15 Shocking Facts About Best Car Seat Infant That You've Never Heard Of
How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
The price of infant car seats can go through the gamut, depending on materials, styles and accessories. But you don't have to shell out a lot of money to find a high-quality car seat for infants.
Our product testers rated the best infant car seats in five key categories safety, ease of use, reliability, convenience and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The best infant car seats are rigorously tested for crash. They also have clear instructions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, like bubble levels and padded seats that provide adequate support for infants. We also found it helpful when a chair has simple adjustments that don't require the baby out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or that utilize hooks and clips that allow for quick adjustments. Parents are more likely to keep properly fitting harnesses if the process is easy and fast.
A seat that's machine washable is a great feature We looked for models that allow for the seat to be positioned with the base, reducing the possibility of a lost or damaged buckle during washing. If you plan to use your car seat often, especially on public transport, you should consider investing in a model with self-retracting belts and a recline feature. This will help ease the pressure on your spine.
Choosing an infant car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we suggest taking the time to research thoroughly prior to purchasing. Read reviews from customers as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. It's an excellent idea to visit the website of the manufacturer and look over recall notices prior to you purchase a car seat.
A car seat for infants is a small, movable car seat specifically designed for newborns and babies until their first birthday. They are typically used rear-facing. The majority of infants outgrow their car seat by the time they reach the age of one or in the case of convertible or all-in one car seats, are transitioned to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used with the rear facing side until the child is at the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they should be switched over to a car seat that is facing forward. A convertible or all-in one car seat can be used both ways, but it's safer for your baby to be in a rear-facing car seat until they're large enough to fit in an front-facing car seat.
Ease of Use
It's important to choose the right car seat that is easy to use for parents and children, even though safety is the primary factor. We test the buckles, handles, and harness adjustments and also its ease of fitting into the vehicle. If a car-seat is difficult to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could impact the safety of your child.
Consider scheduling
good infant car seats Pushchairs And Prams with a certified child safety technician (CPST), before 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 also show you a video of a crash test. Make sure to read the instruction manual that comes with the car seat, as this can assist you in avoiding common mistakes during installation.
Infant car seats aren't convertible, and they can only be used until your child has outgrown it or reaches the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer. This is why it's a good idea to pick one that can be used for the longest time possible prior to switching your little one into a big kid car seat.
Some infant car seats can even convert into a stroller, which will provide more value for your buck. It's important to remember that seats that can double as a stroller weigh more than those that work only as an infant car.
Another thing to consider is how wide your infant car seat is, which can affect the ease of it to fit into your car and whether it's compatible with other seats you might have in the back row. You'll also want to take into consideration how heavy it is, since a lighter seat can be more easy to lift into and out of the car. This is particularly important if you intend to use the infant seat frequently and transport it between vehicles. In our best infant car seats review, we recommend models that are narrower and lighter.
Reliability
Your child's safety is the most important concern. And while every car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards, some surpass. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance comes with two-stage body support that keeps infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it an excellent score in the crash test.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that even the most secure infant car seat is only as reliable as the way it's put in place and used. Incorrectly installed or improperly used car seats pose a serious security risk for infants and children of all ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton suggests studying the manual of the manufacturer and searching for installation videos online. "You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned about ensuring that you have the correct car seat for your baby," she says.
The best infant car seats are easy to install and use. They come with features like a one-handed buckle release, magnetic strap holders which do not snag clothing, and a non need to rethread the harness. These seats are constructed of sturdy materials and have various adjustment mechanisms that function smoothly.
Another aspect to look out for is whether an infant car seat has a base that can be used without a vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This is helpful for parents who regularly use taxis or are using their seat in several vehicles.
Also, you should consider how the infant car seat weighs and if you can easily carry it around. Certain models weigh more than others, and can put a strain on your shoulders and arms especially if you're carrying other children or traveling long distances.
In the end, a car seat with a lower price tag will save you money and time. Don't purchase a cheap car seat simply because it's cheap. A price that is low could suggest that the manufacturer shirked on the quality of the material or safety features. It's always a good idea to look through reviews and seek suggestions from other parents prior to making your final purchase.
Convenience
The best car seats for infants make it simple to ensure your baby's safety. They are simple to install and feature features that make buckling and unbuckling simpler and come with other convenience amenities such as comfortable fabrics and a no-rethread harness. The car seats also come with design features which make them more secure in the event of a crash. For instance they have load legs which are shock-absorbing parts on the base of the seat. This makes it easier to move and consequently the force of impact on your child.
Find a compact and slim infant car seat if you have a smaller car or plan to switch vehicles often. This type of seat can easily fit in narrower vehicles, and many of them come with a distinctive handle that makes them easy to tote. They are usually lighter than convertible car seats, making them easier to lift to and out of a vehicle.
The car seat for infants converts into a baby stroller without needing an additional attachment. This is a huge advantage for families who are always on the go, or those who reside in cities where public transportation is more frequent. It's a little bigger than a traditional car seat for an infant but not as big as a convertible car seat.
The top-rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our testers liked it for its no-rethread harness and buckle holders with magnetic buckles that make it quick to get the baby in and out. It has many features that make it easy to use, including the recline that is operated by a button with four positions and steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that can be removed from the base after being secured.
The choice of the right infant car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make as a new parent. It's important to do research and read reviews prior to making a decision. You want to ensure that the car seat you choose is made with safety of your child in mind, and also that it conforms to the standards set by the national safety council.