How to Choose infant car seats best - he said -

Parents must have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat better than the other?

A special infant seat fits the most tiny babies, and is lighter to facilitate transport outside the vehicle. Look for convenience extras like premium lower anchor connectors, harnesses with no-rethread pads, and one button handles. Also, look into safety features like load legs and body/head cushions.

Safety

As any parent knows, choosing the right car seat is among the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The best car seats for newborns seat will ensure that your child is positioned properly and is adequately protected in the event in the event of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all car seats are created equal. Some seats have features designed to safeguard infants. For instance load legs can reduce movement in crashes, by absorbing impact forces on the base and car seat. Some include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby.

Car seats for infants are also designed to fit tiny babies best and often come with extra crash-tested inserts to aid in this, says Choi. They are also lighter than convertible car seat and can easily be converted into a stroller. This makes them ideal for ride-shares, daycare drop-offs, and pickups. You can purchase an used one for less than the cost, since they only last for your baby's first 12 months.

Another factor to be aware of is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and great crash test results are important, the way you use your car seat is even more critical to your child's safety. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital found that 95% parents made a mistake at least once when installing or altering their car seat.

That's why it's a good idea to take a few moments to learn the proper car seat usage guidelines before your baby arrives. We suggest you look for car seats that have clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be able to carry your child in it and has simple adjustments.

Make sure that the infant car seat that you're considering fits your requirements of the vehicle's size. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat for newborn seat properly yourself, you might be able to bring it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born for a hands-on demonstration.

Convenience

Some infant car seats come with additional features that make them easier to use. For example, they may come with a base that the seat clicks into and out of, or they could have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to attach and remove the car seat, particularly when you have other children to take care of.

The weight and height limits of a car seat for infants are also important factors to take into account. If you have a baby who is growing rapidly it might be worth the cost to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you utilize it for as long as is possible.

In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat should also be comfortable. Find padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and for soft fabrics that feel comfortable under them. It's also recommended to choose an infant seat that has an option to lie flat, which allows your newborn car seat to ride in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high.

There are a number of accessories available for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura warns against buying any item that isn't included in the seat because it is not tested in a crash and may be unsafe. Avoid purchasing a used car seats for infants as they could have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn.

While the best infant car seats cost anywhere from $100 to $600, there are a few features that the top choices have in common. All are lightweight baby car seat easy to put in and take down, and are comfortable for the baby. Some even come with special features that make them more flexible such as the ability to rotate and clip into strollers, without the need for additional adapters. Check out our review of the top infant car seats for more information on the various options on the market.

Comfort

The top infant car seats on sale car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get your baby in and out of the seat. The top infant car seats have one-handed clasps which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at once. They also come with cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. You'll also want to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a seat that is lighter is preferable. The Baby Trend Secure-Lift is a good example. It weighs less than 13 pounds.

The height and weight limit of infant car seats are also important. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a long time choose one that will grow with your baby and will allow them to transition into toddlerhood. You can use it longer and save money by not purchasing an additional seat.

It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's wider or larger than other models. The former can be a boon for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter is a benefit for families with two children in back-to-back car seats or need to drive with three kids in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you are planning to use the car seat in conjunction with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats and is compatible with a wide range of strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that will meet your needs.

Check the rating of a car seat to determine its ease of use. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding, that indicate whether the seat is securely fastened and level, can ease stress for parents who are new. Some seats also have unique features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing pieces located beneath the seat or at the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the impact force of a crash.

There are also some accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and ease of use, but remember that any accessory not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn't yet been tested or vetted for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't place anything in your car seat, including the blanket or harness you bought elsewhere.

Style

It can be a challenge for parents with young children to determine the best infant car seats. It's important to know the budget you have set and the features you want. There are plenty of different options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics, but it all is based on what's comfortable for babies.

It is important to know that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and are only suitable until the age of one year. Some include extension kits that have been tested for safety which can help them last longer. They typically offer more recline modes to allow for the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which can be helpful for new parents who are trying to save time and money by purchasing one seat that will do double duty.

Another important thing to remember is that car seat size and weight are key factors for most families. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back seat of your vehicle or for use alongside siblings seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps as you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.

Many parents opt for an the infant car seat that can be transformed from base to carrier, and then transform into a stroller without any additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're running errands your children.

Other features that are useful include the magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Find a head-and-body-support insert to prevent infants from settling into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep.

Some car seats feature rigid latches that open from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount a seat can move during a crash.