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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Car seats are a must-have for parents. What makes one car seat better than the other? A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easy transportation outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, such as premium lower-anchor connectors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, consider safety features such as load legs and body cushions for the head and neck. Safety As any parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat for your child is among the most crucial decisions that you can make. The right seat will make sure that your child is placed properly and is adequately protected in the event of a car crash. Not all car seats are equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration However, not all car seats come with the same features. Some seats have features that are designed to protect infants. For example, load legs minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces on the car seat and base. Other features include bubble levels that make installation easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby. Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit tiny babies best and often come with extra crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, says Choi. Additionally, they're generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for daycare and ride-share drop-offs and pick-ups. And because they'll only last through the first year of your baby's life it's possible to purchase an older model for only a fraction of the cost. Another point to keep in mind is that, while a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat is even more important to the safety of your child. In fact, a study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital found that 95 percent of parents have made at least one serious mistake when installing or positioning their car seat. This is why it's a great idea to take a few minutes to learn the proper car seat usage guidelines before your baby arrives. We suggest that you select a car seat that has clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it's easy to carry around with your baby. Check to see if the infant car seat you're considering fits your vehicle's size requirements. If you're worried about your capability to install and operate the car seat correctly by yourself, you may want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before the baby is born for a hands-on tutorial. Convenience Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it simpler to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they may have a base into which the seat can be clicked into and out, or they may feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features make it simpler to remove and install the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care. It is also crucial to think about the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If your baby is growing quickly, it might be worthwhile to invest in an infant car seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to utilize it for as long as you want. In addition to safety features, your infant's car seat should also be comfortable. Choose padded straps that will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and for soft fabrics that feel comfortable beneath them. It's also an excellent idea to select an infant seat that has the option of lying flat, which allows your newborn to ride in a more reclined position that helps keep their airways open and their oxygen levels high. Dr. Segura warns you that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat since they are not crash-tested and may be unsafe. You should also avoid purchasing used car seats for infants, as they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out. The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to more than $600. However they all have a few features. They are all lightweight, easy to install and remove, and are comfortable for the child. Some have extra features that make them more adaptable. For example they can pivot or clip onto strollers without the need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the top infant car seats for more information on the various options on the market. Comfort The top infant car seats feature comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that eliminates the need to hold both straps simultaneously, as well as 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 without a base, a lighter one is better. The Baby Trend Secure Lift is a good example. It weighs less that 13 pounds. The weight and height limits of infant car seats are also important. If you plan to keep the car seat for a while choose a model that can grow with your baby and will fit them well into the toddler years. You'll be in a position to use it for a longer period of time and save money on a second car seat. You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or larger than other models. The first one is useful for smaller vehicles. infant car seat that swivels may be beneficial if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you plan to use a car seat with a pram, you should choose one that is compatible with the most popular strollers and comes with detachable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that can meet this requirement. Examine the rating of a car seat to determine its user-friendliness. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened — like bubble levels or color-coded markings—can assist in easing the burden on parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing pieces found under the seat or on the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force of a crash. There are accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience of your car seat. Be aware that anything not included with the seat hasn't passed safety tests. “Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, including a blanket or harness you shouldn't put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style For parents who are new, figuring out how to pick the best car seat for your infant can be a bit of an issue. It is important to determine what your budget is and the features that you want. There are a lot of choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's suitable for your baby. For example, it's worth noting that infant-specific seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some may include extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to make them last longer). They usually have a greater number of recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which is beneficial for parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to serve two purposes. Another important thing to remember is that car seat width and weight are important elements for families with a large number of children. For instance, certain infant car seats are designed to be narrower than others for a better fit in the back of your car or for use with siblings in their seats. Others are heavy enough to really test your biceps by lifting and move from car to stroller. When it comes to convenience, many parents prefer infant car seats that have the ability to go from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, particularly on days when you have to run errands. Other features that are useful include a no-rethread harness with magnetic buckle holders, as well as an easy-to-install process. Find a head-and-body-support insert to prevent infants from slumping into the carrier or seat when they fall asleep. Certain car seats come with rigid latches that open from the base when installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and limits the amount of movement a car seat can move in an accident.