15 Up-And-Coming Best Infant Car Seat Bloggers You Need To See

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you would like from your car seat. "If you need a car seat that can adapt to your child's needs, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be changed into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a big rear-facing weight restriction.

The soft cushioning that can be machine washed is an added benefit. Load legs are an additional useful feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the car seat base and limit movement during the event of a crash.

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, so they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or connect to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you'll need to carry your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being built to last for the first year of your child's life, which means you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as quickly as the convertible car seat might.

It is an excellent idea to do some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. You should consider reading reviews from other parents and looking through safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a lot of crash testing data to provide to families.

Look for features that will benefit your family. For instance, an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features can help you buckle your child faster and more convenient but remember that even the safest seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant seats can be placed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Others can expand with your child, and then convert to an adult booster simultaneously. If you intend to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be put in place using only your car's seatbelt will be a convenient choice.

In general, it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous crash safety standards. Beware of models that don't include side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are ones that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats cost between $180 and $500. If they are convertible, and will be used for toddlers and infants, the price can be higher.

Convenience features include how simple it is to put in the seat with either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the harness and headrest without taking the baby out of the seat. You need to be able to put in and remove the seat with ease, especially if you switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat must also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

You should also be able rotate the seat and lock it when you're not using it and have access to buckles as well as harness straps. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by its first birthday. In general, you should select the seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90% percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go above and beyond to include additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top rated baby car seats pick by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also comes with a load leg, which can help 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 spending more on car seats with added safety features and convenience.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing an infant car seat, because babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature thick, breathable fabric and generous padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't need to be rethread.

The weight and size of an infant car seat can also impact comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or use the seat frequently. Certain models are smaller than others, which makes them easier to fit in the back seat alongside another car seat or your siblings seats. Although all have minimum and maximum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from getting sore when carrying it around town or between vehicles.

Some infant car seats offer additional features that make them more adaptable, such as rotational options or the capability to click into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Some models are equipped with high-end features, such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of an accident. Although these features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.

In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable infant car seat for their baby. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned in the dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking new.

Some models go beyond to ensure their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and has an indicator that lets you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats design their products with safety and ease of use as their primary objectives. However, the vast variety of features can make it difficult to choose which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Other features like anti-rebound bar, load legs and straps that do not rethread could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby car seat. Consider features that make it easy to get your child into and out of the car seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat as not every seat will fit in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, will influence this. Also, you should consider whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have an easy release mechanism that allows you to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a base, which can be convenient for those who frequently use taxis or plan to switch cars frequently. To ensure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators as well as a built-in locking mechanisms.

Other features worth the extra cost include a headrest that increases with the infant car seat rear facing or a recline with five positions, as well as an extended canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have noted the fact that a seat can be used as a highback belt-positioning booster, or a backless one after the infant is done using it is a plus.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It has many features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers gave it top marks all over the spectrum. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also converts directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). The results of its crash tests are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.