Choosing the Best Car Seats Infant
The best infant car seats comply with federal safety standards and include clear instructions for installation. It's also helpful to consult this helpful chart. It opens in a new window that helps determine whether your child needs a forward-facing or rear-facing car seat.
Find useful accessories like load legs, which can limit movement in a crash. Think about whether you would like an convertible stroller or car seat.
Simple to use
Selecting a car seat for your infant is essential since it's the only car seat you'll ever use during the first year of life. It's important to consider safety guidelines from organisations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You should also rely on sources such as Consumer Reports as well as suggestions from other parents.
Aside from checking the NHTSA rating and vehicle fit information, look for an infant car seat that is simple to install and assemble, easy to get your baby in and out of, has a comfortable padding, and has convenient features. Some of the best infant car seats have self-checking mechanisms which give you a bubble or color indicator to show you have installed it correctly--super beneficial for exhausted parents.
Additionally, you should take into consideration the size and weight of the seat. If you'd like to be able to use the seat for a longer time, select a seat that can go all the way to the 90th percentile of height and weight. It's hard to tell what your child's preference is until you try it out but you can look for a thick cushion and plush materials that feel comfortable against their skin.
If you're not sure what to choose, a certified child safety specialist can help you learn more about which types of seats and installation methods will work best for your car. They will also be able to provide suggestions on the most appropriate fit and comfort for your child, as well as helping you understand the crash policy of each brand.
Safety
While every car seat on the market must adhere to federal safety standards There are a myriad of factors that could make one infant car seat more or less safe than another. Choosing the best car seat for your baby begins with ensuring it is in line with the specifications of the manufacturer's height and weight, as well as the requirements of your vehicle's. You should also consult the manual for your car on how to install the seat using lower anchors and tethers (or seat belts, for older cars without LATCH). The next step is to examine special features such as load legs or anti-rebound bars that help reduce the force of a crash. You should also consider whether you can afford and live with convertible car seats which will eventually turn into a toddler seat.
When it concerns safety, the most important factor is that your baby's seat is properly installed. Before installing a car seat, it's essential to read the user's manual or watch online installation videos. Even if you think that your car seat is installed correctly it's always a good idea to get a professional check it.
The most effective way to make a car seat more secure is to make it more comfortable to use. A seat that is easy to use will be more likely to be used correctly and safely, so look for easy-to-read instructions and convenient features like handles that grip the straps, or buckles with sensors which let you know if your child hasn't sat down.
In the same way, make sure you purchase car seats only from a reputable website or store. It's not safe to buy seats from random sellers or from websites that ship directly from China. It is also recommended to avoid purchasing used car seats since they could be faulty or may have been involved in an accident.
A car trip can be stressful, especially for a baby. Find an infant car seat that is padded with soft fabrics, straps that are cushioned and is comfortable on the shoulders and neck. Also, you should consider the weight of the seatYou want to be capable of lifting it and carry it without hurting yourself, particularly if you intend to use it for long periods of time.
Comfort
A good car seat should not only protect your child but also be comfortable for a newborn. Consider features like heavy padding, adjustable harnesses and ventilation holes to keep your baby cool (especially when you live in a hot area). It's essential to read reviews online and test out the seat prior to buying.
Another aspect to take into consideration is weight. All infant car seats sold meet federal safety standards. However there are some that are lighter. This is particularly important if you plan to use the car seat in multiple vehicles or even attach it to a stroller frame. Nuna Pipa Aire RX, for example is the lightest convertible car seat available on the market. It weighs only 6.2 pounds (without the canopy or base). Recently, the Pipa Lite Aire which is a little less expensive yet nevertheless safe car seat, was added to the product line.
The seat is more narrow compared to other models. This is good for most cars, but it can be problematic when you have the trunk is small. The shoulder straps are not adjustable in the height and the belt guides do not provide enough padding to stop the shoulders of your child from being pushed around.
Overall the seat is easy to put in and will fit the majority of newborns easily. It has a higher limit of rear-facing than other seats, and is simple to switch between reclining positions. It's priced in the middle of the range for an infant car seat but it has a stellar reputation for its quality and comes with two cupholders.
There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing an infant car seat. However, you don't have to be intimidated if you do your research prior to purchasing. Take into account your vehicle fit with safety and comfort features, and price. When you take these aspects into consideration you'll be able choose the best car seat for your little one and rest assured that it's safe. No matter how good the car seat is, it won't be as safe in the event that you don't put it in place correctly.
Installation Ease
The correct installation of car seats is crucial to keep your baby secure. We look at the installation ease when choosing the best car seat for a baby. Many of the best baby car seats have self-checking indicators. They include bubbles or colored indicators that tell you when the seat has been installed correctly. This helps to avoid making mistakes that could lead to danger. Some even have self-checking features on the base, which is particularly useful when you frequently switch the seat between vehicles.
The best infant car seats make it easy to adjust or loosen the harness straps, without the requirement of the use of a manual or a tool. portable infant car seat is especially useful for babies and infants who require a tight harness to ensure sufficient support. A smooth, secure mechanism is also essential to avoid any irritation when you have a wriggly baby and must fasten the seat quickly.
The best infant car seats are lightweight and easy to carry around. We love models that do not feel heavy when a child is in them. A car seat that's too heavy can strain your arms and back So it's important to pick a seat that has the weight range that is feasible for you.
We also consider the weight and the width of the base and the seat, since it's not necessary to buy a seat too big for your car or one that will require many juggles in order to move it from the car and back in. We prefer seats that are smaller and can be placed in three or two rows. They also tend to be less likely than wider seats to rub against each other.
Chicco KeyFit is our favorite model in this category. It has received a high rating from both experts and parents, including CPST teacher Kecia Healy. The KeyFit range comes with features that make installation easy like a foot recliner with springs and a bubble gauge at the base. Healy also lauds the tightening mechanism, which makes use of a SuperCinch belt-tightening system to make it easier to hold the seat in place.