You'll Never Guess This Best Infant Seat's Secrets

Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant car seat best seats meet federal safety standards, a few are more than others. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will appreciate with extra padding, a padded inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no Rethreading.

When selecting our top picks, we considered factors like weight (without base), stroller compatibility, extra features, and price. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that can hold straps, and more. The more features a car seat is equipped with the better, according the experts I spoke with.

The more user-friendly a car seat is it, the more likely parents are to use it in a safe manner, which can reduce their child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is especially true for infant seats, which are meant to be used for a short duration. Choose a model that has bubble indicators and an incline foot that is spring loaded for making it easy to set the seat. Make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.

Other features that top-quality car seat for newborn seat makers offer include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful but the safety of your car seat is only as good as the vehicle that you use to drive. Check out the car's owner's manual to learn how to ensure the safety of your infant's seat as well as to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When you are choosing an infant car seat in front seat seat, keep in mind that you will only be able use it for about 2 years before your child is ready to transition to a convertible seat. That's why some families opt to skip an infant car seat and move straight to a convertible car seat, which has higher height and weight limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try several models before settling. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, can fit in your car and has handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's essential to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

User-Friendliness

If you're planning to use the seat in a single car or moving it among many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to install and detach from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and an operation that is seamless. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the quality materials used.

One of the best features that infant seats include is a load leg that acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle floor to offer extra stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older vehicle, since the likelihood of sustaining a head injury is greater if the child is seated too close to the floor.

Other high-end features can enhance 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 bouncing in a crash. This has been proven by research to reduce the chance of head injuries by up to 43%. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat that has a few key premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was awarded an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure complete coverage.

Another thing to look out for is an infant seat that can be put in by a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is a great option for parents who plan to take Uber or taxi rides because it eliminates the need to return to the car each time to install a new seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its corresponding TRIV travel system have a rigid LATCH system that's built right into the bottom of the seat, making it quick and easy to put in any vehicle. It can also be used with a rear-facing (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds), forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into a highback or belt-positioning booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. It's an excellent choice for families with a limited budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat inserts for newborns seat, especially if they are there for a long period of time. This means straps that are padded on their shoulders, a plush fabric that feels cozy against their tummy and back and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Look for an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow, as well.

While a seat that has lots of features might cost more, they're also often easier to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies, we consider aspects like a single-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and harness that doesn't rethread. We also pay attention to the dimensions and weight, as an overly heavy or bulky seat could put stress on your biceps when you're carrying it into and out of your car or moving between cars.

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 usually found in expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this safety feature.

Another important consideration is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat will still be safe for your child when they reach their highest growth stage typically around age two or three. It's also worth looking at a convertible infant car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat. This option gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who often change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller into one unit. It's the ideal choice for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school on public transportation. It's also easy to put in and our experts who tested it were impressed with the ease of use of the latch that is one-handed and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also noted that the seat is compact, which is important for those with limited trunk space. Plus, it's free of harmful chemicals, which is a huge advantage for parents who are concerned about their child's health and environment.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten and loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows the best infant car seats come with convenience features to help parents get in and out with a minimal amount of effort. Be sure to consider whether the seat can be washed by a machine (to facilitate cleaning) and whether it has a canopy. This is helpful in the car as well as on a stroller.

One thing that may seem like a small thing, but could save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that informs you whether it's been put in place 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 intend to travel with your child and need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

Another benefit is the possibility of attaching a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it easier to transport your baby's bundle of joy from the car to the store or out for errands without having to lug around a separate carrier. This could be a game changer for new parents looking to get back to their normal routine after an extended commute or a trip with a newborn car seat.

If you expect your baby to grow quickly opt for a car seat for babies with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use longer.

All car seats sold in America must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but that does not mean that they're all equal. Some seats come with extra features, such as load legs that support a car seat's base to improve stability and an anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of sustaining head injuries from crashes. Certain additional features can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, making you as a parent are happier and more confident.