How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
The options available when it comes to selecting a car seat for infants can be overwhelming. However, there are a few things to look out for to help narrow your choices.
The premium features like load legs, a super-easy harness to tighten, and an extendable headrest that grows with your baby can make your experience on this parenting journey easier.
Easy of Use
When you are buying an infant car seat be sure to consider the weight and height limits. It is important to ensure that the seat will last your child until they grow out of it, which typically happens around the age of 2. It is also important to think about whether you’d like a car seat that can go all the way to the 90th percentile for weight or height, or one that’s a bit smaller or higher. This will help you determine how you’ll need the seat for before you decide to upgrade to a convertible car seat.
It is also important to consider how it is easy to set up and use the seat. The ease of loosening or tightening straps, latch connectors and the number of buckle positions have an impact on user-friendliness. Take into consideration the comfort of head and body pads, as well as any other extra features like the cupholder or hideaway harness pad.
The more user-friendly the seat is, you are more likely to use it properly. This can affect the safety of your baby. Seats that are simple to set up and remove from the base with a minimum of effort are the easiest.
The weight of the car seat and its portability are also important aspects to think about. You want to be able to lift it up with a baby inside, and transport it with ease, particularly in case you’re taking longer trips. It is also important to look at the dimensions in terms of width and height to make sure it’s appropriate for your vehicle. If you plan on using it with a stroller, search for a model that is compatible with many strollers.
You should also look closely at the results of the tests conducted by the manufacturer. You should be able locate them on the website of the car seat or by using an online search. You can find out whether the seat has a history of protecting babies from injuries in crashes and also what their policy is for replacement.
Safety
The most important consideration for parents who are shopping for an infant car seat is whether the product will protect their child. All infant car seats have to conform to safety standards set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Opens in a New Window which include rigorous crash tests and the five-point harness system.
There are additional factors to consider when purchasing an infant car seat. First, it is essential to choose the right infant car seat for your baby according to their weight and height, and the kind of vehicle you drive. Also, it is crucial to ensure that the seat is installed correctly, as improperly installed car seats may increase the chance of injury during a crash.
A safe infant car seat will come with clear installation guides, a bubble level indicator that is easy to read and the locking clip, which stops the base from being accidentally removed. It should be light, and have features that are convenient such as an extended strap that is not rethread, anti-rebound bar, and a premium leg that protects your baby’s head in case of an accident.
Some parents may be interested in an infant car seat that can be made a toddler seat by pulling an lever on the base. This will give them more versatility and allow their child to use the seat until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limit.
You should also consider how easy the car seat newborn insert seat can be used on a regular basis. The straps must be easy to tighten and loosen, and the buckle should be easy to click in and out of place. The carrier should be lightweight and easy to carry even when empty. The base must be easy to remove without any hassle.
It is also a good idea prior to buying a car seat, to check if there are any recalls. You can do this by visiting the NHTSA Opens in New Window website, which includes a searchable database that lists the current and previous car seat recalls.
Comfort
Parents are most concerned about the comfort of their the infant car seat. These rear-facing car seats have been created to protect your baby in the case of an accident. They typically come with integrated back and head support to ensure they are at a comfortable level. Look for seats that can be adjusted to fit your growing child. It will come with features like harnesses that do not need to be rethread magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder straps.
Installation and use that is simple is another feature that can either ruin or improve an infant car seat. Ideally, you should be able detach the seat from its base using one hand while securing your baby in the other. Once you’re ready, the seat should snap into position in less than one second.
Many infant car seats are suitable to use without a base. This is great for parents who often switch between vehicles or taxis. If you opt for the seat with this feature make sure you check the weight and height limits to make sure your child isn’t too big for it. Car seats also typically come with an infant insert that can be used when your baby car seat is tiny (like in the first few weeks or months of life), until their shoulders are at the lowest harness slot.
Convertible models are the ideal option for an infant car seat. They are convenient and provide safety. These seats are designed to be used in conjunction with strollers and come with the ability to tuck in when not in use. They’re however generally larger than standard infant car seat for travel car seats and can be more difficult to tote around.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat has a load leg or brace that sits between the seat and the floor to give you extra stability. They aren’t necessary but they can be very useful in smaller vehicles or those with multiple car seat.
Convenience
You can travel with confidence, knowing that your baby is safe and secure. Consider features like padded shoulder straps and extra padding around the neck to ensure that your baby is comfortable. Also look for a variety of recline positions. You might also want to look into a car seat that has additional features, like UPF 50+ sun protection and a canopy that zips open fully that gives your baby the protection they require.
Think about the ease of use and installation of the seat when it comes to convenience. You’ll likely need to install the seat using the LATCH system as well as the belt of your vehicle, so find an option that makes this as simple as it can be.
The Nuna Pipa is our top choice as the best infant car seat. It’s a simple installation process thanks to the steel-reinforced connectors at the base that pop out and flash green when properly connected. This feature, along with recline angle guides and colored belt-oath indicators make it a standout model among portable infant car seat car seats due to its ease of use.
The seat is also compact and light, making it a great option for parents who need to travel with their infant or will be switching between multiple vehicles frequently. It also comes with a no-rethread harness and magnetic buckle holders that allow you to clip the harness with one hand.
The seat is a little narrower than other seats on the market and fits newborns better. The additional padding in the chest area and shoulder area adds comfort. The seat is more expensive than others, however we believe that the top features such as the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth it.
Car seats for infants are a big purchase, but with the right information and the right considerations, you can narrow down your options to a few models that best fit your family’s requirements. You can then concentrate on the most important thing – getting ready for the arrival of your baby!