12 Companies That Are Leading The Way In Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the best car seat infant car seats uk Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you are looking for a car seat that can expand with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton suggests. The seat can be transformed to a high-back booster or an unbackless booster. It has a large rear facing infant car seat-facing weight limitation.

It also scores highly in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft and machine-washable padding. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that limit movement in a crash.

Safety

Dedicated infant car seats are designed to fit small babies best, and so they generally come with more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is important because you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The infant car seat is also designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't need to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.

It's an excellent idea, however, to do some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews 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.

Find features that will benefit your family. For instance, a one-handed release of the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with a spring-loaded mechanism. These types of features can help you buckle your baby faster and easier however, you must remember that even the safest of seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them in a proper manner.

The weight and the width of the car seat is also crucial. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit alongside older car seats in the back of your car Some can grow with your child, and move to an adult seat while you're at it. And finally, if you intend to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed using only the seat belt of your vehicle is a good alternative.

In general, you should buy the safest car seat that you can afford. The cheapest models don't always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For instance, it's best car seats for newborns to stay clear of models that do not include side crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are ones that fit inside your vehicle with your family and are easy to install, and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or the ability to rotate. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. They can be more expensive if they are convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat.

Convenience features include how easy it is to put in the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the headrest and harness without taking the baby out of the seat. Installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially for children who ride Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat should be light and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

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. Before purchasing an infant car seat, it's important to determine its weight and height limits. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. In general, you should select the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach the 90% percentile.

While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum, some manufacturers go above and over to provide additional crash testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of a baby seat that offers much more than just good crash protection. It also comes with load legs, which helps stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces forces on the body of the child by 40 percent. This feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for a car seat that is safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats are made of the thick, breathable fabric as well as generous padding on the headrest and harness. They also have simple adjustment mechanisms, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading.

The size and weight of a car seat for infants can affect comfort, particularly in the event that you intend to change cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are narrower than others, which makes them easier to fit in the back of the car with a car seat or other siblings seats. And, while they all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others--which can prevent your biceps from getting sore when you carry it between vehicles.

Certain infant car seats come with additional features that make them more adaptable including rotational options or the capability to connect to a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include top-quality features like an adjustable no-rethread strap or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra safety in case of a crash. Although these features aren't essential for a safe ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.

Parents want their children to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher which makes it easier to keep them looking brand new.

Some models go over and beyond to ensure that their customers get an enjoyable and safe experience. For example, the Graco SnugRide (tm) Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) which is designed to withstand both rear facing infant car seat and front collisions. The seat also comes with a Silent Shade canopy that keeps your baby calm and comfortable, as well as an indicator that informs you that it's attached correctly to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the myriad of features available can make it difficult to determine which one is best for your family. You'll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits and the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the price but may improve comfort for baby. You may also think about features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all cars.

One feature that's especially important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. This is affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors and whether they're rigid or flexible. Also, you should think about whether the straps are able to be easily tightened or loosen and if there is an easy release mechanism that allows you to install and remove the seat.

Some models let you use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient for those who plan to change cars or take taxis frequently. To ensure that your seat is properly installed, look for models with bubble level indicators as well as a built-in locking mechanism.

Some features may be worth the extra cost like the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature and a canopy that extends and locks into the position. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat that can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster after the baby has completed using it is an additional bonus.

The Doona is an infant car seat that delights parents. It has many features that solve almost every issue families have with infant car seats. This is why our test participants gave it top marks across the spectrum. It's approved for air travel and has an anti-rebound handle and can be converted into a stroller. The crash test results are outstanding and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.