kenyakitty52

How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat What do you want from your seat? “If you need an automobile seat that can expand with your child think about an all-in-one seat like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and can convert into a high-back and backless booster. The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Other helpful features include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash. Safety They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, which is why they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car or put on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important since you'll likely need to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The car seat for infants is designed to last for your child through the first year. This means you won't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent but it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research prior to making a purchase. Take a look at reviews written by other parents and looking at car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families. Look for features that will be useful to your family. For instance, an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features make it easier to buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats are useless if they are not used correctly. Other things to consider are the width and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant seats can be installed in your vehicle alongside older car seats. Some can be able to grow with your child and convert to an adult booster in the same time. Also, if newborn car seat intend to use your car seat to travel or to take taxis, an infant car seat that can be installed using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a great option. In general it's best to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, because the cheapest models usually do not meet the highest crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify. Convenience The best car seat for your infant is the one that will fit in the vehicle of your family and is easy to install and use, and has handy features such as an integrated stroller or a rotation ability. It should be affordable. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and used as a toddler and infant seat. Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the infant out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or frequently switches between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and come with clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily install the car seat properly installed. You must also be able to turn the seat around and lock it when you're not using it, and have easy access to the buckles and harness straps. When you purchase an infant car seat, be sure to determine its weight and height limitations. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. A good guideline is to select a car seat that will grow with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile. Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate additional features like crash-testing as well as comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just great crash protection. It also has load legs, which can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40%. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth it to invest more in a car seat with added safety and convenience features. Comfort The comfort factor is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an infant car seat since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable ones are made of comfortable, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't need the rethreading. The weight and size of the car seat for infants will also affect the comfort particularly if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are tinier which makes it easier to place them in the back seat with other car seats or even siblings' seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are a bit lighter than others. This could help keep your biceps from becoming sore when you carry it between vehicles. Some infant car seats offer extra features that make them more flexible like rotational options or the ability to convert into a stroller without the need for additional adapters. Certain models include premium features such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and bar that prevents rebound to give you extra security in the event of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't necessary to ensure safety, but they can improve the overall experience. In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents need a clean and comfortable car seat for their child. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking new. Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers enjoy the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat also includes a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby safe and quiet and also an indicator that informs you whether it's securely attached to the base. The seat's adjustable carry handle as well as harness tightener indicator indicate when it is properly attached to the base. Design Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the dizzying array of features available makes it difficult to decide what's the best fit for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors such as weight and height limits, as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Other features like anti-rebound bar, load legs, and no-rethread straps may increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Consider features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotating mechanisms. You'll also want to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the base, as not all seats fit in every vehicle. One feature that's especially important is the ease of installation and disconnecting from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they are rigid or flexible. You should also consider whether the straps can be easily tightened and loosened and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat. Certain models let you use the seat without a base which can be convenient when you frequently take taxis or if you are planning to switch cars often. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to make sure that the seat is placed properly. Other features worth paying extra for include a headrest that grows with the growing baby, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers have also noted that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or backless booster after the baby has finished using it is a benefit. The Doona is an infant car seat that delights parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats, which is why our testers have rated it as top in all categories. It's approved for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. The results of its crash tests are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.