• 글쓰기
• 목록

How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best

Parents must have car seats. What makes one car seat better than the other?

A specially designed infant seat is the best choice for infants who aren't big enough. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for convenience options like premium lower anchor connectors, no-rethread harness pads, and one-button handles. Also, look into safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions.

Safety

As any parent will tell you, selecting the right car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The best seat will ensure that your child is placed correctly and adequately protected in case of a car crash.

While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all seats are created equal. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, such as load legs that reduce movement in crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the car seat and base as well as built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your child.

Choi says that infant car seats are designed to be able to accommodate babies in the best car seats newborn way. They typically have crash-tested inserts which help to achieve this. They're also lighter than convertible car seat and can be easily transformed into a stroller. This makes them ideal for daycare drop-offs, ride-shares and pickups. You can purchase a used one at a fraction of the price, since they only last for the first 12 months.

A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are important however the method you use to install your child's car seat is more important. In fact, a study by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95% of parents made at the very least one crucial error when installing or putting in their car seat.

This is why it's a great idea to spend a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the proper car seat usage guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We suggest you look for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be easy to carry your child, and that has easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms.

Examine if the infant car seat that you are considering fits the car's dimensions. If you're worried about your capability to set up and operate the car seat properly by yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is even born for a hands on tutorial.

Convenience

Some infant car seats include extra features that make it easier to use. For instance, they might have a base that the seat can be clicked into and out of, or they may come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it more convenient to install and detach the car seat, especially if you have another child to take care of.

The weight and height limits of a baby car seat are also important to take into consideration. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it could be worth the extra money to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to use it for as long as you can.

In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat should also be comfortable. Find padded straps that won't touch or squeeze their shoulders and plush fabric that feels cozy underneath them for long periods of time. It's also recommended to choose a seat with an option to lie flat that allows your baby to sit in a more relaxed position that keeps their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high.

Dr. Segura warns that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat as they have not been crash-tested and may be unsafe. Avoid buying used car seats for infants because they might have been in an accident and may be damaged or worn.

The top infant car seats range in price from $100 to more than $600. However, they all share some characteristics. They're all light easy to put in and remove, and comfortable for the baby. Some even have special features that make them more versatile, like the ability to swivel and clip into strollers without the need for additional adapters. For more information about the various choices available, read our comparison of best infant car seats.

Comfort

The best infant car seats have comfort features that make it easier to get your baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. You'll also want to think about the weight of the seat. Since you'll be using it with no base, a seat that is lighter is better. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.

Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you plan on keeping the car seat for a while choose one that will expand with your child and will allow them to transition into toddlerhood. It is possible to use it for a longer time and save money by not purchasing another seat.

It is also important to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or larger than other models. The first is a good option for smaller vehicles. The second may be useful if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to back car seats. If you are planning to use your newborn car seat seat along with strollers, you should look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with the majority of strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna provide options that satisfy this need.

For ease of use, look up the score the car seat is given for installation. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color-coding, that indicate whether the seat is secure and level, can ease the stress of new parents. Some seats come with unique features, such as load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the seat base or under the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb some force in the event of a crash.

There are also a few accessories that claim to enhance the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but keep in mind that any device not sold in conjunction with the car seat hasn't yet been tested or approved for safety. "Anything you purchase that's not from the manufacturer, including a blanket or harness you shouldn't put in the car seat," Segura says.

Style

For new parents, figuring out how to choose the best car seat for your infant can be quite a puzzle. It's crucial to know the budget you have set 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 baby.

For instance it's important to note that infant seats designed specifically for babies fit small babies better than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of their lives (though some may have crash-tested extension kits to ensure they last longer). They also offer more recline options for proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry around. They are more likely to work when used with a travel system. This is beneficial for new parents looking to save money and time by purchasing seats that serve two purposes.

Car seat weight and width are also important to consider for most families. Certain infant car seats that swivel car seats, for instance are narrower and can fit better in the back of your vehicle or next to other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps as you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller.

In terms of convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats with the ability to move from base to carrier and click directly into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can save a lot of time, particularly on busy days when you're running errands with your kids.

Other features that are useful include an adjustable buckle holder that is magnetic as well as a strap that does not need to be rethread and a simple installation process. Also, look for a head and body support insert, which will assist infants in avoiding slumping in the seat or carrier when they are asleep.

Certain car seats come with rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and may limit the amount of time a car seat can move during a crash.