How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Car seats for infants are offered in a variety of prices, based on the type of material, style and accessories. However, you don't need to spend a lot to find an excellent car seat for infants.
Our product testers rated the best-performing infant car seats in five key categories safety user-friendliness, convenience of use, reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The most effective infant car seats are tested for crash. They also have clear instructions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seating that provides good support for babies. We also found it beneficial when a seat has easy-to-use adjustments that don't require the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that make use of hooks and clips for quick adjustments. If the procedure is quick and easy, parents are more likely to maintain their the correct fitting harnesses.
We searched for seats that are machine washable and models that could be used with the base to reduce the risk of a buckle getting dropped or loosened during washing. If you'll be using your car seat often and especially in public transport it could be worth the extra expense for a model that has self-retracting straps and a reclining mechanism to help reduce the strain on your back.
It's important to do thorough research prior to making a purchase. Review reviews from other parents as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. It's recommended to visit the manufacturer's website and read any recall notices before you buy a car seat.
Infant car seats are small, lightweight car seats that are designed for infants or babies who are up to their first birthday. They are typically used rear-facing. Most infants outgrow their car seat by the time they reach the age of one or, in the case of convertible or all-in-one seats, they are moved to a toddler car seat. Infant-only seats should be used with the rear facing side until your child is at the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. After that, they need to be changed to a car seat that is facing forward. A convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both ways, but it's safer for your baby to stay in an rear-facing car seat until they're large enough to fit in a front-facing seat.
Simple to Use
While the safety of car seats is crucial but it's also crucial to find one that is easy for parents to use. We test the buckles as well as the handles and harness adjustments in addition to its ease of fitting into the vehicle. If a car seat is hard to use, it may end up being used incorrectly which could compromise the safety of your child.
You should consider 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 can show you how to use the seat and give you an example of an accident test. And don't forget to read the instruction manual that comes with your car seat, as it will assist you in avoiding common mistakes during installation.
In contrast to convertible car seats which can be used for toddlers and older children infant car seats will only last until your child outgrows them or reaches the highest weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. It's important to choose a seat for your child that will last as long as it can, before transitioning them to an adult car seat that is suitable for older children.
Some infant car seats can be converted into strollers and give you more bang for your money. However, it is important to keep in mind that any seat that is able to be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than the ones that are only used as an infant car seat.
Another factor to consider is how wide your infant's car seat is. This can affect the ease of it to fit in your vehicle and if it's compatible other seats in the back row. It's also important to consider how heavy it is, since lighter seats are easier to lift into and out of the car. This is especially important in the event that you plan to use the infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. In our best infant car seats review, we recommend models that are narrower and lighter.
Reliability
The safety of your child is a top priority. While every car seat on the market must adhere to federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. Clek's Liing is one of the winners of the Best of the Bump award. It comes with two-stage body support system that keeps babies comfortable and cozy. It also received a stellar crash test score from Consumer Reports.
It is important to remember that even the most secure infant car seat is only as safe as how well it's installed and used. Poorly installed or misused car seats pose a serious danger to children and infants of all age groups. Vybiralova Stanton suggests that you read the manual of the car seat manufacturer and look for online installation videos. "You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure you have the correct seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.
The most secure infant car seats have features that make it simple to set up and use, such as a one-handed harness buckle release and magnetic strap holders that won't get caught on clothing, and a non-rethread harness. The seats are made of sturdy materials and have various adjustable mechanisms that work seamlessly.
A base that can be used with or without the LATCH system in the vehicle or shoulder belt is another option to think about. This is helpful for parents who travel by taxi frequently or who use their seat in more than one vehicle.
It's also worth considering how much the infant car seat weighs and if you can easily transport it around. Some models are much heavier than others, and may strain your shoulders and arms particularly when you have kids to carry around or traveling long distances.
Ultimately, an infant car seat with a lower cost will save you time and money. But, be wary to buy one just because it's cheaper. A price that is low could mean that the manufacturer has cut corners on safety features or material quality. It's always a good idea to review reviews and get suggestions from other parents prior to making your final purchase.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants make it easy to keep your baby safe. This means they're simple to install, have features that make buckling up or unbuckling a breeze, and include other convenience amenities like comfortable fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. They also feature design elements that help to make them more protective in the event of a collision like load legs that absorb shock. parts of the base or the car seat that reduce movement and thus impact forces on your child.
If you have a smaller car, or you plan to change between multiple vehicles often you should consider a child car seat that is small and slim. This kind of seat can fit easily in narrower vehicles, and many have a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, so they are easier to lift into and out of the vehicle.
Another benefit of this car seat for infants is that it transforms into a stroller with no need for an additional attachment. This is an enormous benefit for families that are constantly on the go or reside in cities where public transportation is popular. It's a bit larger than an ordinary infant car seat, but it's still not as big as convertible models.
The top-rated infant car seat is easy to use, and our test participants loved it due to its harness that is not rethread and buckle holders with magnetic buckles which make it incredibly fast to get baby in and out. It is equipped with features that make it easier to use, for example an adjustable recline via a button that can be operated in four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that are able to pop out of the base when secured.
As a new parent, choosing the right car seats for your baby is among the most important choices you'll make. This is why it's crucial to study and read reviews of different options before making the decision. You must make sure that the car seat you choose is specifically designed with your child's safety in mind, and also that it meets national standards for safety.