How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best
Parents must have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat more effective than another?
 A dedicated infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter to facilitate transport outside the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier like premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, think about security features like load legs and head/body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you, selecting the right car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions that you can make. The correct seat will ensure that your child is in a position correctly and properly protected in case in the event of a car crash.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Certain seats come with features specifically designed to protect infants. For example load legs help minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. 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 small babies best, and typically come with extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, according to Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and are easily transferred to a stroller which makes them perfect for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. You can buy used ones at a fraction of the price because they're only good for the first 12 months.
A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are important, but the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at the very least one crucial mistake when installing or positioning their car seat.
It's a good idea to spend a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We recommend that you choose a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so that it is easy to carry around your baby.
You should also check to see whether the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat properly by yourself, you may consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born to receive a hands-on demonstration.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have extra features that make it simpler to use. For example, they may have a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they may have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat - particularly when there is a child in your care.
It is also essential to think about the limits on height and weight for the infant car seat. If your baby is growing quickly it may be worthwhile to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure you can use it for as long as you'd like.
In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat should also be comfortable. Find padded straps that won't squeeze or rub their shoulders and plush fabric that feels soft underneath them for long durations of time. Select a seat that is in an upright position. This allows your child to sit upright position, which helps to keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.
There are many accessories for infant car seat for travel car seats, however Dr. Segura cautions against buying anything that is not included in the seat because it hasn't been tested for crash and could be dangerous. Avoid buying a used infant car seats because they may have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.
The best infant car seats range in price from $100 to over $600. However they all have certain characteristics. They're all light, easy to install and take down, and are comfortable for the infant. Some even come with special features that make them more versatile such as the ability to pivot and clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats for more information about the various choices available.
Comfort
Top infant car seats come with features for comfort that allow you to easily get your baby into and out of the seat. The top rated infant car seats infant car seats feature one-handed clasps that lets you grip both sides at once. They also come with cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a seat that is lighter is better. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds.
The weight and height limits of the infant car seats is also important. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a period of time, look for a model that can grow with your baby and will fit them well into toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not buying another seat.
You should also think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or wider than other models. The former can be an advantage for smaller vehicles, and the latter could be beneficial if you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some point. If you plan to use a car seat with a pram, select one that is compatible with the most popular strollers, and includes removable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that will satisfy your requirements.
For ease of use, check out the score a car seat receives for installation. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened--like bubble levels or color codes--can aid in reducing stress on new parents. Some seats have innovative features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the seat base or underneath the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some impact force during a crash.
There are also a few accessories that claim to improve the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any accessory not included with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. "Anything you purchase that isn't from the manufacturer, even the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat," Segura says.
Style
For parents who are new trying to figure out how to select the best car seat for your infant can be a bit of an issue. It's important to know the budget you have set and the features that you want. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and even fabrics. But it all boils down to comfort.
It is important to remember that convertible car seats aren't suitable for babies and can only be used up to the age of one year. Some may even have extension kits that have been tested for safety which can help them last longer. They tend to offer more recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that will perform double duty.
Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial factors for most families. Some infant car seats, like are narrower and can be able to fit 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 then transfer them from the car to the stroller.
When it comes to convenience, many parents opt for infant car seats with the capability to move from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without the need for extra attachments. This can save a lot of time, particularly on busy days when you're out running errands with your kids.
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 stop infants from settling into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep.
Some car seats feature rigid latches which flip out from the base if installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and restricts the amount that a seat can move during an accident.
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