The 3 Greatest Moments In Best Infant Car Seat History
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat What do you want from your seat? “If you need a car seat that can expand with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. It has a lengthy rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one. It also scores highly for comfort and quality with soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other useful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base of the car seat that limit movement in a crash. Safety They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will be required to transport your child's car seat out of the vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last for the first year of your child's life, so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as fast as a convertible car seat may. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent however it's recommended to conduct your own research before making a purchase. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families. Find features that will be useful to your family. This could include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These types of features can make buckling your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the most secure seats are useless if you don't use them in a proper manner. The weight and the width of the car seat are equally crucial. Many infant seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child and transition to a booster seat simultaneously. If you intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat which can be installed by using only your car's seatbelt will be a convenient choice. In general, you should purchase the safest seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. Beware of models that don't have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify. Convenience The best car seats for infants are those that can fit in the car of your family and are simple to install, and include useful features such as a built-in running stroller or the ability to rotate. It should also be affordable. Infant seats can range in price from about $180 to over $500. If they're convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher. The convenience features include the ability to be positioned with the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without having to remove the baby from the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat easily particularly if you move frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should also be light and have clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can swiftly get the car seat correctly installed. You must also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have easy access to buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, you need to determine its weight and height limits. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. In general, you should select the seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90 percentile. While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, a few manufacturers go beyond to include additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also has a load leg, which helps stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces the forces exerted on the body of the child by 40 percent. This alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for car seats that are safe and has additional safety features. Comfort The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting the right car seat for your infant, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of thick, breathable fabrics and ample padding for the harness and headrest. They have easy-to-use adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms which don't require rethreading. The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort, especially if it is going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are tinier which makes it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or even siblings seats. Although all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This could help keep your biceps from aching when you carry it between vehicles. Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more adaptable like rotating options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Other models have premium features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or anti-rebound bars for additional safety in the event of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential for a safe ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat. In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents want a clean, comfortable car seat for their infant. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, and also easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new. Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide™ Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and has an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. And, its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener make easy one-handed adjustments. Design Car seat manufacturers create infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the myriad of features available can make it difficult to decide what's best for your family. You'll want to consider factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve the comfort of babies. Look for features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats fit in every vehicle. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they are rigid or flexible. infant car seat that swivels Push Chairs And Prams should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat. Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which can be useful for those who plan to switch cars or take taxis frequently. To ensure that your seat is properly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism. Other features that may be worth the cost include a headrest that expands with the infant, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks into place. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster using belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is a nice benefit. Doona is an infant car seat that will delight parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks across the range. For example, it's approved for airplane travel, features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and can be converted directly into strollers (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.