7 Simple Strategies To Completely Moving Your Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you would like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight limitation.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are attached to the car seat base and reduce movement during the event of a crash.

Safety

The infant car seats are designed to fit tiny babies best, and so they generally come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or attach to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will be required to transport your child's car seat out of the vehicle often. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last through your child's first year, which means you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as fast as convertible car seats can.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to making a purchase. Take a look at reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to share with families.

It is also important to consider whether the seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, like a one-handed strap release or a harness that doesn't need rethreads, or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These types of features can make buckling up your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the most secure seats can be a waste if you don't use them correctly.

The weight and the width of the car seat is also crucial. A lot of infant seats can be placed in your car alongside older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child and convert to an adult booster in the same time. Also, if you intend to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, an infant car seat that is installed using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good alternative.

In general, it is recommended to purchase the safest seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The ideal infant car seat is the one that will work well in the vehicle of your family, is easy to install and use, and has convenient extras like a built-in stroller or rotation ability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats can vary in price from about $180 to $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants the cost could be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should be light and clearly labeled with instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles and turn the seat around when it is not in use. It's also important to know the weight and height limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go above and beyond federal safety standards to incorporate additional features such as crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just crash protection. It also comes with legs that help stabilize the seat during an accident, reducing the force on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth spending more on a car seat with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing the right car seat for your infant, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones feature thick, breathable fabrics and generous padding in the harness and headrest. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort, especially if it is being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them more suited to be placed in the back seat alongside another car seat or other siblings seats. Although all have maximum and minimum heights and weight restrictions, some are lighter than others, which could help keep your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.

Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more versatile including rotational options or the ability to click into strollers without the need for additional adapters. Some models are equipped with top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide additional security in the event of a crash. These features aren't essential for safe riding, however they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also want a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their child.  best car seats newborn  that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are dishwasher safe, making it easier to keep them looking clean.

Certain models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have a safe and comfortable experience. For example, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar that is able to meet Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm), which is designed to withstand both front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as 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

The manufacturers of infant car seats design their products with safety and ease of use as their main goals. However, the broad variety of features can make it difficult to choose which one is right for your family. It is important to take into account 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, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. You might also consider features that help you get your child in and out of the seat, for example, rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base as not all seats are suitable for every car.

One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installation and detaching from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they are rigid or flexible. Also, you should be aware of whether the straps can be easily adjusted and tightened and if there is a single-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option when you plan to change cars or take taxis often. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help make sure that the seat is placed properly.

Certain features might be worth the extra cost like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature and a canopy that extends and is locked in the correct position. Our product testers have also observed that a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the baby is finished using it is an advantage.

Doona is an infant car seat that will delight parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats. This is the reason our test participants gave it top marks all over the range. For instance, it's certified for airplane travel, has a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into strollers (no need for separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.