You'll Never Guess This Best Infant Seat's Tricks

Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats meet federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will love, including extra padding, a padded inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

We considered factors like weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and price when choosing our top picks. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

Every infant car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that hold the straps and more. The more features a car seat has the more comfortable, according to the experts I spoke to.

The more intuitive a car seat, the more likely that parents will use it properly. This will reduce their child’s risk of injury in a crash. This is especially true for an infant seat, since it's only designed to last for only a brief period of time. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and an adjustable foot with a spring for making it easy to set the seat. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Some car seat manufacturers provide high-end features like a no-rethread strap, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips for the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful but the safety of your car seat is only as good as the vehicle in which you drive. Go through the owner's manual to learn how to ensure the safety of your infant's seat as well as to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat swivel car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be able to use it for approximately 2 years until your child is ready to move to convertible car seats. 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 weight and height limits. When buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your car and test different models before settling on one. You can then make sure the seat is suitable for your child, fits well in your car and has convenient extras like converting into a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product before you purchase it. It's the most critical aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.

Simple to Use

You're looking for a car seat for your infant that is simple to attach and remove from the base, whether you intend to use it in one vehicle or shift it between multiple. Look for clear installation instructions and a smooth operation. Also consider how it is easy to alter the car seat as your baby grows, and the quality of the materials used.

Some infant seats include the load leg. It's a brace that acts as a support between the seat's base and the floor of the vehicle and provides extra stability in case of a collision. It's a vital feature for those who drive an older car, as the risk of injury to the head in a crash is greater when a baby is seated near to the ground, as per research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other top features that enhance the infant car seat user experience include a harness that is not rethread and an anti-rebound bar that can prevent the seat from rebounding during the event of a crash. The latter has been shown by research to reduce the chance of head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat that has several key features that are premium I would recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an excellent rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions and an extended canopy that secures with magnets to ensure complete coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with a lapbelt and without the requirement for a base is another option. That's ideal for parents who plan to use taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require the journey back and forth to the car to install a different seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance are equipped with a sturdy LATCH that's built into the bottom of their seats, making them quick and easy to install. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds), and it converts into a highback or belt-positioning booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. It's a great option for families with a limited budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat, especially if they are there for a long period of time. This means straps that are padded on their shoulders, a plush fabric that is soft against their tummy and back and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Find a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow as well.

While a car seat with lots of features may be more expensive however, they are also more convenient to use. When we evaluate a car seat for infants we take into consideration things like a one-hand system harness, top LATCH connectors and no rethread harness. We also pay attention to dimensions and weight, since an overly heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps while you carry it in and out of your car or between cars.

Another good infant car seats choice is a car seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. This additional safety feature is usually found in expensive seats however, there are a few affordable models that include it.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll want to make sure that the seat will remain safe for your child after they reach their maximum growth spurt, which is usually around age two or three. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that can be converted into a toddler's car seat. This type of seat offers more flexibility and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller into one unit. It's the perfect pick for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school by public transportation. It's also easy to put in. Our expert testers praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also remarked how the seat is compact, which is a must for those with limited trunk space. Plus, it's free of any flame retardant chemicals which is a major advantage for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seat cheap infant car seats car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are smooth and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically raise as your child grows the best infant car seats come with convenience features to help parents get into and out with minimum of fuss. Other important features to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleaning easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which can be useful in the car and also attached to a stroller.

A feature on the base can save much time and headaches. It will let you know when it's been properly installed. This line is located on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. This is particularly useful when you're going to change the car seat frequently or the baby will be traveling with you and you need to connect it to taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it easy to carry your baby to the supermarket or for running errands. You don't have to struggle with an additional carrier. This can be a life-changing feature for parents looking to return to normal after a lengthy trip or a commute with a baby car seat.

If your baby is expected to grow quickly, you should choose an infant car seat that has more weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat in use for longer.

All car seats sold in America must meet federal safety regulations However, that doesn't mean that they are all in the same way. Certain models have features that go above and beyond, like load legs that brace the base of the car seat to provide extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of injury to the head in crashes. Other features, such as the no-rethread harness or an extendable canopy, could help create a more relaxing ride for baby and help you be a happier, more confident parent.