best car seat newborn Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However, some go beyond. From extra padding to a baby inlay that is padded to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread, our Best of the Bump winner offers many features parents will love.

When deciding on our top picks, we took into consideration factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, extra features and price. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

All car seats for infants sold in the United States must be in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features that are above and beyond the minimum requirements. They could include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke to the more features a seat has, they better.

The more user-friendly the car seat, the more likely that parents will use it properly. This can reduce the chance of injuries to their child during a crash. This is particularly important for infant seats, which are intended to be used for a short period of time. Find a seat with bubble indicators and an incline foot that is spring loaded for making it easy to set the seat. Also, make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers provide include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are wonderful, a car seat's safety is only as good as the car in which you drive. Check out the car's owner's manual to learn how to properly secure your infant's seat and to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll likely only be able to use it for around 2 years until your child is old enough to switch to a convertible car seat. That's why some families opt to skip the infant car seat and go directly to a convertible seat, which has higher weight and height limits. When buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling. Then, you can make sure the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car and has handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's essential to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

Easy of Use

If you're using the seat in one car or moving it between many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to set up and remove from the base. Look for clear instructions on installation and a smooth operation. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials that are used.

One of the best car seat for newborn features that infant seats include is a load leg which serves as a brace between the seat's base and vehicle floor to offer additional stability in the event of an accident. It's an especially important feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of head injury during a crash is much higher when a baby is seated near to the ground, according to research by Consumer Reports.

Other features that are premium and can improve infant car seat user experience include a harness with no-rethread and an anti-rebound bar that help keep the seat from bouncing back in an accident. This has been proven to lower the risk of head injuries by as much as 43 percent. The Evenflo LiteMax DLX is a great choice for those on a limited budget and looking for a car seat that is ARC-certified and has a few top features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat has received an exemplary rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions, plus an extendable canopy that is secured with magnets for full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed using only lapbelts and does not require the requirement for a base is another option. This is a good option for parents who are planning to use Uber or taxi rides, since it doesn't require them to get back in the car every time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance include a strong LATCH built into the bottom of their seats which makes them fast and simple to install. It also can be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and converts to a highback booster or backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 pounds). It's an excellent choice for families with a limited budget.

Comfort

When your baby is stuck in car seats for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they are comfortable. That means padded straps on their shoulders, plush material that is comfortable against their back and stomach and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Also, consider an easy-to-reach seat that you can adjust as your child grows.

While a seat that has many special features may be more expensive, they're also often easier to use. This is why we consider aspects like a single-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a no-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also pay attention to the dimensions and weight, as a heavy or bulky seat can add stress to your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car or between cars.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is another good choice. It's typically found in more expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this extra safety measure.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat is suitable for your child once they reach their maximum growth stage typically around age two or three. It's also worth looking at convertible infant car seats that converts to an adult car seat. This gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects loved the Doona, which incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller into one. It's the ideal choice for parents who are on the move particularly those who commute to work or school by public transport. It's also simple to set up. Our experts who tested it praised its ease of use, including the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers reported that the seat is small which is crucial for those with a limited trunk room. It's also free of any flame retardant chemical which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned with their baby's environment and health.

Convenience

The best infant seats have features that make it easy to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically increase as your child grows the best car seat infant infant car seats include convenience features to help parents get in and out with a minimal amount of effort. Other important features to consider are whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to help with cleaning) and if it features a canopy that can be useful both inside the car and attached to a stroller.

One feature that might not seem like a big deal but can save you a lot of hassle is an indicator on the base that will let you know whether it's been put in place correctly. The line is located on the side of the base and should be in line with the ground after you've completed. It's particularly useful when you'll be changing the car seat frequently, or if plan to travel with your baby and you'll need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

Another benefit is the possibility of attaching a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to transport your baby's infant from the car to the grocery store or out on errands, without having to wrestle with an additional carrier. This could be a life-changing feature for parents who are looking to get back to normal after a long journey or a long commute with a baby.

If your baby is expected to grow quickly, select an infant car seat with an increased weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for longer.

All car seats sold in America must conform to federal safety standards however that doesn't mean that they're all to be the same. Some seats come with extra features, like load legs that brace the seat's base to increase stability and anti-rebound bar that reduces the risk of head injuries from crashes. Other features, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, can also make for an easier ride for your child and help you become a more relaxed, more confident parent.