How to Choose the best car seat for newborn Infant Car Seat
What do you want from your seat? “If you want a car seat to grow with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton advises. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight limitation.
The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is a plus. Other helpful features include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that help to 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 get out of the car or set on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is vital since you’ll likely have to transport your child in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means that you don’t have to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.
It is a good idea to do some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing information to share with families.
Find features that will be useful to your family. These include a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features can make buckling up your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the safest seats can be a waste when you don’t use them in a proper manner.
Other things to keep in mind are the size and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle, while others can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat at the same time. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat which can be installed by using only your vehicle’s seatbelt is a good option.
In general, you should buy the most safe seat you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. For instance, it’s best to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are those that fit in the car of your family They are also easy to install and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range in price from around $180 to over $500. They may cost more when they’re convertible and used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include the ability to be fitted using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Additionally, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without having to remove the baby from the seat. You need to be able to put in and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.
It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness and turn the seat around when it is not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, be sure to determine its weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. In general, you should select a seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90% percentile.
While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. That feature alone could save a child’s life, so it’s worth paying more for a car seat that is secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
Comfort is a major factor to consider 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 have large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding in the harness and headrest. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don’t require rethreading.
The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, especially when you are planning to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back of the car with a car seat or your siblings seats. While all models come with height and weight restrictions certain models are lighter. This can save you from sore biceps when you carry it between cars.
Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more adaptable including rotational options or the capability to convert into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn’t rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren’t required for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience.
Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Find a seat that’s machine washable and stain-resistant, as well as easy to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking fresh.
Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers’ experience is safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby Safe & Stylish Baby Car Seats for Every Family (published on Pushchairsandprams) and quiet, as well as an indicator that informs you when it’s properly attached to the base. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle allow for simple one-handed adjustments.
Design
The manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and comfort as their primary objectives. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. You’ll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotational mechanisms. Also, be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats can be used in all cars.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that’s important. This is influenced by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they’re rigid or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which is a great option if you take taxis often or if you are planning on switching cars often. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a integrated locking mechanism.
Other features worth the extra cost include a headrest that expands with the growing baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers also said the fact that a seat can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster when the baby has completed using it is an additional bonus.
Doona is a newborn car seat seat for infants that will pamper parents. It’s loaded with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants have rated it as top in all categories. For instance, it’s certified for use on planes, and features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and transforms directly into a stroller (no need to buy a separate stroller adapters). The crash test results are impressive and it’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified.