How Much Do Infant Car Seats Best Experts Earn?
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 special infant seat is the ideal choice for infants who aren't big enough. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to move outside of the vehicle. Consider features that are convenient, such as premium lower-anchor connectors and harness pads that are not rethreading, and single button handles. Also, look out for safety features like load legs and head/body cushions. Safety As every parent will tell you, selecting the right car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. The right seat will ensure that your child is positioned correctly and properly secured in the event of a crash. Not all car seats are created equal. While every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Certain models come with special features to protect infants, like load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the force of impact 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 baby. Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to fit babies the best. They often come with crash-tested inserts, which can help achieve this. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily moved to strollers which makes them perfect for ride shares and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. You can buy a used one at less than the cost as they're only used for your baby's first 12 months. A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are essential however, the way you use your child's car seat is more important. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital revealed that 95% parents made a mistake at least once when installing or altering their car seat. This is why it's a great idea to take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend that you choose a car seat with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light enough it's easy to carry around with your baby. You should also check to verify that the car seat for infants you're thinking of purchasing meets the requirements for size for your vehicle. If you're concerned about your own ability to install and operate the car seat correctly take it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive an in-person tutorial prior to when your baby's birth. Convenience Some infant car seats have extra features that make them easier to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them easier to use. For instance, they might have a base into which the seat can be pushed into and out, or they could feature an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism. These features can help make it more convenient to attach and remove the car seat, especially when you have a child to take care of. The weight and height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into account. If your baby is growing rapidly it may be worth purchasing a car seat with greater limits to ensure you can utilize it for as long as you want. In addition to the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for padded straps which don't rub or pinch their shoulders, and look for soft fabrics that feel comfortable beneath them. It's also a good idea to choose a seat with a lie-flat mode that allows your baby to be in a reclined position that helps keep their airways open and oxygen levels high. Dr. Segura warns you that you should avoid buying any accessories for infant car seats that aren't included in the seat, because they haven't been tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Also, avoid buying used infant car seats, since they may have been involved in an accident and may be damaged or worn out. While the top infant car seats cost between $100 and $600 There are a few things that the top choices have in common. They're all lightweight, simple to set up and remove and are comfortable for infants. Some have features that make them more flexible such as the ability to rotate and clip into strollers, without the need for additional adapters. For more information about the various options available, take a look at our review of the top infant car seats. Comfort The best infant car seats come 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 removes the need to grasp both sides of the strap simultaneously, as well as cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. It is also important to consider the weight of the seat. Because you'll be using it without a base, a lighter one is preferred. The Baby Trend Secure Lift for instance, weighs less that 13 pounds. The weight limit and height of infant car seats are crucial. If you are planning to keep the car seat, select a model that will adapt to your child's needs and fit them into toddlerhood. You'll be able to use it for longer and save money on a second car seat. You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. This could be a boon for smaller vehicles, and the latter is a benefit for families with two children in back-to-back car seats or require driving with three children in the back seat at some point. If you plan to use the car seat with a stroller, look for one that has detachable car seats that are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Brands like Graco or Nuna have options that will meet your needs. Review the rating of a car seat to determine its the ease of use. Guides and indicators clearly labeled that indicate the seat is level and securely fastened—like bubble levels or color codes—can assist in easing the burden on the new parents. Some seats have innovative features, like load legs. They are shock-absorbing components that extend from the seat base or underneath the seat all the way to the floor of your vehicle and absorb some impact force during a crash. You'll also find some accessories that claim to improve 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 vetted for safety. Segura advises that you shouldn't place anything in your car seat, such as an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought elsewhere. Style It can be difficult for parents with young children to determine the best infant car seats. It's essential to know your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are many options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. But it all comes down to comfort. It is important to know that convertible car seats aren't as suitable for small babies and are only suitable up to the age of one year. Some even include extended kits that have been tested in a crash that will allow them to last longer. They also tend to include more recline settings to allow proper positioning of smaller children, and are generally lighter, making it easier to carry around. They are more likely to be compatible when used with an existing travel system. This is a great option for new parents looking to save money and time by purchasing seats that serve two purposes. Car seat weight and width are also important factors to consider for most families. Certain infant car seats, for example are narrower and can fit better in the back of your vehicle or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller. Many parents prefer the infant car seat that can be changed from base to carrier and then click into a stroller without any extra attachments. This can save you a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you are running around for errands. Other convenient features include the magnetic buckle holder, a no-rethread strap, and a simplified installation process. Look for infant car seat rear facing -and-body support insert to prevent infants from collapsing into the carrier or seat as they fall asleep. Most car seats use flexible straps to secure their lower anchor connectors but there are some that have latches that are rigid and flip out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This type of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of the event of a crash.