How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant
Infant car seats are available in a variety of prices, based on the type of material, style, and accessories. It's not necessary to spend a lot on the best infant car seat.
Our product testers have rated the top-performing infant car seats in five main categories Safety accessibility, user-friendliness and reliability, convenience, and adjustability.
Safety Ratings
The most effective infant car seat is rigorously crash tested. They also come with clear instructions and features that help install the seat correctly, including bubble levels and padded seats that provide adequate support for babies. We also loved seats that were simple to adjust and didn't require the infant to be removed from the car. Parents are more likely to maintain properly fitting harnesses if the process is simple and fast.
We searched for seats that are machine washable, and models that can be installed with the base to decrease the risk of a buckle getting dropped or loosened during washing. If you'll be using your car seat frequently especially on public transportation, it may be worth spending more for a model that has self-retracting straps and a recline mechanism to ease the stress on your back.
It is important to conduct thorough research before you make a purchase. Check out reviews from consumers and child safety advocacy organizations. Before you buy car seats it's a good idea also 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 up to the first birthday. They are usually used rear-facing. Most infants outgrow their car seats 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 seats should be used with the rear facing side until your child reaches the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. After that, they need to be changed to the car seat that faces forward. The convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is more secure for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they are old enough to be able to move forward.
Easy 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 aspect. We test the car seat's buckles, handles, and harness adjustments in addition to its ability to be installed into the vehicle. If a car-seat is difficult to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could compromise the safety of your child.
Take baby seat at meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST), before you take your baby home if you're concerned about the correct installation of your infant car seat. They will show you how to use the seat and give you a video of a crash test. Don't forget to read your car seat's instruction manual. This will aid you in avoiding common mistakes when installing the seat.
In contrast to convertible car seats that are suitable for older children and toddlers, infant car seats only last until your child outgrows them or reaches the highest weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. It's important to choose a seat for your child that will last as long as it can, before switching them into an adult car seat that is suitable for older children.
Some infant car seats are convertible into strollers, meaning you'll get more value for your budget. However, it is important to keep in mind that any seat that is able to be converted into a stroller will be heavier than the ones that only function as an infant car seat.
A large infant car seat will help you fit it into your car and could be compatible with other rear-facing seats. You should also consider how heavy it is, as lighter seats are easier to lift into and out of the car. This is particularly important if you intend to use the infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. For these reasons, we prefer narrower, lightweight models in our best infant car seat review.
Reliability
Your child's safety is your most important concern. While all car seats must meet federal safety standards, there are some that go beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example is two-stage body support which helps keep babies cozy and comfortable and is compatible with many popular strollers. It also scored a top crash test score from Consumer Reports.
Be aware that even the most reliable infant car seat will only be as secure as how it is installed and used. Poorly installed or misused car seats are a major danger to children and infants of all age groups. Vybiralova Stanton suggests that you read the manual of the car seat manufacturer and search for videos of installation online. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure you have the right seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.
The best car seats for infants are easy to install and use. They have features like a single-handed buckle release and magnetic strap holders that do not snag clothing, and a no harness that can be rethread. The seats are made of strong materials and feature several adjustment mechanisms that function seamlessly.
A base that can be used in conjunction with or without the vehicle's LATCH system or shoulder belt is another option to think about. This is a great option for parents who frequently take taxis or will be using their seats in multiple vehicles.
Finally, it's worth considering how much the car seat for infants weighs and whether you are able to easily carry it around. Certain models are heavier than others and could burden your shoulders and arms, especially if you have other kids to haul around or are traveling for long distances.
In the end, a cheaper car seat for babies can save you money and time. However, you shouldn't be enticed to purchase one simply because it's cheap. A price that is low could mean that the manufacturer has made a mistake on safety features or material quality. It's always recommended to review reviews and get recommendations from other parents prior to making a purchase.
Convenience
The most effective infant car seats make it simple to keep your baby secure. This means that they are simple to install, have features that make buckling up and unbuckling much easier, and come with other features that make it easier to use, such as comfortable fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. They also have design features which make them safer in a crash. For instance, they feature load legs that absorb shock. They are components that sit on the bottom of the seat. This makes it easier to move and thus the impact force on your baby.
If you're driving a smaller car, or you plan to switch between multiple vehicles often, look for an infant car seat that is slim and compact. This kind of seat is able to fit into narrower vehicles, and many of them come with a distinctive handle that makes it easy to tote. These seats are typically lighter than convertible car seats and are therefore easy to lift to and out of a vehicle.
Another great feature of this infant car seat is that it can be converted into a stroller without the necessity of an additional attachment. This is ideal for families who are always moving around or living in cities that have public transportation. It is a little more bulky than a traditional infant car seat, but it's not as big as the convertible model.
It is easy to use and our testers were impressed by its magnetic buckle holders and no-rethread harness, which makes it incredibly easy to get the baby out and in. It also has a lot of features that make it more convenient, like a button-operated four-position recline and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out from the base and turn green once secure.
Selecting the best infant car seat is among the most crucial decisions you'll make as the new parent. It is essential to research and read reviews before making a decision. You want to make sure that the car seat you select is designed with your child's safety in mind and that it meets all national safety standards.