How to Choose the best car seat newborn Infant Car Seat

Think about what you want from your car seat. "If you need a car seat that will expand with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and can convert to both the high-back and backless booster.

It also scores highly in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or in the car seat that limit the movement of the car seat for newborn seat in a crash.

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from the car seat inserts for newborns or attach to a stroller frame which is crucial because you will be required to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle often. Car seats for infants offer the benefit of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life so you don't need to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as fast as the convertible car seat might.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to purchasing. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

You should also look into whether a seat has features that could be beneficial to your family, such as a one-handed strap release, a no-rethread harness or a spring-loaded leveling foot. These types of features can make buckling your baby quicker and easier but remember that even the most secure seats will be useless when you don't use them in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. Many infant car seats can be put in your car alongside older car seats. Others can grow with your child and can be converted to an adult booster in the same time. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to travel infant car seat or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be fitted using only the vehicle's seatbelt is a good option.

In general it's best to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. For instance, it's best to avoid models that don't include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The ideal infant car seat for you is one that will work well in your family's vehicle It is simple to install and use, and includes handy features such as the built-in stroller or rotating capability. It should also be affordable. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they're convertible and are intended for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

Convenience features include how easy it is to set up the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant out of the seat. Installing and taking it off is not difficult, particularly for children who ride Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should also be light and have clearly labeled installation guides and bubble levels so you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

It should be easy to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as move the seat when not in use. Before you buy an infant car seat, it's important to check the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. A good guideline is to select a car seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include additional features such as crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers more than just good crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that helps stabilize the seat in a crash, and reduces forces on the child's body by 40%. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats that have convenience features and safety.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats are made of the thick, breathable fabric as well as ample padding on the headrest and harness. They come with easy-to-use adjustments like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments which don't require to be rethread.

The weight and size of a baby car seat [please click for source] can affect comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back of the car with a car seat or your siblings' seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, certain models are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from getting sore when you carry it around town or between vehicles.

Some infant car seats include additional features that make them more flexible like rotating options or the ability to click into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Other models include premium features like an adjustable no-rethread harness or bars that prevent rebounding to provide additional security in the case of the possibility of a crash. While these additional features aren't necessary for a safe ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their infants to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher making it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that tells you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator indicate when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the myriad of features available makes it difficult to decide what's best for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limit and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses that do not have a rethread can increase the price but may improve the comfort of babies. Consider features that make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. Also, pay attention to dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats are suitable for every car.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, can affect this. You should also consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Certain models let you use the seat without a base which is a great option when you frequently take taxis or if you plan to switch cars often. To make sure that your seat is properly installed make sure you choose models with bubble level indicators and a integrated locking mechanism.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the infant as well as a recline that can be adjusted to five positions and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have observed the fact that a seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the infant is done using it is an advantage.

The Doona is an infant car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants gave it top marks across every category. It's approved for travel on air and has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted into a stroller. Its crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.