Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats comply with federal safety standards, a few are more than others. From extra padding to a cushioned inlay for newborns to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread our Best of the Bump winner offers many features parents will love.

We looked at factors such as weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and prices when selecting our top picks. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading on.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must be in compliance with federal safety standards. Some seats come with extra features that go beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs, a built-in rethreader, sides that hold the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a chair comes with, the are more efficient.

The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely parents will be to use it properly, which can reduce their child's risk of injury in an accident. This is especially important for infant seats, which are designed to be used for a brief time. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and a spring-loaded reclining foot to make it easy to set the seat. Make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.

Other top features that some car seat manufacturers offer are the no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips for carrying the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are wonderful the safety of a car seat is only as good as the vehicle that you use to drive. Go through the owner's manual to learn how to properly secure your infant seat and to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll probably only be allowed to use it for around 2 years, until your child is old enough to switch to convertible car seats. Some families opt to not use the infant seat entirely and choose to purchase a convertible car that has greater weight and height limit. When purchasing an infant car seat, make sure you consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling on one. Then, you can make sure the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car, and comes with handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product before you buy it. It's vital to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

Easy to Use

You're looking for a car seat newborn insert seats for your baby that is easy to connect and remove from the base regardless of whether you plan to use it in one vehicle or transfer it between several. It is important to look for clear installation instructions and a smooth mechanism. Also, think about how it is easy to alter the car seat as your baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

A great feature that many infant seats have is a load leg, which serves as an extra brace between the seat's base and the vehicle's floor to provide extra stability in the event of a crash. This is a crucial feature for those who drive an older vehicle, since the risk of injury to the head in a crash is greater when a child is sitting close to the ground, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other features that are premium can enhance the experience of infants in car seats. These include a non harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar to keep the seat from spinning in the event of a crash. The latter has been shown by studies to reduce the risk for head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seats with some of the most important premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat received an outstanding rating by experts in child safety. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extended canopy that has magnets to ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look out for is a seat that can be installed using a 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, as it eliminates the need to return to the car every time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for example are equipped with a sturdy LATCH that is built into the seat's bottom making them easy and simple to install. It can also be used rear-facing (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great choice for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

It is essential that your child feels comfortable in the car seat, especially when they're there for a long time. This means straps that are padded on their shoulders, plush material that is comfortable against their tummy and back and a headrest that expands with them to accommodate their growing body. Also, look for a seat you can easily alter as your child grows.

While a seat with a lot of special features may cost more, they're also often easier to use. That's why we look at factors like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also take into consideration the weight and size of the seat, since an extremely heavy or bulky seat can put stress on your biceps when you transport it in and out of your vehicle or between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg - a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash--is an alternative. It's typically found in more expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this additional safety feature.

The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs at around the age of two or three. You should also consider a convertible car seat for infants that can be transformed into a toddler seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is perfect for families who often change vehicles or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona that combines the car seat of an infant car seat best and a stroller in one unit. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go particularly those who commute to work or school on public transport. It is also easy to set up. Our expert testers appreciated its user-friendlyness and its one-handed latching system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact, which is important for those who have a small trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemical, which is a big advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.

Convenience

The best car seat for newborn uk portable infant car seat car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are smooth and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically raise as your child grows, the best infant car seats include convenience features that help parents get into and out with a minimal amount of effort. Other important features to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it has a canopy, which is handy both inside the car and also attached to a stroller.

One thing that might not seem like a big difference but can save you a lot of trouble is an indicator on the base that will let you know when it's been installed correctly. This line should be parallel to the ground and is situated on the base. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if plan to travel with your child and need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

Another feature that is beneficial is the ability to connect a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat making it easier to transport your baby's child from the car to the grocery store or out on errands, without having to lug around a separate carrier. This can be a life-changing feature for parents who are looking for a way to return to normal after a long trip or commute with a child.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, you should choose an infant car seat that has more weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat in use longer.

All car seats sold in America must conform to federal safety standards, but that does not mean they are all created in the same way. Some come with features that go beyond, like load legs that support the base of the car seats newborn seat to provide additional stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Certain additional features can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, making you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.