How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Think about what you'd like from your car seat. "If you are looking for a car seat that can grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model such as the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton advises. The seat comes with a long rear-forward facing infant car seat weight limit, and it can be converted into an incline-back booster and a backless one.

The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Other helpful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that help to limit movement in a crash.

Safety

They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they are more comfortable than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from the car or connect to a stroller frame which is crucial since you will be required to transport your child's seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child through the first year. This means that you don't have to worry about your child exceeding its weight or height limit.

It's a good idea to do some research prior to you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict guidelines for car seats. You might want to read reviews from other parents and reading car seat safety guides from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.

Look for features that will help your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features could make buckling your baby faster and easier however, you must remember that even the safest of seats are useless when you don't use them correctly.

Other factors to be aware of are the weight and width of the car seat. Many infant seats can be installed in your vehicle along with older car seats. Some of them can expand with your child, and can be converted to a booster simultaneously. If you plan to use the car seat to travel or take taxis, then an infant car seat which can be put in place using only the seat belt of your vehicle is an ideal choice.

In general it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, since the cheapest models usually do not meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. For instance, it's recommended to avoid models that don't include side impact crash testing and allow companies to self-certify their products.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are those that fit in your family vehicle and are easy to install, and have convenient extras such as a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should also be affordable. Infant seats range in price from around $180 to over $500. They may cost more when they are convertible and used as a toddler and portable infant car seat seat.

Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat using either LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you can adjust the headrest and harness without removing the infant out of the seat. Installing and taking it off should be easy, especially when your child rides in Ubers or you often switch between cars. The seat must also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.

You should be able easily to adjust the buckles and harness and also turn the seat around when it is not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you buy it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. In general, you should select a car seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach 90 percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go above and beyond to include additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that provides more than just good crash protection. It also has an element that helps stabilize the seat in crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40 percent. This feature could save a child’s life. It's worth the extra money spent on car seats with added convenience features and safety.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature large, breathable fabrics as well as plenty of padding in the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require rethreading.

The weight and size of the portable infant car seat car seat will also affect the comfort especially if it's being used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, which makes them easier to fit into the back seat alongside another car seat or 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 aching when carrying it around town or between vehicles.

Certain infant car seats come with extra features that make them more flexible, such as rotational options or the capability to connect to a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Some models come with high-end features, such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety in case of a crash. While these extra features aren't essential for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience of using the seat.

In addition to safety and convenience factors, many parents want a clean, comfortable car seat for their baby. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go above and beyond to ensure that their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, which boasts an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat comes with a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and has an indicator that lets you know that the seat is properly secured. The seat's adjustable carry handle, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.

Design

Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the variety of features available makes it difficult to determine which one is the best car seat newborn fit for your family. It is important to take into account aspects like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, no-rethread harnesses can add to the price but may improve comfort for baby. Consider features that help you get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. Be sure to be aware of the dimensions and weight of the seat, since not all seats will fit in all vehicles.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is one feature that is important. This can be affected by the quality of the LATCH connectors as well as whether they're strong or flexible. Also, you should be aware of whether the straps can be easily tightened or loosen and if they have a one-hand release mechanism to remove and install the seat.

Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which is convenient if your plan is to switch cars or take taxis often. To make sure that your seat is correctly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators and integrated locking mechanism.

Certain features might be worth the extra cost, such as the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature, and a canopy that extends and locks into the position. Our product testers also mentioned the fact that a seat can be used for a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is an added bonus.

Doona is an infant car seat that will spoil parents. It's packed with features that address nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is the reason our testers gave it top marks across every category. For instance, it's approved for use on planes, and features a unique handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also transforms directly into strollers (no need for separate stroller adapter). The crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.