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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Car seats are a must-have for parents. What is it that makes one car seat better than the other? A specially designed infant seat is ideal for the smallest of babies and is lighter to facilitate transport outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, like premium connectors for lower anchors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, look into security features like load legs and body/head cushions. Safety As every parent knows, choosing the right car seat is among the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The right seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and adequately secured in the event of a car crash. While every car seat sold in the US must conform to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all car seats are created equal. Certain models come with special features to protect infants, such as load legs that help reduce movement during crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the base of the car seat and others have built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that increase with your baby. Car seats for infants are also designed to fit small babies best, and typically include crash-tested seats to accomplish this, says Choi. They're also lighter than a convertible car seat and can easily be converted into a stroller. This makes them suitable for daycare drop-offs, ride-shares and pick-ups. You can purchase an used one for only a fraction of the cost because they're only good for your baby's first 12 months. A high NHTSA score and excellent crash test results are crucial however, the way you use the car seat of your child is more important. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital showed that 95% of parents made at least one mistake when installing or changing their car seat. It is important to familiarize yourself prior to when your baby is born with appropriate guidelines for car seats. We suggest that you select a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so that it is easy to carry around your baby. It is also important to verify that the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the dimensions required for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to set up and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might want to take it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby is born for a hands-on demonstration. Convenience Some infant car seats have extra features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them easier to use. For instance, they might include a base that the seat can be clicked in and out, or they could include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it easier to set up and remove the car seat, especially in the event that you have a child in your care. The weight and height limits of a car seat for infants are other important aspects to take into account. If your baby is growing quickly, it might be worth investing in a car-seat with higher limits to ensure that you are able to utilize it for as long as you'd like. In addition to safety features, your baby's car seat should also be comfortable. Find comfortable straps that don't touch or squeeze their shoulders and plush fabric that feels cozy under them for extended durations. infant car seat rear facing 's also an excellent idea to select an infant seat that has an option to lie flat, which allows your newborn to be in a reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high. Dr. Segura warns you that you should not buy any accessories for infant car seats that are not included in the seat, since they are not tested for crash safety and could be dangerous. Avoid buying a used car seats for infants because they may be involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn. The top infant car seats are priced from $100 to more than $600. However they all have some characteristics. They're all light, easy to put in and take off and comfortable for infants. Some come with additional features that make them even more versatile. For example they can pivot or clip onto strollers with no need for adapters. Take a look at our review of the best infant car seats for more details on the different options on the market. Comfort The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easier to get baby in and out of the seat. This features a single-handed latch system that removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. In addition, you'll need to consider how much the seat weighs—you'll be using it without a base, for instance and a lighter weight is the best. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds. Other important aspects include the height and weight limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a while, look for an infant car seat that will adapt to your baby's needs and fit them into the toddler years. You can keep it for longer and save money by not purchasing an additional seat. It is also important to consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it is narrower or wider than other models. The first one is useful for smaller vehicles. The second option could be helpful when you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you plan to use the car seat along with strollers, you should look for one that can be detached from car seats and is compatible with most popular strollers. Brands such as Graco or Nuna have options that meet your needs. For ease of use, look up the rating the car seat is given for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened – like bubble levels or color codes—can assist in easing the burden on the new parents. Certain seats come with innovative features, such as load legs. These are shock-absorbing parts that extend from the base or beneath the seat to the vehicle's floor and absorb some impact force during a crash. There are also a few accessories that claim to enhance the comfort of your car seat and convenience, but remember that any product not included in conjunction with the car seat hasn't been evaluated or approved for safety. “Anything you purchase that isn't directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style It can be difficult for parents with young children to figure out the best infant car seats. It's important that you know your budget and the features you'd like. There are a variety of options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort. For instance, it's worth noting that infant-specific seats fit small babies better than convertible car seats and are suitable for the first year of life (though some may have extended kits that have been tested and crash-tested to ensure they last longer). They also have more recline modes for proper positioning of smaller children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system, which is beneficial for new parents trying to save time and money by buying one seat that will perform double duty. Car seat weight and width are important factors to consider for most families. For instance, some infant car seats are designed to be smaller than others to allow a better fit in the back seat of your car, or to be used in conjunction with siblings seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them up and transfer them from the car to the stroller. Many parents opt for an the infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then transform into a stroller, without any additional attachments. This can save you a lot of time, particularly on busy days where you have to run around for errands. Other features that are useful include a magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a simple installation process. Look for a head-and-body support insert to stop infants from collapsing into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep. Some car seats feature rigid latches that open from the base when they are installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of an accident.