction. The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Other features that are helpful include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that reduce the impact of a crash. Safety The infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies the best, which is why they generally offer more cushioning and padding 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 since you'll likely need to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of being designed to last through your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them exceeding 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 rigorous however it's a good idea to do your own research prior to buying. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing information to share with families. You should also consider whether the seat has features that could be especially beneficial for your family, such as an easy strap release with one hand and a harness with no rethread or an adjustable foot with springs. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the safest seats will not be useful when they are not used correctly. The weight and the width of the car seat are also important. Many infant seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child, and move to a booster seat while you're at it. If you plan to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that is installed using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a great option. In general it's best to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. 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 your family vehicle and are simple to install, and include useful features like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be affordable. Infant seats range between $180 to $500. If they're convertible and are designed to be used by both infants and toddlers The price could be higher. The convenience features include whether the seat can be installed with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally car seat inserts for newborns is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. You should be able to set up and take it out easily and quickly, particularly if you need to switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can quickly get the car seat correctly installed. You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It is also essential to verify the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile. Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that stabilizes the seat in a crash, and reduces the force on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats with added safety and convenience features. Comfort The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread. The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially if it is going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit in the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings seats. And, while they 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. Some infant car seats come with extra features to allow them to be more flexible. For instance they can be rotated or be converted into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer extra security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat. Parents want their children to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking clean. Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have an enjoyable and safe experience. For instance, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™, which is designed to stand up to rear and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as an indicator that informs you when it's properly attached to the base. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide simple single-handed adjustments. Design Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and comfort in mind, however the dizzying array of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors such as weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve the comfort of babies. Look for features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. Be sure to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat since not all seats can be used in all cars. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened and loosened and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat. Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change taxis or cars frequently. Find models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to ensure that your seat is set correctly. Certain features could be worth the extra expense like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, and a canopy that extends and is locked in place. Our product testers also noted that having a seat that can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is an additional bonus. Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's packed with features that address almost every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers scored it highly in every category. It's approved for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.