How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat better than another?
A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easy transport outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier like premium connectors for lower anchors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look out for safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions you can make. The correct seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and properly protected in case in the event of a car crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, for instance, load legs that reduce the impact of crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base, while others include built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.
Car seats for infants are also designed to fit small babies best, and typically include extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare pickups and drop-offs. You can purchase a used one at less than the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months.
A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are essential however, the way you use your child's car seat is more important. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital found that 95% of parents made at least one mistake when installing or altering their car seat.
This is why it's a great idea to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We suggest that you select an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around with your baby.
Make sure that the infant car seat you are considering fits the requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're worried about your capability to install and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born for a hands on tutorial.
Convenience
Some infant car seats include extra features that make it easier to use. For instance, they could include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they might come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it simpler to remove and install the car seat, especially when there is a child in your care.
It is also essential to take into consideration the weight and height limits of an infant car seat. If your baby is growing rapidly it could be worth purchasing a car seat with greater limits to ensure that you are able to use it for as long as you'd like.
Apart from the safety features, an infant car seat should be comfortable for your baby. Choose padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and look for plush fabric which feels at ease under them. It's also recommended to choose an infant seat that has a lie-flat mode, which allows your newborn to sit in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
Dr. Segura warns that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, as they have not been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Avoid purchasing a used car seats for infants because they may be involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn.
The top infant car seats cost between $100 and $600. However, they all share a few features. They're all light, easy to set up and remove and are comfortable for infants. Some models have additional features that make them even more adaptable. For instance, they can swivel or clip onto strollers with no need for adapters. Check out our review of the top infant car seats for more information on the various choices available.
Comfort
The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to consider how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, for instance, so a lighter one is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat, select one that will grow with your child and accommodate them into the toddlerhood. You'll be capable of using it for longer and save money on a second car seat.
You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The former can be an advantage for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter could be beneficial if you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or have to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this requirement.
Review the rating of a car seat to determine its user-friendliness. Clear guidelines and indicators, like bubble levels or color coding which indicate whether the seat is secured and level can help relieve stress for parents who are new. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or underneath the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some force in the event of a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to increase the convenience and comfort of your car seat. However, remember that anything that is not included in the seat hasn't passed safety testing. Segura advises that you shouldn't put anything else in your car seat, including the blanket or harness you purchased elsewhere.
Style
For new parents trying to figure out how to select the best car seat for your infant can be a bit of an issue. It's important that you know your budget and the features you want. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. But it all boils down to comfort.
It is important to remember that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and are only suitable up to the age of one year. Some even include crash-tested extensions kits that will allow them to last longer. They typically have a greater number of recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. best car seat www.pushchairsandprams.uk are more likely to be compatible when used in conjunction with an existing travel system. This can be useful for parents who are new and want to save money and time by buying seats that serve two functions.
Another thing to keep in mind is that car seat size and weight are key elements for families with a large number of children. For example, some infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back seat of your car or for use alongside siblings' seats. Others are heavy enough to really test your biceps strength and move from car to stroller.
Many parents prefer the infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller without any additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands with your kids.
Other useful features include a harness that doesn't need to be rethread, magnetic buckle holders and a streamlined installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from collapsing into the seat or in the car when they fall asleep.
Some car seats have rigid latches that open from the base when installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of a crash.