10 Factors To Know About Best Infant Car Seat You Didn't Learn At School
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat What do you want from your seat? “If you need a car seat that can expand with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be converted to a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limitation. The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an advantage. Other features that are helpful include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that reduce the impact of a crash. Safety They are designed to fit smaller babies better, which is why they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or attach to a stroller frame which is important because you will be required to transport your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle often. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limit. It is an excellent idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to give to families. Find features that can be useful to your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These features assist in securing up your child, but keep in mind that even the most secure seats can be dangerous when they aren't used properly. Other factors to be aware of are the size and weight of the car seat. newborn car seat insert pushchairsandprams can be installed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some can grow with your child, and convert to a booster at the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative. In general, you should buy the safest car seat that you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For instance, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products. Convenience The ideal infant car seat is one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family It is simple to install and use, and has useful features like an integrated stroller or a rotation ability. It should also be affordable. Infant seats range in price from around $180 to more than $500. If they're convertible, and are intended for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher. Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant out of the seat. You want to be able to set up and take it out easily, especially if you switch it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be light and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat. It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and turn the seat around when it is not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, you need to verify the weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile. Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards and include other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40 percent. This alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for car seats that are safe and has added convenience features. Comfort One of the most important considerations when selecting a baby car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have thick, breathable fabric and ample padding on the headrest and harness. They also come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading. The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially if it is intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller than others, making them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or your siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are a bit lighter than others. This can prevent your biceps from aching when you carry it between vehicles. Some infant car seats come with additional features that allow them to be more flexible. For instance, they can rotate or be clicked into a stroller, without the need for adapters. Certain models include top-quality features like the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bar to provide extra security in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential to the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat. Parents want their babies to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking fresh. Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide™ Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator that lets you know that the seat is properly secured. The seat's carry handle is adjustable as well as harness tightener indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base. Design Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the variety of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limits and the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the cost but could also increase the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every car. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is crucial. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. Also, you should consider whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if there is a one-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Some models let you use the seat without a base which is useful if you take taxis often or plan on changing cars often. Look for models that come with a built-in lock as well as bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly. Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that expands with the growing baby or a recline with five positions, as well as an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is an additional benefit. Doona is a car seat for infants that will delight parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our product testers scored it highly in all categories. For instance, it's certified for travel on airplanes, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and transforms directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). The crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.