Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats meet federal safety standards, some are more than others. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will appreciate such as extra padding, a cushioned inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no rethreading.

We took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and prices when deciding on our top choices. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading.

Safety

Every infant car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps, and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a seat includes, the are more efficient.

The more user-friendly a car seat is and the more likely parents are to use it in a safe manner and decrease the chance of injuries to their child in a crash. This is particularly important for an infant seat, since it's designed for an extremely short time. Look for a model that's simple to install and has a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to help keep the seat level. Make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.

Some car seat manufacturers offer premium features, such as a strap that doesn't need to be rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and side grips that carry the seat. These are fantastic however, don't forget that a safe car seat just as secure as the vehicle you're driving in. Go through the owner's manual to learn how to secure your infant car seat uk's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When you are choosing an infant seat, remember that you'll only be able use it for a period of about two years before your child is ready to transition to an convertible seat. That's why some families opt to skip the infant car seat newborn insert seat and go straight to a convertible seat, which has greater height and weight limits. When purchasing an infant car seat, be sure you consider the dimensions of your car and test different models before settling. Then, you can make sure the seat is comfortable for your child, is a good fit in your car and includes handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's crucial to ensuring your child's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

If you're using the seat in one vehicle or transferring it between several, you'll need an infant car seat that is easy to install and detach from the base. You should look for clear installation instructions and a smooth mechanism. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your baby grows and the high-quality materials used.

A great feature that many infant seats include is a load leg, which serves as a brace between the seat's base and the vehicle floor to offer extra stability in the event of a crash. Consumer Reports research shows that it is particularly important if you are driving an older vehicle because the risk of sustaining a head injury is higher when the child is too close to the floor.

Other features that are premium and can enhance the infant car seat that swivels car seat user experience include a harness with no-rethread and an anti-rebound bar that can prevent the seat from bouncing back in a crash. The latter has been shown to reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium I highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was awarded an exemplary rating by child-passenger safety experts. It has a non-rethread adjustable harness that can be reclined in five positions, and an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with just a lapbelt and without the requirement for a base is another option. This is a great option for parents who plan to use Uber or taxi rides, as it eliminates the need to get back in the car each time to replace a seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for example, have a rigid LATCH built into the bottom of their seats, making them quick and easy to put in. It can also be used with a rear-facing (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. It's an excellent choice for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is in a car seat for extended periods of time, it's essential that they are comfortable. This means padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel cozy against their tummy or back and a growing headrest. Look for a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow as well.

While a seat with many special features may cost more, they're also often easier to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies, we consider factors such as a one-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and a no rethread harness. We also look at the weight and dimensions of the seat, since an extremely heavy or bulky seat can put stress on your biceps as you transport it into and out of your vehicle or between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg - a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seats by age seat in the event of a crash--is an additional option. This extra safety feature is usually found in expensive seats but there are some affordable models that come with it.

The weight and height limits are also important. You'll want to ensure the seat will remain suitable for your child once they reach their maximum growth rate, which is usually at around the age of two or three. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be converted into a toddler's car seat. This will allow you a little more flexibility in your vehicle and is ideal for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona which is a combination of the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one piece. It's a great choice for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school by public transport. It's also simple to put in. Our expert testers have praised its simplicity of use with the one-handed latching mechanism and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact, which is important for those with limited trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals which is a major benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's health and environment.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. The best infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easy for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important aspects to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it features a canopy, which can be handy both inside the car as well as attached to the stroller.

A feature on the base could save you lots of time and headaches. It shows you when it's been put in place correctly. This line is on the side of the base and should be parallel to the ground after you've completed. It's especially useful when you'll be switching the car seat often, or if you are planning to travel with your baby and you'll need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it easy to transport your sleeping bundle to the supermarket or to run around. You don't need to worry about an additional carrier. This could be a huge advantage for parents with newborns who want to get back to their normal routine after a long commute or outing with a baby.

If your baby is expected to grow quickly, select a car seat for infants that has a higher weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for longer.

All car seats sold in America must meet federal safety standards however that doesn't mean they are all created in the same way. Certain models have features that go beyond, like load legs that anchor the base of the car seat for added stability and anti-rebound bars to reduce the risk of head injury in crashes. A few additional features can make the journey more comfortable for your baby, and you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.