How to Select Good Infant Car Seats
When it comes to selecting the right car seat for your child, the options can be overwhelming. There are a few steps you can do to narrow your search.
You can make your parenting experience more enjoyable by adding features like load legs, an easy-to-tighten harness, and a headrest that extends with the baby.
Easy to Use
When purchasing a car seat for your infant, you should consider the weight and height limits. You should make sure that the seat will last your child until they're outgrowing it, which usually happens at around the age of two. You also need to consider whether you want a car seat that goes up to the 90th percentile in weight or height or one that is a little smaller or taller. This will help you determine how long you'll use the seat before moving to a convertible car seat.
You should also consider how it is simple to install and use the seat. For instance the ease of loosening and tightening straps and latch connectors, how simple it is to switch between rear and forward facing positions, and how many buckle positions there are all impact ease of use. Consider the comfort of the head and body pads, as well as any extra conveniences such a cupholder and hideaway harness pad.
The more user-friendly a chair is the more likely you'll be to utilize it properly and have a big impact on your baby's safety. Seats that are easy to set up and remove from the base with a minimum of effort are the best.
Another thing to take into consideration is the weight of the car seat and how easy it is to move. You want to be able to carry it with a baby inside and carry it easily, especially when you're planning longer journeys. Check the seat's width and height to make sure it fits in your vehicle. If you intend to use it with a baby stroller, choose a model compatible with various strollers.
In the end, it is recommended to be sure to look over the manufacturer's crash test results. You should be able find these on the website of the car seat, or through an online search. You can determine whether the car seat has been used to protect babies from accidents and what their policy is for replacement.
Safety
The most important consideration of any parent looking to purchase an infant car seat is whether the seat will safeguard their child. All infant car seats are required to meet safety standards outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Opens in a New Window which include rigorous crash tests as well as a five-point harness system.
There are other aspects to consider when purchasing an infant car seat. It is crucial to choose the appropriate infant car seat based on your child's height and weight and also the type of vehicle you have. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is correctly installed, as incorrectly installed car seats increase the risk of injury during a crash.
best car seats for newborns uk -quality infant car seat will have clearly marked installation guides, a simple-to-read bubble level indicator, and a locking clip to prevent accidental removal of the base. It should be light, and have features that are convenient such as an extended no-rethread strap as well as an anti-rebound bar. a high-quality leg that protects your baby's head in the event of an accident.
Parents may be interested in a car seat for their infant that can be made an adult seat by pulling an lever on the base of the. This will allow parents more flexibility and allow them to use the seat until their child has reached the weight and height limit.
You should also consider how easy the car seat will be to use on a regular basis. The buckle should be easy and easy to snap into and out of position. The straps need to be simple to loosen and adjust. The carrier should be easy to carry empty, and the base should be easy to remove from the car with no having to fumble around.
It is also a good idea prior to purchasing a car seat, to determine if there are any recalls. This can be done on the NHTSA website. Opens in a new window. It has an index of searchable databases of all the current and previous car seat recalls.
Comfort
When it is about infant car seats, comfort is the main concern for parents. These seats that face the rear are designed to protect babies in the event of a crash, and a majority of them come with support for the body and head to keep your baby cozy. Find a rear-facing seat that has features such as no-rethread straps as well as magnetic buckle holders and adjustable shoulder belts.
Simple installation and use is another characteristic that can ruin or make the quality of a car seat for infants. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able detach the seat from its base with one hand while securing your child in the other. When you're ready to go, the seat should click into place in less than an instant.
Many infant car seats are also suitable to use without a base. This is great for parents who frequently change between vehicles or taxis. Be sure to check the weight and height limits of the seat prior to buying it to ensure that your child isn't large. The majority of car seats have an infant insert which can be used by babies who are very small (like in the first few months or weeks of life) until their shoulders reach to the lowest harness slot.
If you are looking for a baby car seat that offers both convenience and safety, consider a convertible model. These seats are compatible in conjunction with strollers, and they come with the ability to fold them in when not in usage. They are generally larger than car seats for infants and may be more difficult to transport around.
A load leg is another thing to look for. This is a brace which sits between your seat and the vehicle's floor. It provides extra stability. They're not required, but they can be extremely helpful in smaller vehicles or those who have multiple car seats.
Convenience
You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that your baby is safe and secure. Look for features like padded shoulder straps, extra padding in the neck area to help your newborn get comfortable and a wide variety of recline positions and more. You might also look into a car seat that has additional features, such as UPF 50+ sun shields and a fully-coverage canopy with zip-open zippers that gives your baby the protection they require.
In terms of ease of use, consider how simple the seat is to use, as well as how it can be easily installed in a vehicle. It is likely that you will need to install the seat using both the LATCH system and the vehicle belt to ensure that it is the model that makes this process as easy as possible.
For example our top pick for the best infant car seats, the Nuna Pipa is equipped with an easy-to-install process due to the steel-reinforced connectors that flip out from the base and flash green when connected. This feature, along with the recline angle indicators and colored belt-oath indicators make this model stand out from other infant car seats with regard to ease of use.
The seat is also small and lightweight, which makes it a great option for parents who have to travel with baby or who will be switching between multiple cars often. It also comes with a non rethread harness, as well as magnetic buckle holders which permit you to secure the seat with just one hand.
A narrow shell that's less than 17 inches wide means the seat will fit newborns better than some others on the market, and the additional padding on the shoulder and chest areas provide additional comfort. The seat is a bit more expensive than other models, but we believe the premium features such as the adjustable base and SnugLock locking system are worth the cost.
Infant car seats are a big purchase, but with the right information and considerations, you can narrow down your choices to a handful of models that best fit your family's needs. You can then focus on the important task - getting ready for the arrival of your child!