How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant

Car seats for infants are offered in a variety of prices, based on the materials, styles and accessories. It's not necessary to spend a fortune on a good infant car seat.

Our product testers gave the best car seat for newborn uk-performing infant car seats in five key categories: safety, ease of use as well as reliability, convenience, and adjustability.

Safety Ratings

The best infant seat infant car seats are rigorously tested for crash. They also come with clear instructions and features that help install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seats that offer good support for babies. We also loved seats that were simple to adjust and didn't require the infant to be removed from the car. If the procedure is quick and simple, parents are more likely to keep their properly fitted harnesses.

We searched for seats that can be washed in the washing machine and models that could be used in conjunction on the base to minimize the possibility of a buckle getting dropped or lost in washing. If you'll be using your car seat frequently and especially on public transport it could be worth the extra expense for an auto-retracting straps and a reclining mechanism to reduce the strain on your back.

It's important to do thorough research before you make a purchase. Review reviews from other parents and also reviews from advocacy groups for children. Before you buy a new car seat it's a good idea also to check the website of the manufacturer and look up any recalls.

An infant car seat is a small, portable car seat that is designed for infants and babies who are up to their first birthday. They are generally used with a rear-facing. The majority of children outgrow their car seats by the time they reach the age of one or in the case of convertible or all-in-one car seats, are shifted to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used rear-facing until the child reaches the maximum height and weight limits set by the manufacturer. Then, they should be changed to a car seat that is facing forward. A convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used both ways, but it's more secure for your baby to remain in the rear-facing car seat until they're big enough for a front-facing seat.

Ease of Use

It is important to choose a car seat that is easy to use for parents, even though safety is the most important factor. We test the car seat's buckles handles, harnesses, and buckle adjustments and also its ability to be installed into the vehicle. If a car seat is hard to use, it may be used improperly and could affect your baby's safety.

Take a look at meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to when you bring your infant home if you're worried about correctly installing your infant car seat. They will show you how to use the seat and show you the video of an accident test. Make sure to read the manual that comes with the car seat, as this can help you avoid common mistakes in installation.

In contrast to convertible car seats which are designed for older children and toddlers infant car seats will only last until your child is outgrowing them or reaches the highest weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. It's a great choice to select a seat that can be used for the longest time possible prior to changing your child to a bigger car seat.

Some infant car seats can be converted into strollers, meaning you can get more for your money. But it's important to note that any seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than the ones that only function as a car seat for infants.

Another thing to keep in mind is how wide your infant's car seat is, which can impact the ease of it to fit in your vehicle and if it's compatible with other seats you might have in the back row. It is also important to be aware of the weight of the seat, as a light seat is more easy to move into and out of a car. This is particularly important if you intend to use your infant seat often and transport it between vehicles. In our best infant car seats review, we prefer models that are narrower and lighter.

Reliability

Your child's safety is the top priority. While all car seats must be in compliance with federal safety standards, there are some that go over. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance, has two-stage body support which helps keep babies cozy and comfortable and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. It also scored a top crash test score from Consumer Reports.

It is important to remember that even the most secure infant car seat is only as reliable as the way it's put in place and used. A poorly-installed or improperly-used car seat can be a major danger for infants as well as children of all ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton suggests reading the user's manual for the manufacturer and searching for installation videos online. "You'll find that manufacturers are more focused on making sure you have the right seat for your car and your baby," she says.

The most reliable infant car seats come with 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. They also feature durable materials and a variety of adjustment mechanisms that function smoothly.

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 travel by taxi frequently or use their seat in multiple vehicles.

Also, you should consider how much the infant car seat weighs and if it's possible to easily transport it around. Some models are heavier than others, and could put strain on your shoulders and arms if you are carrying other children or traveling long distances.

In the end, a cheaper car seat for babies can save you both money and time. Don't buy a cheap car seat because it's inexpensive. A lower price could mean that the manufacturer skimped on material quality or safety features. It's always a good idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from other parents prior to making your purchase.

Convenience

The best infant car seats make it easy to keep baby safe. This means they are easy to put in place, have features that make buckling up or unbuckling easier, and have other features that make it easier to use, such as comfortable fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. The car seat newborn seats also come with design features that make them more secure in the event of a crash. For instance they have load legs that absorb shock. They are components that sit on the bottom of the seat. This helps reduce movement and therefore impact forces on your child.

If you have a smaller vehicle, or if you intend to switch between multiple vehicles often, look for an infant car seat that is compact and slim. This kind of seat will fit easily in smaller cars and most come with a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, meaning they're less difficult to lift into and out of the car.

This infant car seat also transforms into a stroller for babies without the need for an additional attachment. This is ideal for families who are always on the move or those living in cities that have public transport. It's a little larger than a typical car seat for infants however, it's not as big as a convertible car seat.

It's simple to use and our product testers were impressed by its buckle holders with magnetic buckles and no-rethread harness, which makes it quick to get the baby out and in. It has many features that make it easier to use, including an adjustable recline via a button that can be operated in four positions and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base when secured.

The choice of the right infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make as the new parent. It's important to do research and read reviews prior to making a decision. You must make sure that the car seat you select is designed with your child's safety in mind, and that it conforms to the standards set by the national safety council.