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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Parents should have car seats. 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. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors, non-rethreading harness pads, and single button handles. Also, consider safety features such as load legs and head/body cushions. Safety As any parent will tell you choosing the correct car seat is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make for your child. The best seat will make sure that your child is in a position correctly and properly protected in the event of a car crash. While every car seat sold in the US must meet the strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not all seats are created equal. Certain models have features specifically designed to protect infants, like load legs that limit movement during crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base and car seat, while others include built-in bubble levels that make for easy installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your child. Car seats specifically designed for infants are also designed to fit babies at their best, and typically include crash-tested seats to accomplish this, according to Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily moved to strollers making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. 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. A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are essential, but the method you use to install the car seat of your child is more important. A study conducted by Portland's top children's hospital revealed that 95% parents made at least one error when installing or altering their car seat. That's why it's a good idea to take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the proper car seat usage guidelines before your little one arrives. We suggest you look for a car seat with clear and concise instructions, is lightweight enough to easily carry with your baby in it, and comes with easy-to-use adjustments. You should also check to verify that the infant car seat you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat correctly you might want to bring it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) for an in-person tutorial prior to when the baby is born. Convenience Some infant car seats come with extra features that make it simpler to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they may have a base into which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. infant car seat for travel pushchairsandprams.uk make it simpler to install and remove the car seat – particularly in the event that you have a child in your care. It is also important to take into consideration the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If you have a child who is growing quickly, it may be worth the extra cost to purchase an infant car seat with higher limits so that you can utilize it for as long as is possible. Aside from the safety features, a baby car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for padded straps which 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 that allows your baby to ride in a more reclined position, which helps keep their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high. Dr. Segura warns that you should avoid buying 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 used infant car seat as they could be involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn. The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to more than $600. However they all have certain features. They're all lightweight, simple to set up and remove and comfortable for infants. Some even come with special features that make them more adaptable, like the ability to swivel and clip into strollers, without the need for adapters. For more information about the various options available, check out our comparison of best infant car seats. Comfort The best infant car seats are equipped with features for comfort 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 grip 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. Because you'll be using it with no base, a lighter seat is preferred. This Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds. Other factors to consider include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat. If you intend to keep the car seat for a while choose one that will grow with your baby and fit them into the toddler years. You can keep it for longer and save money by not purchasing a second seat. You'll also want to think about the seat's dimensions and whether it's wider or wider than other models. This could be a boon for vehicles with smaller dimensions, while the latter may be helpful when you have two kids in back-to-back car seats, or require driving with three children in the back seat at some point. If you are planning to use a car seat with a pram, select one that is compatible with the most popular strollers and has removable seats. Brands such as Graco or Nuna offer options to meet your needs. Review the rating of a car seat for user-friendliness. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that inform you that the seat is level and securely fastened—like bubble levels or color-coded markings—can aid in reducing stress on new parents. Some seats also have innovative features, such as load legs which are shock-absorbing components that are located under the seat or at the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some of the impact force of a crash. There are accessories that claim to enhance the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything that's not sold with the seat hasn't undergone safety testing. “Anything you buy that's not directly from the manufacturer, such as a blanket or harness you shouldn't put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style For parents who are new, figuring out how to choose the most suitable infant car seat can be a bit of an issue. It is important to determine the budget you have set and what features you're looking for. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics. However, it all boils down to comfort. It is important to know that convertible car seats aren't suitable for babies and can only be used until the age of one year. Some have crash-tested extensions kits that will allow them to last longer. They also include more recline settings to allow proper positioning of smaller children and are generally lighter to make it easier to carry. They are more likely to work when used with the travel system. This can be useful for parents who are new and want to save money and time by purchasing seats that serve two functions. Car seat weight and width are also important factors to consider for families with a large number of children. Certain infant car seats, for instance, are narrower to be able to fit in the back of your car or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller. Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier, and then click into a stroller without any additional attachments. This will save you a lot of time, especially on busy days when you're running errands with your kids. Other useful features include a magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Find a head-and-body-support insert to stop infants from settling into the seat or carrier as they sleep. Some car seats feature rigid latches that can be flipped out from the base when they are installed correctly. This type of installation is more secure and limits the amount that a seat can move in an accident.