Phillip Coppin

How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant

Car seats for infants are offered in a wide range of prices, depending on the materials, styles and accessories. It's not necessary to spend a lot on an infant car seat that is of Nania Easyfix High Back Booster Seat - France-made quality.

Our product testers rated the top-performing infant car seats across five main categories: safety, ease of use, reliability, convenience and adjustability.

Safety Ratings

The best infant car seat is rigorously crash tested. They also come with clear directions and features that make it easy to install the seat correctly, like bubble levels and padded seating that provides good support for babies. We also enjoyed seats that were simple to adjust, and didn't require the infant to be removed from the car. If the process is fast and simple, parents will be more likely maintain properly fitted harnesses.

We looked for seats that are machine washable and models that could be used with the base to decrease the chance of a buckle being dropped or loosened during washing. If you'll be using your car seat a lot, and particularly on public transport it might be worth it to invest in an auto-retracting straps and a recline mechanism to ease the strain on your back.

The choice of a baby car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we suggest taking the time to research thoroughly prior to purchasing. Read reviews from customers as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. Before you buy an automobile seat, it's a good idea also to check the website of the manufacturer and look up any recalls.

A car seat for infants is a small, lightweight car seat that is designed for infants and babies up to their first birthday. They are usually used rear-facing. Most infants outgrow the car seat they were in before they turn one. In the case of convertible and all-in-one seats the child is transferred to a toddler's seat. Infant-only car seats should be used with the rear facing side until the child reaches the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they need to be switched to the car seat that is facing forward. The convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they are old enough to be able to move forward.

Simple to Use

It is essential to select the right car seat that is simple to use for parents and children, even though safety is the most important aspect. We test the car seat's buckles, handles, and harness adjustments in addition to its ease of fitting into a vehicle. If a car-seat is difficult to use, you may end up using it improperly. This could compromise the safety of your baby.

Take a look at meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to you bring your child home, if you are concerned about installing your infant car seat. They can show you how to use the seat and show you the video of the crash test. Make sure to read your car seat's manual. This will aid you in avoiding common mistakes when installing the seat.

Infant car seats aren't convertible, and can only be used until your child outgrows it or attains the maximum weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer. It's a great choice to select one that can be used as long as you can before switching your little one to a bigger car seat.

Some infant car seats can even convert into a stroller that will provide more value for your money. However, it is important to keep in mind that any seat that is able to be converted into a stroller will be heavier than those that only function as a car seat for infants.

Another aspect to keep in mind is how wide your infant's car seat is, which will affect the ease of it to fit in your vehicle and whether it's compatible with other seats in the back row. You should also consider how heavy it is, as lighter seats are easier to lift into and out of the car. This is particularly important if you intend to use your infant seat often and transport it between vehicles. In our top infant car seats review, we prefer models that are narrower and lighter.

Reliability

Your child's safety is the top priority. While all car seats must meet federal safety standards, there are some that go above and beyond. Clek's Liing is an award-winning winner of the Best of the Bump award. It comes with a two stage body support system that will keep children comfortable and warm. It also received a stellar crash test score from Consumer Reports.

Be aware, however, that even the most reliable infant car seat will only be as safe as how it is installed and used. Poorly installed or misused car seats pose a significant danger to children and infants of all age groups. That's why Vybiralova Stanton recommends reading the user's manual for the manufacturer and looking for installation videos online. "You'll discover that manufacturers are more interested in making sure you have the correct seat for your car and baby," she says.

The most reliable infant cars seats come with features that make it easy to install and use, such as the buckle release for harnesses that can be operated with one hand, magnetic strap holders that don't cling on clothing, and a non-rethread harness. They also come with durable materials and a range of adjustment mechanisms that operate effortlessly.

Another thing to consider is whether an infant car seat has a base that can be used with or without the use of the vehicle's LATCH or shoulder belt systems. This can be useful for parents who regularly take taxis or who will be using their seat in multiple vehicles.

It's also worth considering how much the infant car seat weighs and if you can easily carry it around. Some models are heavier than others, and they can be a strain on your arms and shoulders when you're carrying other children or traveling long distances.

In the end, a car seat with a lower cost can save you money and time. Don't buy a cheap car seat just because it is inexpensive. A price that is low could mean that the manufacturer skimped on quality of materials or safety features. Before you make a final decision, it's a good idea read reviews and get suggestions from other parents.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats make it simple to ensure that your baby is safe. They are easy to put in and have features that allow for buckling and unbuckling with ease and come with other convenience features such as soft fabrics and a no rethread harness. They also come with design elements that make them more protective in the event of a crash like load legs, which are shock absorbing parts of the base or the car seat, which reduce the movement of the seat and consequently reduce the force on your child.

Choose a compact and slim baby car seat if you have a smaller car or plan on changing vehicles frequently. This kind of seat is able to fit into narrower cars, and many of them come with a unique handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also typically lighter than convertible car seats, which means they are easier to lift into and out of the car.

The infant car seat transforms into a stroller for babies without the need for an additional attachment. This is a huge advantage for families that are constantly traveling or who reside in cities where public transportation is more frequent. It's slightly bigger than a traditional car seat for an infant but not as big as a convertible.

It is easy to use, and our testers loved its buckle holders with magnetic buckles and harness that does not need rethreads, which makes it quick to get the baby in and out. It is equipped with features that make it easier to use, such as the recline that is operated by a button with four positions, and steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that can be removed from the base when secured.

As a parent of a newborn, selecting the best infant car seats is one of the biggest choices you'll make. It is essential to research and read reviews before making a choice. You must ensure that the car seat that you pick is designed with the safety of your child in mind and conforms to all safety standards in the country.