You ll Never Guess This Best Infant Seat s Benefits
From Shiapedia
Best Infant Seat Features
While all infant seats conform to federal safety standards, a few exceed the federal safety standards. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love such as extra padding, a cushioned inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no need for rethreading.
When deciding on our top picks, we took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) stroller compatibility, features and price. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.
Safety
All infant car seats sold in the United States must be in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features above and beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in strap-holding sides, and so on. The more features a car seat has, the more comfortable, according to the experts I spoke with.
The more user-friendly the car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This will lower their child’s risk of injury in an accident. This is especially true for the infant car seat, as it's designed for only a brief period of time. Find a seat that is easy to install with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to ensure that the seat level. Make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.
Other top features that some car seat manufacturers offer are a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips for carrying the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are great the safety of a car seat is only dependent on the vehicle in which you drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your infant car seat and find out more about the car's safety features.
When selecting an infant car seat in front seat car seat, be aware that you'll only be able use it for a period of about two years before your child is old enough to transition to a convertible seat. Some families opt to not use the infant seat altogether and choose to purchase convertible cars with a higher weight and height limit. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try a few models in person before committing to one. You can then ensure that the seat is comfortable for your child, is a good fit in your car and also has useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product before you buy it. It's essential to ensure your child's safety on the road.
User-Friendliness
You want a car seat for your baby that is easy to attach and remove from the base whether you intend to use it in one vehicle or move it between multiple. Look for clear installation instructions and a smooth mechanism. Also, think about how easy it is to alter the car seat as your baby grows and the quality of the materials used.
Some infant seats include the load leg. This is a brace that serves as a support between the seat's base and the floor of your vehicle and provides extra stability in the event of an accident. This is a crucial feature for those who drive an older car, as the risk of head injury during a crash is much higher when a baby is seated near to the floor, according to research by Consumer Reports.
Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. These include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from spinning in the event of a crash. The latter has been proven to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium I would recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was given an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It has a non-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extended canopy that has magnets to ensure complete coverage.
Another thing to look for is a seat that can be installed using the lap belt, and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who are planning to use Uber or taxi rides, since it doesn't require them to get back in the car each time to replace a seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a sturdy LATCH system that's built right into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and easy to put in any car seat newborn insert. It also can be used with a rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and converts to the highback booster or belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 pounds). This is a great choice when you're on a tight budget.
Comfort
If your child is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's essential that they feel comfortable. That means padded straps on their shoulders, a plush fabric that is soft against their back and stomach and a headrest that grows with them to accommodate their growing body. Also, consider a seat you can easily adjust as your child grows.
A car seat with a variety of features is usually more expensive, but it is also simpler to use. This is why we consider things like a one-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also pay attention to dimensions and weight since the weight or bulk of a seat could strain your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.
Another option is a seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly options that include this safety feature.
Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll want to ensure the seat is safe for your child after they reach their highest growth spurt usually between the ages of two and three. It's also worth considering a convertible infant car seat that converts into an adult car seat. This will allow you more flexibility when you drive and is great for families who often switch vehicles or travel.
Our testers loved the Doona, which incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller into one unit. It's a great option for parents who are constantly moving around, particularly those who take public transport to commute to work or go to school. It's also simple to set up, and our expert testers were impressed with the ease of use of the latch that is one-handed and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers reported that the seat is compact and lightweight, which is essential for those with a limited trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemical which is a major bonus for parents who are concerned about their child's environment and health.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are easy to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows, the best infant car seats include convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with minimal amount of effort. Other important features to consider are whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to help with cleaning) and if it features a canopy, which can be useful in the car and also attached to a stroller.
One feature that might seem like a small thing, but could save you a lot of headache is a meter on the base that informs you that it's been properly installed. The line should be parallel to the ground and is located on the base. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be switching the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if plan to travel with your child and need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.
A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be affixed directly to it. This makes it easy to transport your sleeping bundle to the store, or to run the errands. You don't have to worry about an additional carrier. This could be a game changer for parents with newborns who want to return to their day after an extended commute or a trip with their newborn car seat insert.
If your baby is expected to grow quickly, you should choose an infant car seat with a higher weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for a longer period of time.
All car seat for newborn seats sold in America must meet the safety standards of the federal government However, that doesn't mean that they are all in the same way. Certain models have features that go beyond, including load legs that support the car seat's base for added stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Other features, like a no-rethread harness and an extendable canopy, could also make for a more comfortable ride for baby and help you be a happier and more confident parent.
