The History Of Best Infant Seat
Best Infant Seat Features
While all infant seats meet the federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will appreciate, including additional padding, a padded inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.
We considered factors like weight (without base), stroller connectivity, special features, and price when selecting our top picks. Read on to see which infant car seat is suitable for your family.
Safety
All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However, some seats come with extra features that go above 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 has, they are more efficient.
The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This will lower the risk of injury to their child during the event of a crash. This is especially true for infant seats, which are only meant to be used for a short period of time. Find a seat that is easy to install, with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to help get the seat in a perfect position. Make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.
Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers offer are an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips for carrying the seat. These are fantastic, but don't forget that a safe car seat is still only as secure as the car you're driving in. Go through the owner's manual for tips on how to secure your infant seat and to find out more about the specific features of your vehicle. safety features.
When choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll probably only be in a position to use it for around two years before your child is ready to switch to convertible car seats. This is the reason why some families decide to leave out an infant car seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which is more spacious and has higher height and weight limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling on one. You can then ensure that the seat is safe for your child, is a good fit inside your car and also has useful features like converting to a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's the most critical aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.
Easy of Use
You're looking for a car seat for your baby that is easy to attach and take off from the base, whether you plan to use it in a single vehicle or transfer it between multiple. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your baby grows and the quality materials used.
Some infant seats include the load leg. This is a brace that acts as a support between the seat base and the vehicle's floor, providing extra stability in case of a collision. Consumer Reports research shows that it is particularly important if you are driving an older vehicle because the chance of a head injury is higher if the child is seated too close to the floor.
Other top features that enhance the user experience include a no-rethread harness and anti-rebound bars, which will prevent the seat from rebounding during the event of a crash. The latter has been shown to lower the risk of head injury by up to 43 percent. The Evenflo's LiteMax DLX is a fantastic choice for those on a limited budget looking for a car seat that's ARC-certified and comes with a few high-end features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat has received an excellent rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions as well as an extendable canopy that is secured with magnets to ensure complete coverage.
A seat that can be easily installed with just lapbelts and does not require the requirement for a base is another option. This is a good option for parents who intend to take Uber or taxi rides, since it doesn't require them to get back in the car each time to install a new seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its corresponding TRIV travel system have a sturdy LATCH system that's built right into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and simple to install in any vehicle. It can also be used rear-facing (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds), and it converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children who weigh between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great option for families on a tight budget.
Comfort
When your baby is stuck in a car seat for a long period of time, it's crucial that they feel safe. This means padded straps on their shoulders, plush material that is comfortable against their back and tummy and a headrest that expands with them to accommodate their growing body. Also, consider an easy-to-reach seat that you can adjust as your child gets older.
While a seat that has many special features may be more expensive but they're also generally easier to use. That's why we look at aspects like a single-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also look at the weight and size of the seat, as the weight or size of the seat can strain your biceps as you move it into and out of your vehicle or in between vehicles.
Another option is a seat that has a load-leg, which is a safety feature which 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 choices that have this safety feature.
The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll want to ensure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth. It usually occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that can be transformed into a toddler's car seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is perfect for families who frequently change vehicles or travel.
Our testers loved the Doona that combines an infant car seat and stroller in one. It's ideal for parents who are constantly moving around, particularly those who use public transportation to commute to work or to school. It's also easy to put in, and our expert testers appreciated the ease of using the one-handed latch system and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also commented on how the seat is compact, which is a must for those with a limited trunk space. It's also free of harmful chemicals, which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.
Push Chairs And Prams are easy 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 top infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get into and out with minimal amount of effort. Be sure to consider whether the seat can be cleaned by machine (to simplify cleaning) and if it comes with a canopy. This is helpful both in the car and on a stroller.
A feature on the base can save you a great deal of time and headaches. It lets you know if it has been installed correctly. The line should be parallel to ground and is located on the base. This is particularly useful in the event that you will change the car seat frequently, or when your child will be traveling with you and you'll need to connect it to taxis or Ubers.
Another useful feature is the ability to connect a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, making it easier to transport your baby's bundle of joy from the car to the grocery store or on errands without having to lug around a separate carrier. This can be a life-changing feature for parents who are looking to return to normal after a lengthy trip or commute with a child.
If you anticipate your child to grow rapidly, choose a car seat for infants that have a greater weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat for longer.
While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it doesn't mean all seats are created equal. Certain models have features that go above and beyond, like load legs that anchor the base of the car seat to provide additional stability and anti-rebound bars to reduce the risk of head injury in crashes. Other features, such as the no-rethread harness or an extendable canopy, can also provide a more comfortable ride for your child and help you be a happier, more confident parent.