11 “Faux Pas” That Are Actually Acceptable To Do With Your Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Think about what you would like from your car seat. “If you're looking for an automobile seat that can grow with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be transformed to a high-back booster or an unbackless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limitation. It also scores highly for comfort and quality thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or in the car seat that help to limit movement in a crash. Safety They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to get out of the car or put onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is important because you'll probably have to transport your child in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit. It's an excellent idea to conduct some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to give to families. You will also want to consider whether the seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, like a one-handed strap release and a harness with no rethread or an adjustable foot with springs. These features can help you buckle up your child, but remember that even the most safe seats can be dangerous when they are not used correctly. The weight and width of the car seat are also crucial. Many infant seats can be put in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some of them can grow with your child, and then convert to a booster at the same time. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good option. In general it's best to buy the safest seat you can afford, as the cheapest models typically do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats. Convenience The ideal infant car seat is one that can fit in the vehicle of your family It is simple to install and use, and has handy features such as the built-in stroller or rotating ability. It should also be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and are designed to be used by toddlers and infants, the price can be higher. The convenience features include whether the seat can be installed using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant from the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guides and bubble levels so you can easily install the car seat properly installed. It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. As a rule, choose a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile. Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards and include additional features like crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that is safe and has additional safety 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 ones have comfortable, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading. The size and weight of a car seat for infants can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to change cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller making it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it between vehicles. Some infant car seats come with extra features to make them more versatile. For example they can rotate or be converted into a stroller with no need for additional adapters. Certain models include premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of the possibility of a crash. Although these features aren't essential for a safe ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat. Parents want their infants to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking fresh. Certain models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and also an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know whether it's securely attached to the base. car seat newborn insert make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the variety of features available can make it difficult to decide what's most suitable for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit, the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of babies. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats fit in every vehicle. One of the most important aspects is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're flexible or rigid, will affect this. It is also important to think about whether the straps are able to be easily adjusted and tightened and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat. Some models allow you to use the seat without a base which is useful for those who frequently use taxis or if you plan to switch cars often. To make sure that your seat is securely installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanism. Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that expands with the infant, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also said that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is an added benefit. The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that spoils parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is why our product testers have rated it highly across the range. For instance, it's approved for use on planes, and has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into strollers (no need for separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.