Choosing infant car seats that swivel for infants conform to federal safety guidelines and come with clear, labeled installation guides. It's also helpful to consult this handy chart Opens in a new window that helps determine if your child is in need of a forward-facing or rear-facing car seat.
Find accessories that are useful such as load legs. These reduce movement during a crash. Also, think about whether you'll want a convertible car seat that can be converted into a stroller.
Easy of Use
The choice of a car seat for infants is essential since it's the only one you'll have for your child's first year of life. Consider safety guidelines from organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can also rely upon resources like Consumer Reports and advice from other parents.
In addition to examining the NHTSA ratings and vehicle fit information for your infant car seat, you should make sure it's simple to put together and install and that it's easy to move in and out, that the padding is comfortable and it comes with useful features. Some of the best car seats for infants have self-checking features, which show you an indicator in color or bubble to let you see whether you have installed the seat correctly. This is a great feature for tired parents.
It is also important to be aware of the dimensions of the seat as well as weight limits. If you want to be able to use the seat for a longer time, choose a car seat that can go all the way to the 90th percentile of height and weight. It's hard to tell what your child's preference is until you've tried it but you can look for thick padding and soft materials that feel comfortable against their skin.
If you're not sure how to narrow your options, a certified child safety specialist can help you understand more about which types of seats and installation methods work best for your vehicle. They can also give you advice on the right fitting and comfort for your baby as well as assist you in understanding the policies regarding crashes of each brand.
Safety
There are many factors that can make a baby car seat more or less safe. Selecting the right car seat for your child starts by ensuring that it meets the weight and height requirements of the manufacturer and your vehicle's. You should also consult the manual for your car on how to install the seat using lower anchors and tethers (or seat belt, for older cars without LATCH). The next step is to examine special features such as load legs or anti-rebound bars which reduce the force of collisions. You'll also want to consider whether you can afford to live with convertible car seats which will eventually turn into a toddler seat.
When it comes to safety the most important aspect is that your baby's seat is installed correctly. Before installing a car seat, it's important to review the user manual or view online videos on installation. Even if you believe your car seat is correctly installed, it's a good idea for a trained professional to examine it.
The easiest way to make a car seat more secure is to make it easier to use. Seats that are easy to use are more likely to be correctly used. Look for features such as handles that hold the straps and sensor-equipped buckles.
In the same way, ensure you buy car seats from a trusted store or site. It's not safe to buy seats from a variety of sellers or from sites that ship directly from China. In addition, you should avoid used car seats, since they might be expired or have been in an accident.
The comfort factor is also a crucial factor, as the car ride can be stressful for a baby. Find a seat that has plush fabrics, straps that are cushioned and is comfortable on the shoulders and neck. You should also take into consideration the weight of the chair. You want to be able lift and carry it with ease, especially if it will be used for a long period of time.
Comfort
A quality car seat isn't just a thing that safeguards your child, it should also be comfortable for your infant. Look for features like thick padding and harnesses that are easily adjusted and ventilation holes that keep your baby cool. The factors that determine comfort can be subjective, so it's important to read reviews online and try out the seat before purchasing.
Weight is a different factor to consider. All infant car seats sold conform to the safety standards of the federal government. However, some are lighter. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the car seat in multiple vehicles or even attach it to a stroller frame. Nuna Pipa Aire RX, for instance is the lightest convertible car seat available on the market. It weighs only 6.2 pounds (without the base or canopy). It's recently been replaced in the brand's lineup by a slightly less expensive, yet still secure Pipa Lite Aire.
The seat is narrower than other models, which is good for most vehicles however it could be a problem when you have an extremely small trunk or a car with limited space in the back seat. The shoulder straps aren't adjustable in height and the belt guides do not have enough padding to prevent friction from your baby's shoulders.
Overall, the seat accommodates the majority of newborns comfortably and is simple to put in. It has a higher rear-facing capacity than other seats and is easy to switch between reclining positions. It's priced at the middle of the range for a baby car seat however it has a good reputation for quality and comes with two cup holders.
Selecting a car seat for infants can be overwhelming because there are so many choices. You don't need to be intimidated by the choices if you do some research before you purchase. Consider the fit of your vehicle as well as safety and comfort features, as well as price. By taking these factors into consideration you'll be able find the right car seat for your little one and rest assured that it's safe. No matter how good the car seat, it's not as safe when you don't install it correctly.
Easy Installation
Car seats are incredibly important safety devices, and they need to be installed correctly in order to keep your baby secure. We consider how easy it is to install the right car seat for your baby. Many of the best infant carseats have self-checking features like colored or bubble indicators that tell you whether the car seat is securely installed, saving the risk of making dangerous mistakes. Some models have self-checking functions at the base. This can be especially useful if you switch the seat frequently between cars.
In addition to being easy to install and removal, the most comfortable infant car seats also make it easier to adjust or loosen the straps of the harness without the assistance of a tool or the manual. This feature is particularly useful for preemies or newborns who require a secure harness to provide adequate support. A simple tightening system is crucial to avoid frustration if you have a child who isn't cooperative and need to fasten the seat quickly.
The best infant car seats make it easy to lug around, and we adore models that don't feel overly heavy when a child is in them. It can be difficult to carry a car seat too heavy, which could cause arm and back pain. Select the right seat within your weight range.
We also take into account the weight and the width of the base as well as the seat, because it's not necessary to buy a seat too big for your car or one that will require a lot of juggling in order to get it out and into. We prefer seats that are smaller and can fit into two or three rows. They also tend to be less likely than larger seats to rub against each other.
Our favorite model in this category is the Chicco KeyFit line, which was praised by a variety of experts and parents we interviewed, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy. The KeyFit line includes features that make it simple to install, like a spring-loaded recline foot and a bubble indicator on the base to ensure to ensure that it is level. Healy praises the tightening mechanism, which utilizes the SuperCinch belt-tightening mechanism to make it easier for the seat to stay in place.