How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
The options available when it comes time to choose a car seat for infants can be overwhelming. There are a few things to look out for that can aid in narrowing your choices.
The premium features like load legs, a simple harness to tighten, and an extendable headrest that expands with your baby can make your experience on this parenting journey smoother.
Ease of Use
When purchasing a car seat for your infant, you should consider the weight and height limits. You should make sure that the seat will last for your child until they outgrow it, which usually happens at around the age of two. Also, think about whether you require a car seat that has the maximum weight or height of 90th percentile or in case you prefer one that is shorter or taller. This will help you determine how long you plan to use the seat.
You should also consider how it is simple to set up and use the seat. The ease of loosening or tightening straps, latch connectors and the variety of buckle positions all have an impact on accessibility. Consider the comfort of the body and head pads, as well as any other extra features like an insulated cupholder and a hidden harness pad.
The more user-friendly a seat is, you are more likely to use it correctly. This could be a major factor in the safety of your child. Seats that are easy to put on and take off from the base with a minimum of effort are the easiest.
The weight of the car seat as well as its portability are important aspects to think about. You'll want to lift it up with a baby inside, and transport it with ease, particularly if you're going on longer journeys. You should also check the height and width dimensions to ensure it's suitable for your vehicle, and if you intend to use it with a stroller, search for a model that is compatible with various strollers.
Lastly, you should examine the results of the crash tests conducted by the manufacturer. You can locate these results on the official website of the manufacturer or via an online search. You can find out if the seat has an history of protecting infants from crashes and what the policy for replacement.
Safety
The primary concern for parents who are shopping for an infant car seat is whether it will keep their child safe. All infant car seats must adhere to the safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Opens in a new window (NHTSA), which include rigorous crash testing and a five-point harness system.
However, there are a few other factors to consider when shopping for an infant car seat. It is essential to select the right infant car seat based on your child's height and weight as well as the kind of vehicle you own. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is correctly fitted, as poorly installed car seats can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
A good infant car safety seat should have clear installation instructions, a bubble indicator for the level that is easy to read, and a locking clip which prevents the base from being removed accidentally. It should be lightweight and have features that are convenient such as an extended no-rethread strap with an anti-rebound bar and a premium leg that protects your baby's head in the event of an accident.
While it's not an essential feature for all families, some parents may want to consider a baby car seat that can convert into a toddler car seat at the pull of a lever on the base. This will provide them with greater flexibility and let their child use the seat until they reach the height and weight limit.
You should also consider how the car seat will be to use on a regular basis. The straps must be easy to loosen and tighten, and the buckle should be simple to slide in and out of. The bag should be simple to carry even when empty and the base should be easy to remove from the vehicle without needing to fiddle around.
It is also a good idea, prior to purchasing a car seat, to check if there are any recalls. This can be done through the NHTSA website Opens in a new window. It includes an index of searchable databases of all past and current recalls of car seats.
Comfort
Parents are the most concerned about comfort when it comes to infant car seat. These rear-facing seats are engineered to safeguard babies in the case of a crash and most have built-in support for the body and head to keep your baby cozy. Look for a rear-facing seat with features like no-rethread straps, magnetic buckle holders, and adjustable shoulder belts.
Another feature that can make or break an infant car seat is how easy it is to set up and use. Idealy, you should be capable of taking the seat off the base with just one hand while holding the baby in the other. And when you're ready to return the seat to its base it should snap easily into position and take less than an hour.
Many infant car seats can be used without a base, which is ideal for parents who often switch cars or ride taxis. Be sure to check the weight and height limits of the seat prior to purchasing it to ensure your child is not too big. Most car seats come with an infant insert which can be used for babies who are very small (like in the early months or weeks of their lives) until their shoulders are able to reach to the lowest harness slot.
If you want an infant car seat that is a combination of convenience and safety, consider a convertible model. These seats are designed to work with strollers and feature a mechanism that allows them to fold up when not in use. However, they're typically larger than normal infant car seats and may be more difficult to transport.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat has a load leg or brace that sits between the seat and the floor of your vehicle to provide additional stability. While these aren't a requirement but they can be helpful for small vehicles or vehicles with multiple seats.
Convenience
A high-quality infant car seat can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your baby is secure and comfortable on long trips. Consider features like shoulder straps that are padded, extra padding for the neck to allow your baby to get comfortable, a wide range of recline positions, and more. You might also want to look into a car seat that has extra features, such as UPF 50+ sun protection and a canopy that zips open fully that gives your baby the security they require.
Consider the ease of installation and use of the seat in relation to convenience. You'll likely need to install the seat using the LATCH system and the vehicle belt and so choose an option that makes it as easy as possible.
For instance our top pick for best infant car seats The Nuna Pipa is equipped with an easy installation process due to the steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and flash green when connected. This feature along with recline angle guides and colored belt-oath indicators make it the most popular infant car seats due to its convenience of use.
The seat is also small and light, which makes it a great choice for parents who need to travel with their infant or will be changing between cars often. infant car seats uk comes with a non rethread harness, and magnetic buckle holders which allow you to clip the seat with one hand.
A slim shell that's less than 17 inches wide means the infant seat is more comfortable than others available, and the extra padding in the chest and shoulder areas offer added comfort. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other alternatives, but we believe the top features, like an adjustable base and SnugLock lockoff, are worth it.
Car seats for infants are a significant expense. With the proper information, you can narrow your choices down to a few models which best fit your family. Then, you can concentrate on the crucial task of getting ready for the arrival of your child!