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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Car seats are an essential item for parents. What makes one seat better than the other? A dedicated infant seat is the ideal option for small babies. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience extras such as premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one button handles. Also, consider safety features like load legs and body/head cushions. best car seat for newborn Pushchairs And Prams As any parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat is among the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The best seat will make sure that your child is positioned properly and is adequately protected in the event of a crash. Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Some have special features designed to safeguard infants, for instance, load legs that reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the car seat and base and others have built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your child. Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit babies at their best and often include extra crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers, making them ideal for ride shares and daycare pickups and drop-offs. You can purchase used ones at only a fraction of the cost as they're only used for the first 12 months. Another factor to consider is that, while an excellent NHTSA rating and excellent crash test results are crucial but the way you use your car seat is even more crucial for your child's safety. In fact, a study by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered that 95% of parents made at least one critical error when installing or putting in their car seat. It's essential to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby arrives by ensuring that you know the correct car seat guidelines. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be easy to carry your baby in it, and has simple adjustment mechanisms. Make sure that the infant car seat you are considering fits the vehicle's size requirements. And if you're worried about your own ability to install and operate the car seat correctly take it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) for a hands-on tutorial before your baby's birth. Convenience Some infant car seats have additional features that make them easier to use. For instance, they might have a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they may have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it simpler to install and remove the car seat – particularly if there is another child in your care. It is also crucial to take into consideration the limits on height and weight for the infant car seat. If your child is growing quickly it could be worthwhile to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you can utilize it for as long as you want. In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat should also be comfortable. Find padded straps that won't pinch or rub their shoulders, and look for plush fabric which feels comfy underneath them. It's also a good idea to choose a seat with a lie-flat mode which allows your infant to ride in a more relaxed position that keeps their airways open and oxygen levels high. Dr. Segura warns that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat because they haven't been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Avoid purchasing a used car seats for infants because they may have been in an accident and could be damaged or worn. The best infant car seats range anywhere from $100 to $600, there are a few characteristics that the top choices have in common. They're all lightweight, easy to set up and remove and comfortable for infants. Some even have special features that make them more flexible, like the ability to pivot and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more information about the different options available, take a look at our review of the top infant car seats. Comfort The best infant car seats come with features for comfort that make it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat. The top infant car seats feature one-handed clasps which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at the same time. They also come with cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to think about how much the seat weighs—you'll be using it without a base in the end, so a lighter one is the best. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds. The height and weight limit of the infant car seats are crucial. If you intend to keep the car seat, pick a model that will expand with your child and fit them into the stage of toddlerhood. You'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a new car seat. It is also important to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's narrower or larger than other models. This could be an advantage for smaller vehicles, and the latter is a benefit when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or require driving with three kids in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you plan to use a car seat with a pram, choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and has detachable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that meet your needs. Check the rating of a car seat for user-friendliness. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened—like bubble levels or color codes—can aid in reducing stress on parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing components that are located under the seat or on the base which extend to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the impact force during a crash. There are also some accessories that claim to increase your car seat's comfort and convenience, but keep in mind that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. “Anything you purchase that isn't directly from the manufacturer, such as the harness or blanket is not recommended to put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style It can be difficult for parents with young children to figure out the best infant car seats. It's important that you know your budget and the features you'd like to have. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics but a lot comes down to what's comfortable for babies. It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't suitable for infants and are only suitable until one year. Some even include extended kits that have been tested in a crash that will allow them to last longer. They typically come with more recline modes to allow for the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and more convenient to carry. They are more likely to be compatible when used with an existing travel system. This is a great option for new parents wanting to save money and time by buying a seat that will serve two purposes. Another aspect to be aware of is that car seat weight and width are crucial elements for families with a large number of children. For instance, some infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back of your car or to be used in conjunction with siblings in their seats. Some are heavy enough to test your biceps by lifting and transfer from stroller to car. When it comes to convenience, many parents prefer infant car seats with the capability to move from base to carrier and then snap into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can save a ton of time, especially during busy times when you're running errands with your kids. Other features that are useful include the magnetic buckle holder as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a streamlined installation procedure. Look for a head and body support insert to stop infants from slumping into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep. Some car seats feature rigid latches that open from the base if installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and reduces the amount that a seat can move during a crash.