Choosing the Best Car Seats Infant
The most effective infant car seats meet federal safety standards and come with clear installation instructions. It's also helpful to look over this helpful chart. It opens in an entirely new window that can help determine if your child is in need of a rear-facing or forward-facing seat.
Find additional features that are convenient such as load legs. They help to reduce movement in an accident. Consider if you'd like a convertible stroller or car seat.
Easy of Use
Selecting a car seat for your infant is important because it will be the only one you'll have during the first year of life. It's important to consider safety guidelines from organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You should also rely on resources like Consumer Reports as well as suggestions from other parents.
Aside from checking car seat for newborn and vehicle fit information, look for an infant car seat that's easy to install and assemble and is easy to get your baby in and out of, comfortable padding, and has convenient features. Some of the top car seats for babies have self-checking mechanisms, which give you an indicator in color or bubble to let you know whether you have installed it correctly. This is a great feature for tired parents.
Also, you should consider the size and weight of the seat. If you wish to to use the seat for a longer time, choose a car seat that is up to the 90th percentile in height and weight. It's hard to know what your child would prefer until you try it out, but you can look for thick padding and soft materials that feel comfortable against their skin.
If you're unsure of what to do to narrow your options, it's a great idea to speak with a certified child safety technician to find out more about the various types of seats and installation methods that work best for your specific vehicle. They can also provide guidance on the right size and comfort for your child as well as help you understand the policies regarding crashes of each brand.
Safety
While every car seat available on the market must adhere to federal safety standards There are a myriad of factors that can make one infant car seat more or less safe than the other. The first step to choose the right car seat for your child is to ensure that it meets your vehicle's and the manufacturer's requirements. Refer to the owner's manual for your car for instructions on how to install a seat with lower anchors and tethers. (Or a seat belt in older cars that does not have LATCH). The next step is to consider specific features such as load legs or anti-rebound bars that help reduce the force of a crash. You should also consider whether you can afford to live with convertible car seats which will eventually turn into a toddler's seat.
When it comes to safety the most important aspect is that your baby's seat is installed correctly. Before installing a car seat, you need to review the user manual or watch online installation videos. Even if you believe your car seat is properly installed, it's a good idea to get a professional check it.
Car seats that are easy to use are safer. A seat that is easy to use will be more likely to be used correctly, so check for easy-to-read instructions and convenient features such as handles that hold the straps or sensor-equipped buckles that notify you when your child hasn't sat down.
In the same way, ensure you buy a car seat only from a trusted website or store. It's not a good idea to purchase seats from a variety of sellers or from sites that ship directly from China. In addition, you should avoid used car seats since they could be old or may have been involved in an accident.
A car ride can be stressful, particularly for babies. Look for a seat with soft fabric and straps that feel comfortable on the neck and shoulders. Also, you should think about the weight of the seatyou need to be able to lift it and carry it without hurting yourself, especially if you intend to use it for extended periods of time.
Comfort
A high-quality car seat is not just there to protect your baby but also be comfortable for a newborn. Look for features such as thick padding and harnesses that are easily adjusted and ventilation holes that will keep your baby cool. It is important to read reviews on the internet and try the seat before buying.
Another aspect to consider is the weight. While all infant car seats available on the market comply with federal safety standards, some are lighter than others. This is crucial when you plan to use the seat in more than one vehicle or attach it to stroller frames. For example the Nuna Pipa Aire RX is the most lightweight convertible infant car seat on the market at 6.2 pounds without the canopy and base. Recently, the Pipa Lite Aire, a slightly cheaper yet nevertheless safe car seat, was added to the product line.
The seat is narrower than other models, which is good for most vehicles, but can be a problem if have the trunk is small or a vehicle with limited space in the back. The seat also lacks an adjustment for the height of the shoulder straps and the belt guides aren't padded enough to prevent friction against the shoulders of your baby.
Overall, the seat accommodates most newborns comfortably and is simple to put in. It has a higher limit of rear-facing than other seats, and is easy to switch between the reclined positions. It is priced in the middle for a baby seat, but has a good reputation for its quality. It also has two cup holders.
There are many choices when it comes to choosing an infant car seat. You don't need to be overwhelmed by the options available if you research before you purchase. Take into consideration the car's fit as well as the safety and comfort features, as well as price. When you take these aspects into consideration, you'll be able to find the perfect car seat for your child and rest assured that it's secure. Remember, regardless of how well-made the car seat is it's not going to be as safe if it's not fitted correctly.
Easy Installation
Installing car seats correctly is vital to keep your baby secure. That's why ease of installation is one of the primary considerations when choosing the right car seat for your infant. Many of the best baby car seats have self-checking indicators. These include bubbles, or colored indicators that tell you whether the seat has been installed correctly. This will help to avoid making mistakes that could be dangerous. There are even self-checking functions on the base, which can be especially useful in the event that you often swap the car seat between vehicles.
The best infant car seats allow you to adjust or loosen the harness straps, without the necessity of an instrument or manual. This feature is particularly useful for babies and infants who require a secure harness to give them the sufficient support. A simple tightening system is essential to avoid frustration if you have a child who isn't cooperative and you need to secure the seat quickly.
The best infant car seats are lightweight and easy to carry around. We love models that do not feel heavy when a child is in them. Lugging a car seat that's too heavy will strain your arms and back, so it's best to pick a seat that has a weight range that feels doable for you.
We also take into consideration the width and weight of the base and the seat itself, as you don't want to purchase a seat that's too large for your vehicle or require some significant juggling to get in and out. In general, we prefer narrower seats that fit into two or three rows of cars and are less likely to get caught up against other carseats.
Chicco KeyFit is our favorite model in this category. It received high ratings from both experts and parents, including CPST teacher Kecia Healy. The KeyFit line has features that make it easy to set up, such as the recline foot that is spring-loaded and a bubble indicator on the base to ensure you ensure it is level. Healy praises the tightening mechanism that makes use of the SuperCinch belt-tightening to allow the seat to be secured in the right place.