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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Car seats are a must-have for parents. But what makes one better than another?
A dedicated infant seat is the best choice for infants who aren't big enough. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience extras such as premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, consider security features like load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As every parent will tell you, choosing the best car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions that you can make. The best seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and adequately secured in the event of a crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. Although every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Some seats have features that are specifically designed to protect infants. For instance load legs help minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Others include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.
Choi says that dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit babies the best. They often come with crash-tested inserts, which aid in this. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share drop-offs and pick-ups. And because they'll only last for the first year of your baby's life, you can always buy an used one at less than the price.
Another factor to consider is that, while having a high NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are essential, the method you use your car seat is even more important to the safety of your child. In fact, a study by Portland's leading children's hospital revealed that 95 percent of parents made at least one critical mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.
It's important to familiarize yourself before your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the appropriate guidelines for car seats. We suggest that you select a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around with your baby.
It is also important to determine if the car seat for infants you're considering meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your capability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born to receive a hands-on demonstration.
Convenience
Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it simpler to use. For example, they may include a base the seat clicks into and out of, or they could feature easy-to-use adjustments. These features make it simpler to remove and install the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care.
It is also essential to think about the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly it could be worth the cost to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you utilize it for as long as possible.
In addition to the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for comfortable straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft under them for extended durations. Choose a seat that has a lie-flat position. This allows your baby to ride in an upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are many accessories for infant car seats, but Dr. Segura cautions against buying anything that is not included in the seat, as it hasn't been crash tested and could be unsafe. Also, avoid purchasing used car seats for infants, because they could have been involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn out.
The top infant car seats are priced between $100 and $600. However they all share some characteristics. They're all lightweight, easy to install and detach and are comfortable for infants. Some even have special features that make them more flexible, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers, without the need for adapters. Check out our review of the best infant car seat uk car seats for more details on the different choices available.
Comfort
The best forward facing infant car seat car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both straps simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to consider the weight of the seat. Since you'll use it with no base, a seat that is lighter is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds.
Other important aspects include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a period of time you should look for an infant car seat that will expand with your child and fit them into toddlerhood. This way, you'll be able to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The first is a good option for smaller vehicles. The second could be beneficial if you have three kids in the rear facing infant car seat seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you plan to use the car seat in conjunction with strollers, choose one that can be detached from car seats that are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna offer options to meet your needs.
For ease of use, take a look at the score that a car seat gets for installation. Clear guides and indicators, like bubble levels or color coding to indicate if the seat is securely fastened and level, can ease stress for new parents. Some seats come with unique features, like load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the base or underneath the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some force during a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything that's not included in the seat hasn't been subjected to safety tests. "Anything you purchase that isn't from the manufacturer, including the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For new parents trying to figure out how to pick the best car seat for your infant is a bit of a puzzle. It's crucial to know your budget and the features you'd like. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. But it all comes down to comfort.
For instance it's important to note that infant-specific seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of their lives (though some may have extensions that have been tested for crash to help them last longer). They usually have a greater number of recline modes to allow for the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are more likely to be compatible when used with a travel system. This can be useful for new parents looking to save money and time by buying seats that serve two purposes.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial elements for families with a large number of children. Some infant car seats, for example, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your vehicle or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.
When it comes to convenience, many parents prefer infant car seats that have the capability to move from base to carrier and click directly into a stroller, without the need for additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands with your children.
Other features that are useful include a magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a simple installation process. Look for a head and body support insert to prevent infants from slumping into the seat or in the car as they fall asleep.
Some car seats have rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base when installed correctly. This type of installation is more secure and can restrict the amount that a seat can move during an accident.