You ll Be Unable To Guess Best Infant Seat s Secrets
Best Infant Seat Features
All infant seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However, some go beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love such as extra padding, a padded inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no Rethreading.
When selecting our top picks, we considered factors such as weight (without base), stroller compatibility, extra features and price. Find out the best infant car seats best seat for your family by reading.
Safety
Every infant car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards. However, some seats come with additional features that are beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in, strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a seat comes with, the are more efficient.
The more user-friendly a car seat is and the more likely parents will be to use it in a safe manner and reduce the risk of injury to their child in an accident. This is especially important for infant seats, which are only meant to be used for a short time. Look for a model that's easy to install with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to help keep the seat level. Make sure that the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.
Some car seat manufacturers provide high-end features like a no-rethread strap, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips that carry the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful the safety of a car seat is only as good as the car that you use to drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your infant's car seat and learn more about the vehicle's safety features.
When you are choosing an infant car seat, be aware that you will only be able use it for approximately 2 years before your child is ready to move to the convertible seat. This is why some families choose to leave out the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible seat, which has greater height and weight limits. When buying an infant car seat, be sure to take into consideration the dimensions of your car and test several models before settling on one. You can ensure that the seat is safe for the child, fits in your vehicle and also has useful features such as the ability to convert it into a stroller. Also, make sure to check for recalls before making a purchase. It's the most important aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.
Simple to Use
If you're planning to use the seat in a single car or transferring it between many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to put in and remove from the base. It is important to look for clear installation instructions and a smooth mechanism. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials that are used.
One of the best features that infant seats have is a load leg that acts as an extra brace between the base of the seat and the vehicle's floor to provide additional stability in the event of an accident. It's an especially important feature if you drive an older car seats by age, as the risk of injury to the head in a crash is higher when an infant is seated close to the ground, as per research conducted by Consumer Reports.
Other high-end features can enhance the infant car seat experience. These include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from bouncing in a crash. The latter has been proven by research to reduce the risk for head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has earned an outstanding rating from child-passenger safety technicians and features an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions and an extended canopy that secures with magnets to ensure complete coverage.
Another thing to look for is an infant seat that can be installed using a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. That's ideal for parents who intend to take taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need an extra journey back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's built right into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and easy to install in any car seat for newborn. It can also be used with a rear facing infant car seat-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and converts to the highback booster or backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 pounds). This is an excellent option for those on a tight budget.
Comfort
If your child is in the car seat for long periods of time, it's important they feel comfortable. This includes padded shoulder straps as well as soft fabrics that feel comfortable against their stomach or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Look for an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow, as well.
A seat with many special features is usually more expensive, but is also easier to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies, we consider aspects like a single-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors and harness that doesn't rethread. We also take into consideration the weight and dimensions of the seat, as a heavy or large seat can strain your biceps while you carry it in and out of your vehicle or in between vehicles.
Another good choice is a seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this additional safety feature.
The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll need to make sure the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It's also worth considering convertible infant car seats that converts to a toddler seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is perfect for families who often change cars or travel.
Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona which combines a car seat for an infant and a stroller all in one package. It's the ideal choice for parents on the go particularly those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It is also easy to set up. Our testers who were experts in the field have praised its simplicity of use and its one-handed latching system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also commented on how compact the seat is, which is a must for those who have a small trunk space. Additionally, it's free of any flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.
Convenience
The most effective cheap infant car seats car seats are simple to use. The most effective infant car seats come with features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important things to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which is useful in the car and also attached to a stroller.
One thing that may not seem like a big thing, but could save you a lot of headache is a meter on the base that will let you know that it's been properly installed. This line is located on the base's side and should be in line with the ground when you're done. This is especially helpful when you're going to change the car seat often or the baby will be traveling with you and you'll need to set it up in Ubers or taxis.
Another useful feature is the ability to attach a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping child from the car to the supermarket or on errands without having to lug around an additional carrier. This can be a game changer for new parents who want to return to their normal routine after an exhausting commute or outing with a baby.
If you anticipate your child to grow rapidly opt for a car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you can keep the car seat in use longer.
While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it does not mean that all car seats are made equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that brace the seat's base to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bar that reduces the risk of head injuries from crashes. Some extras can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, making you as a parent are happier and more confident.
