How to Choose the best car seat Infant Car Seat

Consider what you would like from your car seat. "If you want a car seat to develop with your child then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat can be transformed to a high-back booster or a backless booster. It comes with a huge rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores highly in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft cushioning that is machine washable. Load legs are another useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are attached to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in an accident.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car or set onto a stroller frame than convertible car seats, which is important since you'll likely need to transport your baby in the seat frequently outside of your vehicle. The infant car seat is designed to last your child for the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child outgrowing the weight limit or height.

It's a good idea, however, to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Take a look at reviews from other parents as well as reviewing safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash testing data to give to families.

You will also want to examine whether a seat comes with features that could be beneficial to your family, such as the strap release that is one-handed and a harness with no rethread or an adjustable foot with springs. These kinds of features could make buckling up your child faster and more convenient however, you must remember that even the safest seats are useless when you don't use them correctly.

The weight and width of the car seat are equally crucial. Many infant seats are designed to be small enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your car, while others can grow with your child and then transition to a booster seat at the same time. And finally, if you plan to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, an infant car seat that is installed with only the seat belt of your vehicle is a great alternative.

In general it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models typically don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit inside your vehicle with your family, are simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in runn their car seats. The most comfortable ones are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the headrest and harness. They also offer simple adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of a car seat for infants can affect comfort, especially when you are planning to switch cars or travel with the seat often. Some models are narrower than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or siblings seats. While they all have weight and height limitations Some are lighter. This can save you from having sore biceps when you carry it around town or between cars.

Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more adaptable including rotating options or the ability to convert into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Other models include high-end features like harnesses that are adjustable and do not rethread or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional safety in the case of a crash. These features aren't necessary for safe riding, but they can improve the overall experience.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents also require a clean, comfortable infant car seat for their child. Find a seat that's machine washable and stain-resistant, and also easy to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go the extra mile to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which comes with an anti-rebound bars and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat has a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and also an indicator to let you know when the seat is properly attached. And, its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle make easy one-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their main goals. However, the vast selection of features makes it difficult to choose which is best car seat newborn for your family. You'll want to consider aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and no-rethread harnesses can add to the price but may improve comfort for baby. Look for features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats can be used in all cars.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're rigid or flexible. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if there is a one-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is a great option for those who plan to change cars or take taxis often. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a integrated locking mechanism.

Certain features could be worth the extra expense like a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, and the canopy that expands and locks into the position. Our product testers have noted the fact that a seat can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the infant car seat newborn is done using it is a benefit.

Doona is an infant car seat that will spoil parents. It's packed with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is why our test participants scored it highly across every category. For instance, it's approved for travel on airplanes, features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need for separate stroller adapter). Its crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.