How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're looking for an automobile seat that can adapt to your child's needs, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and can convert into the high-back and backless booster.

It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Load legs are an additional beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in the event of a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is important because you will be required to transport your child in the car seat out of the vehicle frequently. The dedicated cheap infant car seats car seat is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research before making a purchase. You should consider reading reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash test data to give to families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. This could include the ability to release the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the most secure seats are useless when they are not used in a proper manner.

The weight and width of the car seat is also important. Many infant car seats can be placed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some of them can be able to grow with your child and then convert to an adult booster simultaneously. Also, if you plan to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that can be installed with only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient option.

In general, you should purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Beware of models that don't have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats infant car seats are those that fit in the car of your family and are easy to install and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from around $180 to $500. They can cost more if they are convertible and used as a toddler and infant seat.

The convenience features include the fact that 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 should be easy, especially for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels to ensure you can easily get the car seat correctly installed.

You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. It's also important to check the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. A good guideline is to choose a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum, a few manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has an element that helps stabilize the seat in an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting the right car seat for your infant, as babies spend most of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature the thick, breathable fabric as well as plenty of padding on the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of a baby car seat can affect the comfort of your child, particularly when you are planning to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or siblings seats. While all models come with weight and height restrictions certain models are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you move it between cars.

Some infant car seats have additional features that make them more versatile. For instance, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models come with 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 a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can improve the overall experience.

Parents want their babies to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet, as well an indicator that lets you know when the seat is properly attached. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for easy single-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. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars load legs, no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of babies. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, like rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats fit in every vehicle.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for removing and installing the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change cars or take taxis often. Find models equipped 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 cost, such as a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, and an extension canopy that is locked in the correct position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used as a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is an added benefit.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat rear facing car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is why our testers gave it top marks in every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and converts directly into a stroller (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.