How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Car seats for infants are available in a wide range of prices, depending on the materials, styles and accessories. You don’t need to spend a fortune on an infant car seat that is of high quality.
Our product testers rated the best-performing infant car seats in five main categories Safety accessibility, user-friendliness and reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The best car seat newborn infant car seats are tested for safety. They also come with clear instructions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seating that provide adequate support for babies. We also found it helpful when a seat has easy-to-use adjustments that don’t require taking the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that use a system of hooks and clips for quick changes. Parents are more likely to maintain properly fitting harnesses if the process is easy and quick.
A seat that can be washed is a great feature, and we looked for models that allow the seat to be installed on the base, reducing the possibility of a lost or loosing buckle while washing. If you plan to use your car seat regularly particularly on public transportation, it’s worth purchasing a seat with self-retracting belts as well as a reclining feature. This will help relieve the pressure on your spine.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is one of the most important purchases you’ll make as a parent, so we recommend taking the time to research thoroughly prior to buying. Review reviews from other parents, as well as reviews from advocacy groups for children. It’s also a good idea to visit the manufacturer’s website and read any recall notices before you purchase a car seat.
An infant car seat is a small, portable car seat designed for newborns and babies who are up to their first birthday. They are usually used rear-facing. Most infants outgrow the car seat they were in before they turn one. In the case of convertible and all-in-one seats, the child is then transitioned into a toddler seat. Infant-only car seats are designed to be used rearward-facing until your child is at the weight and height limits that are set by the manufacture. After that, they should be changed to an forward-facing car seat. The convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they have reached the age of maturity to move forward.
Simple to use
It is essential to select a car seat that is easy for parents to use and children, even though safety is the most important factor. We test the buckles handles, harnesses, and buckle adjustments in addition to its ability to be installed into a vehicle. If a car seat is difficult to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could affect the safety of your child.
If you’re worried about installing your infant car seat correctly, consider having a consultation with a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) prior to bringing your baby home. They’ll be able to give you an accident test video and show you how to use your new seat. Don’t forget to read the manual that comes with the car seat, as it will help you avoid common mistakes in installation.
Contrary to convertible car seats, which are designed for older children and toddlers baby car seats last until your child is outgrowing them or reaches the maximum weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. It’s a great idea to pick the right seat that can be used as long as you can before changing your baby into a big kid car seat.
Some infant car seats can be converted into strollers, which will give you more bang for your money. It’s important to note that car seats that can be used as strollers are heavier than those designed to function as an infant car.
A large infant car seat will make it easier to fit into your vehicle and may be compatible with other back seats. You should also take into consideration the weight of the seat as a lighter seat is more easy to lift into and out of a car. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the infant seat frequently and transport it between vehicles. In our best infant car seats review, we prefer models that are slimmer and lighter.
Reliability
The safety of your child is a top priority. While every car seat available must meet federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek’s Liing, for example, has two-stage body support that helps keep small babies comfortable and cozy and is compatible with many popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it a high score in an impact test.
Be aware, however, that even the most secure infant car seat will only be as secure as how it is installed and used. Incorrectly installed or improperly used car seats are a major safety risk for infants and children of all different ages. This is why Vybiralova Stanton suggests reading the user’s manual for the manufacturer and looking for installation videos on the internet. “You’ll discover that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure you have the right seat for your car and your baby,” she says.
The most effective car seats for infants are easy to install and use. They come with features like a single-handed buckle release, magnetic strap holders which do not snag clothing, and a no rethread harness. These seats are made of durable materials and come with a variety of adjustment mechanisms that function seamlessly.
A base that can be used without or with the LATCH system in the vehicle or shoulder belt is a different option to think about. This is a benefit for parents who use taxis often or use their seats in multiple vehicles.
It’s also worth considering how the car seat for infants weighs and whether you are able to easily carry it around with you. Certain models weigh more than others, and could put strain on your shoulders and arms especially if you’re carrying children around or traveling long distances.
In the end, a baby car seat with a lower cost can save you time and money. Don’t purchase a cheap car seat just because it is inexpensive. A low price might indicate that the manufacturer has cut corners on the quality of the material or safety features. Before you make a final decision it’s best to read reviews and get recommendations from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seat for newborn car seat infants make it easy to ensure your baby’s safety. They are simple to install and feature features that allow for buckling and unbuckling with ease and come with other features like comfortable fabrics and a no-rethread harness. They also have design features which make them more secure in the event of a crash. For instance they have load legs that absorb shock. They are parts that are located at the base of the seat. This makes it easier to move and therefore impact forces on your child.
Choose a compact and slim baby car seat if you have a small vehicle or plan to change vehicles often. This kind of seat can fit easily in smaller cars and most come with a handle that makes them easy to carry. These seats are typically lighter than convertible car seat which makes them easier to get to and out of vehicles.
The car seat for infants converts into a baby stroller without the need for an attachment. This is great for families who are always on the move or those living in cities with public transport. It’s a bit more bulky than a traditional infant car seat, but it’s still not as large as convertible models.
This highly rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our product test participants loved it due to its no-rethread harness and buckle holders with magnetic buckles which make it incredibly fast to get baby in and out. It is equipped with features that make it more convenient to use, such as the recline that is operated by a button with four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base once secured.
Choosing the right infant carrier seat car seat is among the most important decisions you’ll make as a new parent. That’s why it’s so important to research and read reviews of various options prior to making a decision. You must ensure that the car seat you choose is specifically designed with your child’s safety in mind, and that it conforms to the standards set by the national safety council.