How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Car seats for infants are offered in a variety of prices, based on the type of material, style and accessories. You don't need to spend a lot on a good infant car seat.
Our product testers rated the top-performing infant car seats across five main categories: safety, user-friendliness reliability, comfort, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The best infant car seat is rigorously crash tested. The most secure infant car seats have clear instructions and features like bubble levels or padded seating to offer a good amount of support for the infant. We also found it beneficial when a chair has simple adjustments that don't require taking the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or utilize hooks and clips that allow for quick changes. Parents are more likely to maintain correctly fitted harnesses when the process is easy and quick.
A seat that's machine washable is a benefit and we searched for models that allow for the seat to be placed with the base, reducing the risk of a dropped or damaged buckle during washing. If you intend to use your car seat often particularly on public transportation, it's worth investing in a model with self-retracting belts as well as a reclining feature. This will help ease the strain on your spine.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is one of the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we recommend doing your research on thoroughly prior to buying. Read reviews from parents and child safety advocacy organizations. Before you buy an automobile seat, it's an excellent idea to check the website of the manufacturer and review any recalls.
Infant car seats are small, lightweight car seats that are designed for infants or babies who are up to their first birthday. They are usually used with a rear-facing. Most infants outgrow their car seat by the time they reach the age of one or, in the case of convertible or all-in-one seats, are shifted to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used with the rear facing side until your child reaches the maximum weight and height limits set by the manufacture. After that, they should be changed to an forward-facing car seat. The convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used in both directions, but it is more secure for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they are old enough to move forward.
Simple to Use
It's important to choose a car seat that is easy for parents to use and children, even though safety is the primary aspect. That's why we look at things like buckles, harness adjustments and handles in our tests, as well as how easy it is to install the car seat in a vehicle. If a car seat isn't easy to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could impact the safety of your child.
Take a look at having a meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to when you bring your infant home if you're concerned about the correct installation of your infant car seat. They can show you how to use the seat and give you the video of a crash test. Be sure to read the car seat's manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.
Infant car seats are not convertible, and they can only be used until your child outgrows it or exceeds the weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. This is why it's a good choice to select the right seat that can be used as long as you can before switching your little one into a larger car seat.
Some infant car seats even convert into a stroller and provide more value for your money. But it's important to note that any car seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than those that only work as an infant car seat.
Another factor to consider is the width of your infant car seat is, which will affect the ease with which it can fit in your vehicle and if it's compatible with other seats in the back row. You should also take into consideration the weight of the seat as a light seat is easier to move into and out of the car. This is a particularly important factor to think about if you're planning to use your infant seat frequently and be transporting it between vehicles. In our top infant car seats review, we suggest models that are smaller and lighter.
Reliability
The safety of your child is the most important thing you can do. And while every car seat sold must comply with federal safety standards, some surpass. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance, has a two-stage body support system that helps keep small infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. It also scored a top crash test score from Consumer Reports.
Remember, however, even the most secure infant car seat can only be as safe depending on how it is put in place and used. A poorly-installed or incorrectly-used car seat is a major danger for infants as well as children of all age groups. That's why Vybiralova Stanton recommends reading the manufacturer's manual and searching for videos of installation online. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more focused on ensuring you have the right car seat and baby," she says.
The most reliable infant cars seats have features that make it simple to install and use, including the buckle release for harnesses that can be operated with one hand, magnetic strap holders that don't catch on clothing and a no-rethread harness. They also have sturdy materials and a range of adjustment mechanisms that operate seamlessly.
A base that can be used in conjunction with or without the LATCH system in the vehicle or shoulder belt is a different feature to consider. This is useful for parents who travel by taxi frequently or use their seat in multiple vehicles.
Also, you should consider how the car seat for infants weighs and if you can easily transport it around. Some models are heavier than others and can strain your shoulders and arms, especially if you have other kids to carry around or traveling long distances.
In the end, a car seat that is priced lower can save you time and money. Don't buy a low-cost car seat just because it's inexpensive. A low price could mean that the manufacturer has compromised on safety features or quality. Before making a decision it's best to read reviews and get recommendations from other parents.
Convenience
The best car seat infants make it easy to ensure your baby's safety. They are simple to install and have features that make buckling and unbuckling simpler and come with other features like comfortable fabrics and a no rethread harness. The car seats also come with design features that make them safer in the event of a crash. For example they come with load legs that absorb shock. They are parts on the base of the seat. This helps reduce movement and thus the impact force on your baby.
If you're driving a smaller car, or you plan to change between multiple vehicles frequently choose a baby car seat that is small and slim. This kind of seat is able to fit into narrower cars, and many of them have a unique handle that makes it easy to tote. They are also often lighter than convertible car seats, meaning they're less difficult to lift into and out of vehicles.
Another advantage of this car seat for infants is that it can be converted into a stroller with no requirement for an additional attachment. This is ideal for families who are always moving around or living in cities with public transportation. lightweight baby car seat 's slightly larger than a standard car seat for an infant but not as big as a convertible one.
This highly rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our product testers liked it for its harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders that make it quick to get the baby in and out. It has many features that make it easier to use, including an adjustable recline via a button that can be operated in four positions and steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that can be removed from the base once secured.
As a new parent choosing the right car seats for your baby is among the most important decisions you will make. It's important to do research and read reviews prior to making a decision. You should ensure that the car seat that you pick is designed with your child's safety in mind, and that it meets all national safety standards.