How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your seat? "If you're looking for a car seat to develop 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 restriction.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is an added benefit. Other features that are helpful include load legs that absorb shock on the base or in the car seat that reduce the impact of a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, so they have more padding than convertible car seats. 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 seat outside of your vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being designed to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them exceeding their height or weight limits in the same way that the convertible car seat might.

It's a good idea, however, to conduct some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for newborn car seat insert seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents and reading car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. This could 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 your baby quicker and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest of seats are useless if you don't use them properly.

Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. Many infant seats are designed to be small enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child, and move to an adult seat while you're at it. If you intend to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be fitted using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a convenient option.

In general it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, because the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. Beware of models that don't include side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family, are easy to install and include useful features such as a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should be reasonably priced. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. If they're convertible and are intended for both infants and toddlers the cost could be higher.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be positioned using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without removing the baby from the seat. Installing and removing the seat is not difficult, particularly when your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the buckles and harness and rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and then consider whether your baby will outgrow it before its first birthday. It is generally recommended to select a car seat for your child that will grow with them until they reach the 90% percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just crash protection. It also comes with a load leg, which can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important factors when selecting an cheap infant car seats car seat is comfort, since babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats are made of thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of the car seat for infants can also impact comfort particularly if it's being used in multiple vehicles or for frequent travel. Some models are tinier which makes it easier to fit in the back seat with other car seats or siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum heights and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats have extra features to allow them to be more flexible. For example, they can rotate or be converted into a stroller, without the need for additional adapters. Other models include high-end features like an adjustable harness with no-rethread straps or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional safety in the event of an accident. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can improve the overall experience.

Parents want their babies to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers get the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to stand up to rear and front collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and also an indicator that lets you know that the seat is securely attached. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle provide simple one-handed adjustments.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to decide which is best infant seat for your family. Take into consideration factors such as the weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost, but they can also improve the comfort of your baby. Look for features that make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, for example rotating mechanisms. Also, pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installing and disconnecting from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, could affect this. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.

Some models allow you to use the seat without a base, which can be convenient if you take taxis often or plan on switching cars often. To ensure that your seat is correctly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators and a built-in locking mechanisms.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the growing baby as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks into place. Our product testers also noted the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby has completed using it is an added benefit.

Doona is a car seat for infants that will spoil parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our product testers scored it highly across all categories. It's approved for travel on air and has an anti-rebound handle, and is able to be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.