From All Over The Web: 20 Fabulous Infographics About Best Infant Car Seat How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you need an automobile seat that can grow with your child, consider 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 comes with a huge rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the base or car seats and reduce movement during an accident.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will need to transport your child's car seat outside of the vehicle frequently. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being designed to last through the first year of your child's life so you don't need to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as quickly as the convertible car seat might.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are rigorous but it's a good idea to do your own research before purchasing. Consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to provide to families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. This could include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats will not be useful if they are not used correctly.

The weight and the width of the car seat are equally crucial. Many infant car seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Others can be able to grow with your child, and convert to an adult booster at the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat for transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is installed using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative.

In general, it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, since the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. For instance, it's recommended to stay clear of models that do not include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their seats.

Convenience

The best infant car seat is the one that will fit comfortably in the car of your family It is simple to install and use, and comes with convenient extras like the built-in stroller or rotating capability. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 to $500. They may cost more if they are convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.

The convenience features include the ability to be installed using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant from the seat. Installing and taking it off is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat should be light, with clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.


You should also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when not using it, and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good rule of thumb is to choose a seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate other features, such as crash testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on a car seat with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting an infant car seat because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats have thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms, such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that do not require rethreading.

The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact the comfort of your child, particularly in the event that you intend to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Certain models are smaller making it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or siblings' seats. While all models come with weight and height restrictions, some are lighter. This could save your biceps from aching when you move it from one place to another or between cars.

Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more versatile like rotating options or the ability to click into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with top-quality features like the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bars to offer extra safety in case of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required to ensure safety, but they can improve the overall experience.

Parents want their infants to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant as well as easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking new.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to rear and front collisions. infant car seat in front seat has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that tells you that it's attached correctly to the base. The adjustable harness tightener and carry handle provide easy one-handed adjustments.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, however the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features like load legs, anti-rebound bars and straps that do not rethread could increase the price of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby. Look for features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to dimensions and base weight because not all seats are suitable for every vehicle.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, will affect this. You should also consider whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to remove and install the seat.

Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or plan on changing cars frequently. Look for models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to ensure that your seat is set properly.

Other features that may be worth the extra cost include a headrest that increases with the growing baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks into the position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby is no longer using it is a nice benefit.

The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that address almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers gave it top marks all over the board. It's affixed for air travel and comes with an anti-rebound handle and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.