Best Infant Seat Features
While all infant seats comply with the federal safety standards, some exceed the federal safety standards. From extra padding to baby inlay that is padded to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without rethreading the seat, our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love.
When selecting our top choices, we looked at factors such as weight (without base), stroller compatibility, extra features and prices. Find out what infant car seat is best for you and your family by reading.
Safety
Every infant car seat on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that are beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated, strap-holding sides, and much more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a seat comes with, the better.
The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely parents are to use it properly, which can reduce the risk of injury to their child in an accident. This is especially important with an infant car seat since it's designed for an extremely short time. Find a seat that is easy to install with an adjustable recline foot with springs and a bubble indicator to ensure that the seat perfectly level. Also, make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the car.
Some car seat manufacturers offer premium features, such as a strap that doesn't need to be rethread, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips that carry the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are wonderful, a car seat's safety is only as good as the car that you use to drive. There are tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your child's car seat and learn more about the vehicle's safety features.
When choosing an infant seat, remember that you will only be able to use it for approximately 2 years before your child is ready to move to an convertible seat. This is the reason why some families decide to leave out an infant car seat and move straight to a convertible car seat, which has higher height and weight limits. If you choose to purchase an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your car and try a few models before choosing one. Then, you can ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car and has useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product before you buy it. It's the most important aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.
Easy of Use
You're looking for a car seats for your infant that is easy to attach and remove from the base regardless of whether you plan to use it in a single vehicle or shift it between multiple. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Think about how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.
A great feature that many infant seats come with is a load leg, that acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle floor to offer additional stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older vehicle, because the chance of a head injury is greater if the infant is sitting too close to the floor.
Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. These include a non rethread harness, and an anti-rebound bar that helps keep the seat from bouncing during a crash. The latter has been proven to decrease the risk of head injury by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat with a few key premium features I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has been awarded an exemplary rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline settings, as well as an extendable canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.
Another thing to look out for is an infant seat that can be installed by a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. That's ideal for parents who intend to take taxis or Uber rides and doesn't require an extra trip back and forth to the car to install a different seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance include a strong LATCH that's built into the seat's bottom making them easy and easy to install. It can also be used with a rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to an highback booster or a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 pounds). This is a great choice for those on a tight budget.
Comfort
It is essential that your child is comfortable in their car seat, particularly if they are there for a long time. This means padded straps on their shoulders, plush material that is comfortable against their tummy and back and a headrest that expands with them to accommodate their growing body. Choose an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow, and.
While a seat that has a lot of 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, premium LATCH connectors and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also consider the weight and size of the seat, as a heavy or large seat can put stress on your biceps as you move it in and out of your vehicle, or even between vehicles.
Another option is a seat with a load-leg, which is a safety feature which helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. This extra safety feature is typically only found in expensive seats but there are some affordable models that come with it.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs at around the age of two or three. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be transformed into a toddler's car seat. This will allow you a little more flexibility in your vehicle and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.
Our testers loved the Doona that is a combination of an infant car seat and stroller in one. It's a great option for parents who are constantly moving around, particularly those who take public transportation to commute to work or to school. It's also easy to install, and our expert testers praised the ease of using the latch with one hand and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact and lightweight, which is essential for those who have a small trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemical, which is a big benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's environment and health.
Convenience
The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows, the top infant car seats come with convenience features that allow parents to get in and out with a minimal amount of effort. Be sure to consider whether the seat can be washed by a machine (to simplify cleaning) and if it has a canopy. This is useful in the car as well as on the stroller.
A feature on the base could save you much time and headaches. It will let you know when it's been put in place correctly. This line is on the side of the base and should be in line with the ground once you've finished. best car seats 's especially useful if you're going to be switching the car seat frequently, or if you intend to travel with your child and need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.
Another benefit is the ability to attach a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to transport your baby's child from the car to the grocery store or out for errands without having to lug around an additional carrier. This can be a great advantage for parents with newborns who want to get back to their routine after a long commute or outing with their newborn.
If you are expecting your child to grow rapidly pick a car seat for infants that have a greater weight or height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for longer.
All car seats sold in the United States must comply with federal safety standards, but that does not mean they are all created in the same way. Certain seats come with additional features, such as load legs that support the base of a car seat to increase stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the chance of head injuries during crashes. Other extras, such as a no-rethread harness and an extended canopy, can help create a more relaxing ride for baby and help you to be a happier and more confident parent.