How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes time to choose an infant car seat, the options can be overwhelming. There are a few things you can do to narrow your options.
Premium features such as load legs, an easy harness to tighten and an extendable headrest that grows with your baby can make this parenting journey easier.
Easy of Use
When you are buying a car seat for your infant be sure to consider the weight and height limits. You should make sure that the seat will last your child until they're outgrowing it, which usually happens at around the age of two. You also need to consider whether you want a car seat that can go up to the 90th percentile in height or weight or one that's shorter or higher. This will help you decide the length of time you intend to use the seat.
In addition to size and weight, you must take into consideration how easy the seat is to install and use. For instance the ease of tightening and loosening straps and latch connectors, how simple it is to switch between rear and forward facing, and the number of buckle positions there are all affect the ease of use. It is also important to be aware of whether the head and body padding are comfortable, and if the seat comes with any extras that are convenient, such as an insulated cupholder or hidden harness pads.
The more user-friendly the seat the more likely you'll use it correctly and affect your baby's safety. The most user-friendly seats permit you to install them yourself without any hassle and then remove them from the base with much effort.
Another thing to take into consideration is the weight of the car seat and how easy it is to move. You'll want to carry it with a baby inside and take it around easily, especially when you're planning longer journeys. Examine the seat's width and height to ensure it fits in your vehicle. If you plan to use it with a stroller for your baby pick a model that works with various strollers.
Finally, you should take a close look at the crash test results of the manufacturer. You can locate these results on the website of the manufacturer or via an online search. You can then determine if the seat has a proven record of protecting babies in accidents, and also what their replacement policy is.
Safety
When parents are shopping for a baby seat, they need to know if the product will keep their child secure. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA), which include rigorous crash testing and the five-point harness system.
However, there are a few other aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat. It is crucial to choose the right infant car seat for your baby in accordance with their height and weight, and the kind of vehicle you drive. It is also crucial to make sure the seat is correctly installed in order to avoid any problems. Incorrectly installed car seats may increase the chance of injury in a crash.
A quality infant car seat will come with clearly labeled installation guides, an easy-to-read bubble level indicator and an adjustable clip that prevents accidental removal of the base. It should also be lightweight and include useful features like an extendable no-rethread harness bar, anti-rebound bars and an extra-large load leg which helps protect your newborn from head injuries in the event of an accident.
Although it's not a must-have feature for all families however, some parents may wish to consider a baby car seat that converts into a toddler seat with the pull of a lever on the base. This will allow them greater flexibility and allow their child to use the seat until they reach the height and weight limit.
It's also worth considering how it will be simple to use the car seat on a regular basis. The buckle should be easy and smooth to click into place and out of position. The straps must be easy to unwind and adjust. The carrier should be easy to carry when empty, and the base should be easy to remove from the car without having to fumble around.
Also, it's an excellent idea to check for any recalls on the car seat that you are thinking of purchasing before you purchase. This can be done through the NHTSA website Opens in a new window, which has a searchable database of all past and current recalls on car seats.
Comfort
Parents are most concerned about comfort when it comes to infant car seat. These seats that face the rear are designed to protect babies in the event of a crash, and a majority of them come with support for the body and head to keep your baby warm. Find seats that is adjustable to accommodate your growing child. It will come with features like no-rethread harnesses magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder straps.
Another aspect that can determine the success or failure of the infant car seat is how easy it is to set up and use. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able detach the seat from its base using one hand while securing your baby in the other. When you're ready to put the seat back on its base, it should click easily into the position, and it should take less than one minute.
Many infant car seats are also suitable for use without a base. This is great for parents who often switch between cars or take taxis. Make sure you know the weight and height restrictions of the seat before purchasing it to ensure your child is not too big. Car seats also typically come with an infant insert which can be used when your baby is small (like in the initial few weeks or months of life), until their shoulders are at the lowest harness slot.
If you are looking for a baby car seat that is a combination of convenience and safety, consider a convertible model. These seats are compatible with strollers and come with the ability to fold them into the car when they're not in use. They're however generally larger than standard infant car seats and may be more difficult to tote around.
Another thing to think about is whether the seat comes with a load leg, which is a brace that sits between the seat and the floor of your vehicle to give you extra stability. Although they're not a requirement however, they can be helpful for small vehicles or vehicles with multiple seats.
Convenience
You can travel with confidence and know that your child will be safe and comfortable. Look for features such as straps that are padded for shoulder and padding around the neck to ensure your baby fits comfortably. Also, look for a variety of recline positions. You might also want to look into a car seat that has extra features, such as UPF 50+ sun shields and a zip-open full-coverage canopy which gives your baby the protection they need.
Take into consideration the ease of installation and use of the seat when it comes to convenience. You'll likely need to install the seat using the LATCH system and the vehicle belt, so find an option that makes it as easy as possible.
For example our top pick for best infant car seats The Nuna Pipa is equipped with a turnkey installation process thanks to steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and flash green when connected. This feature along with recline angle guides and colored belt-oath indicators make it an outstanding model among infant car seats due to its convenience of use.
The seat is also compact and lightweight, which makes it a great choice for parents who need to travel with baby or who are switching between vehicles frequently. infant car seat in front seat comes with a non rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders that allow you to clip the seat with just one hand.
A shell that's smaller than 17 inches wide means that the seat will fit newborns better than others on the market, while the extra padding in the chest and shoulder areas offer added comfort. The seat is a bit more expensive than other models, but we believe that the premium features, like the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth it.
Infant car seats can be costly. With the right information, you will be able to narrow your choices down to a few models which best suit your family. Then you can focus on the important task of making preparations for your child's arrival!