How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are an essential item for parents. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than the other?
A special infant seat is the best option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easy to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one button handles. Also, look into safety features such as load legs and body cushions for the head and neck.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions you could make. The right seat will ensure that they're in the right position properly in the car and ensure they're protected in the event of an accident.
Not all car seats are created equal. Although every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Some seats have features designed to protect infants. For example load legs can reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing impact forces on the car seat's base. Others include bubble levels that make installing easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit babies at their best and often include crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, according to Choi. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share drop-offs and pick-ups. You can buy an used one for a fraction of the price, since they only last for your baby's first 12 months.
Another point to consider is that even though an excellent NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat is even more crucial to the safety of your child. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital revealed that 95% parents made a mistake at least once when installing or changing their car seat.
This is why it's a great idea to spend a few minutes to get familiar with the proper car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We recommend you pick a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough it's easy to carry around your child.
You should also check to determine if the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. And if you're worried about your ability to install and use the car seat properly you might want to bring it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) to receive an in-person tutorial prior to when your baby is born.
Convenience
Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they could have a base on which the seat can be clicked in and out, or they could feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features make it simpler to set up and remove the car seat, especially when there is a child in your care.
It is also important to take into consideration the weight and height limits of an infant car seat. If your child is growing quickly it may be worthwhile to invest in a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to use it for as long as you like.
Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Choose padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for plush fabric which feels comfortable under them. It's also an excellent idea to select a seat with an option to lie flat which allows your infant to sit in a more reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high.
There are pushchairsandprams of accessories for infant car seats however Dr. Segura advises against purchasing any item that isn't included in the seat, as it hasn't been tested in a crash and may be unsafe. Avoid buying used car seats for infants because they might have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
The top infant car seats cost from $100 to more than $600. However they all have some features. They're all light, easy to install and detach and comfortable for infants. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to rotate and clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. For more information on the various options available, check out our review of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get your baby in and out of the seat. The best infant car seats have a single-handed clasp system that eliminates having to grip both sides at the same time. They also have padding that is cushioned to make it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to take into consideration the weight of the seat--you'll be using it without a base for instance so a lighter model is more suitable. The Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less that 13 pounds.
The height and weight limit of infant car seats are important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a while choose an infant car seat that will adapt to your baby's needs and will allow them to transition into the toddler years. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not purchasing another seat.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and if it's smaller or larger than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second could be helpful when you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you plan to use a car seat along with a pram, choose one that is compatible with the most popular strollers and has removable seats. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that will satisfy your requirements.
To make it easier to use, take a look at the rating that a car seat gets for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color coding--can assist in easing the burden on parents who are new. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or underneath the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb the force of impact during a crash.
There are also accessories that claim to improve the convenience and comfort of your car seat. But remember that anything that is not included with the seat hasn't been subjected to safety testing. Segura suggests that you don't place anything in your car seat, including the blanket or harness you bought from a different source.
Style
For new parents, figuring out how to select the most suitable infant car seat is a bit of an issue. It's important that you understand your budget and what features you'd like. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's suitable for your baby.
For instance it's worth noting that infant-specific seats fit smaller babies better than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of their lives (though some might include extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to ensure they last longer). They tend to offer more recline options to ensure the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are also more likely to work with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that will do double duty.
Car seat weight and width are important to consider for the majority of families. Certain infant car seats, like, are narrower to fit better in the back of your car or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps as you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.
In terms of convenience, many parents opt for infant car seats with the ability to move from the base to the carrier and click directly into a stroller, without the need for additional attachments. This can save you a lot of time, especially during busy times when you need to complete errands.
Other convenient features include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a streamlined installation procedure. Lastly, look for a head and body support insert, which will assist infants in avoiding slumping in their seats or carriers when they fall asleep.
The majority of car seats utilize flexible straps for the lower anchor connectors, however, some come with latches that can be flipped out of the base and turn green once installed. This kind of installation is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat moves during an accident.