How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant

The price of infant car seats can run the gamut, depending on materials, styles and other add-ons. However, you don't need to spend a lot to find a high-quality car seat for your infant.

Our product testers rated the best car seat for newborn-performing infant car seats across five major categories: Safety accessibility, user-friendliness and reliability along with adjustability and convenience.

Safety Ratings

The most effective infant car seats that swivel car seats are crash-tested. They also come with clear instructions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, including bubble levels and padded seating that offer good support for infants. We also liked seats that were easy to adjust and didn't require the baby to be removed from the car. Parents are more likely to keep properly fitting harnesses if the process is easy and fast.

We looked for seats that are machine washable, and models that can be used with the base to decrease the chance of a buckle being dropped or lost in washing. If you intend to use your car seat frequently particularly on public transportation, it's worth purchasing a seat with self-retracting belts and a recline feature. This will help relieve the strain on your spine.

The choice of a baby car seat is among the most important purchases you'll make as a parent. Therefore, we recommend taking the time to research it thoroughly before purchasing. Read reviews from parents and advocacy groups for children. It's recommended to visit the website of the manufacturer and read any recall notices before you buy 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 with a rear-facing design. The majority of infants outgrow the car seat they were in by the time they are one. In the case of convertible or all-in-one seats, the child is then transitioned into a toddler seat. Infant-only seats should be used rearward-facing until your child reaches the weight and height limits that are set by the manufacture. Then, they should be switched over to a car seat that faces forward. A convertible or all-in-one seat can be used both ways, but it's safer for your baby to remain in a rear-facing car seat until they are large enough to fit in an front-facing car seat.

Simple to Use

While the safety of a car seat is paramount however, it's equally important to find one that's easy for parents to use. That's why we look at things like buckles, harness adjustments and handles during our tests as well as how easy it is to set up the car seat in the vehicle. If a car-seat is difficult to use, you could end up using it incorrectly. This could affect the safety of your baby.

You should consider scheduling a consultation with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to when you bring your child home, if you are worried about correctly installing your infant car seat. They can show you how to use the seat, and also show you a video of the crash test. Don't forget to read the manual that comes with your car seat, since this can help you avoid common mistakes in installation.

Contrary to convertible car seats, which can be used for older children and toddlers infant car seats will only last until your child is outgrowing them or is at the maximum weight limit or height set by the manufacturer. This is why it's a good choice to select one that can be used for as long as you can before changing your child into a big kid car seat.

Some infant car seats convert into strollers, so you get more for your money. It's important to remember that any seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than those that are only used as an infant car seat.

Another factor to keep in mind is the width of your infant car seat is, which can impact the ease with which it can fit in your vehicle and whether it's compatible with other seats in the back row. You should also take into consideration how heavy it is, since a lighter seat can be easier to lift in and out of the car. This is especially important when you plan to use the travel infant car seat seat often and transport it between vehicles. We prefer narrower, lightweight models in our best car seats for infants infant car seat review.

Reliability

Your child's safety is your top priority. And while every car seat available must meet federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. Clek's Liing is a winner of the Best of the Bump award. It features a two stage body support system that helps keep babies warm and comfortable. Consumer Reports also gave it a high score in an impact test.

Remember, however, even the most reliable infant car seat will only be as secure as how it is installed and used. A poorly installed or used car seat can be a major risk for infants and children of all age groups. That's why Vybiralova Stanton recommends reading the user's manual for the manufacturer and looking for installation videos on the internet. "You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned about ensuring that you have the right car seat for your baby," she says.

The most reliable infant car seats have features that make it simple to install and use, including a one-handed harness buckle release, magnetic strap holders that don't cling on clothing, and a no-rethread harness. These seats are made of sturdy materials and have a variety of adjustable mechanisms that work seamlessly.

A base that can be used with or without the vehicle's LATCH system or shoulder belt is another feature to consider. This is useful for parents who take taxis often or use their seats in multiple vehicles.

Finally, it's worth considering how much the car seat for infants weighs and if you can easily carry it around with you. Some models are heavier than others and could strain your shoulders and arms particularly if you have other kids to carry around or traveling long distances.

In the end, a lower-cost car seat for babies can save you both time and money. But, be wary to buy one because it's inexpensive. A low price might mean that the manufacturer skimped on the quality of the material or safety features. Before making a final decision, it's a good idea look over reviews and seek recommendations from other parents.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats allow you to keep your baby secure. They are easy to install, feature features that make buckling and unbuckling easier and include other convenient amenities such as comfortable fabrics and a no rethread harness. They also have design features that help them be more secure in the event of a crash. For example, they feature load legs which are shock-absorbing components that sit on the bottom of the seat. This reduces movement and therefore impact forces on your baby.

Choose an baby car seat if you have a small vehicle or plan to switch vehicles frequently. This kind of seat will fit easily in narrower vehicles and most come with a handle, making them easy to carry. They are usually lighter than convertible car seat and are therefore easier to get into and out of vehicles.

This infant car seat also can be converted into a stroller for a baby without the need for an additional attachment. This is an enormous benefit for families who are always in motion or reside in areas where public transportation is popular. It's a bit more bulky than a traditional infant car seat, but it's not as big as convertible models.

The top-rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our test participants loved it due to its no-rethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders that make it super fast to get the baby in and out. It has many features that make it easy to use, such as an adjustable recline via a button that can be operated in four positions and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that can be removed from the base once secured.

As a new parent, selecting the best car seats for your baby is among the most important decisions you will make. It's important to do research and read reviews before making a decision. You must ensure that the car seat that you choose is made with your child's security in mind and is in compliance with all safety standards of the nation.