You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Best Infant Seat's Secrets

Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. Our best car seats for newborns uk of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love with extra padding, a cushioned inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

When deciding on our top picks, we considered factors such as weight (without base) stroller compatibility, extra features, and price. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards. However, some seats have extra features that go above the minimum standards. These include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that hold the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair has, they better.

The more comfortable a car seat is for users it, the more likely parents will be to use it in a safe manner and decrease their child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is particularly important for an infant car seat newborn seat, since it's only designed for a short period of time. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to set the seat. Make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.

Other top features that some car seat makers offer include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips to carry the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are great, a car seat's safety is only as good as the car that you use to drive. Check out the car's owner's manual for tips on how to properly secure your infant's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When you're choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll probably only be allowed to use it for approximately two years before your child is old enough to transition to convertible car seats. Some families choose to skip the infant seat entirely and choose to purchase a convertible car that has greater weight and height limit. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try out a variety of models in person prior to choosing one. Then, you can ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, can fit in your car and includes handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Also, make sure to look for recalls prior to making the purchase. It's the most crucial factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

You're looking for a car seats for your baby that is easy to attach and remove from the base, whether you intend to use it in a single vehicle or move it between multiple. Look for clear instructions on installation and a simple mechanism. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.

One of the best features that infant seats include is a load leg, which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and the vehicle floor to offer additional stability in the event of collision. This is a crucial feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of injury to the head in a crash is greater when an infant is seated near to the ground, as per research by Consumer Reports.

Other high-end features can enhance the baby car seat experience. These include a non rethread harness, and an anti-rebound bar that can help stop the seat from bouncing in a crash. This has been proven by research to decrease the risk for head injuries by as much as 43%. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat newborn seat with some of the most important premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an exemplary rating from child safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions as well as an extendable canopy that is secured with magnets for full coverage.

Another thing to look out for is an infant seat that is able to be set up with just a lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need the return trip to the car to put in a different seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's built right into the bottom of the seat, making it quick and easy to put in any vehicle. It can also be used rear-facing (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 between 40 and 120 pounds. This is a great option for those on a tight budget.

Comfort

If your child is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's essential that they feel safe. That means padded straps on their shoulders, plush material that is comfortable against their back and stomach and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Also, look for a seat that is easy to alter as your child grows.

A car seats newborn seat with a variety of features can be more expensive, but is also easier to use. This is why we consider factors like a one-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also consider the dimensions and weight, as a heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.

A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is another good choice. It's usually found in expensive seats, but we've seen a couple of budget-friendly options that have this extra safety measure.

Another important consideration is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat will still be safe for your child after they reach their peak growth spurt usually between the ages of two and three. You should also consider a convertible infant car seat best car seat that converts into a toddler seat. This option gives you more flexibility when you drive and is perfect for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona which is a combination of a car seat for an infant and a stroller into one unit. It's perfect for parents who are constantly moving around, particularly those who take public transportation to commute to work or go to school. It's also easy to put in, and our expert testers appreciated the ease of using the latch that is one-handed and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted how the seat is compact and is an essential for those with limited trunk space. Additionally, it's free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are easy to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten and loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows, the top infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get in and out with a minimum of hassle. Other important aspects to consider are whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which can be useful in the car and also attached to the stroller.

A feature on the base could save you a great deal of time and headaches. It lets you know if it has been installed correctly. The line is located on the side of the base and should be in line with the ground when you're done. It's especially useful when you'll be switching the car seat between vehicles often, or if you plan to travel with your child and you'll need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

Another benefit is the possibility of attaching a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it much easier to transport your baby's bundle of joy from the car to the supermarket or out on errands, without having to wrestle with an additional carrier. This can be a life-changing option for parents trying to return to normal after a long trip or commute with a child.

If you expect your baby to grow quickly pick a car seat designed for babies with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat in use for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are created equal. Some come with features that go above and beyond, like load legs that brace the base of the car seat to provide added stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Other features, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, can also make for an easier ride for baby and help you be a happier, more confident parent.