Best Infant Seat Features
All infant seats have to meet federal safety standards. However some go above. From extra padding to cushioned inlay for newborns to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread our Best of the Bump winner offers many features parents will appreciate.
We considered factors like weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and prices when selecting our top picks. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading on.
Safety
All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features that are above and beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated strap-holding sides, and so on. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair includes, the are more efficient.
The more intuitive the car seat, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will reduce the chance of injuries to their child during a crash. This is especially true for an infant seat, since it's only designed to last for an extremely short time. Find a seat that is easy to install, with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to help keep the seat in a perfect position. 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 for carrying the seat. Remember that even though these features are wonderful, a car seat's safety is only as good as the vehicle in which you drive. Check out the car's owner's manual to learn how to ensure the safety of your infant's seat as well as to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.
When you're choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be in a position to use it for about 2 years until your child is old enough to transition to a convertible car seat. Some families skip the infant car seat completely and opt for a convertible car, which has an increased weight and height limits. If top rated infant car seats decide to buy an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your car and test out several models in person before choosing one. You can then ensure that the seat is comfortable for your child, fits inside your car and also has useful features such as the ability to convert it into a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product before you purchase it. It's the most important aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.
Easy to Use
You're looking for a car seats for your baby that is easy to attach and remove from the base, regardless of whether you plan to use it in one vehicle or shift it between multiple. You should look for clear instructions on installation and a smooth mechanism. Think about how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials used.
Some infant seats have the load leg. It's a brace that acts as a support between the seat's base and the vehicle's floor, providing extra stability in case of an accident. It's a vital feature to have if you own an older car, as the risk of injury to the head in a crash is greater when an infant is seated near to the floor, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.
Other high-end features can enhance the infant car seat experience. They include a no rethread harness, as well as an anti-rebound bar to keep the seat from bouncing in a crash. The latter has been shown to decrease the chance of sustaining head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with a few key premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has been awarded an outstanding rating from child-passenger safety technicians and features an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline settings, plus an extendable canopy that can be secured by magnets to provide full coverage.
A seat that can be easily installed with just lapbelts and does not require the necessity of a base is another option. This is a good option for parents who intend to take Uber or taxi rides, because it eliminates the need to get back in the car each time to replace a seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems, for example include a strong LATCH that's built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and easy to install. It can also be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to a highback booster or belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 pounds). This is a great choice if you're on a budget.
Comfort
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat, especially when they're there for a long period of time. This includes padded shoulder straps as well as soft fabrics that feel cozy against their tummy or back, and a growing headrest. Also, look for a seat that is easy to alter as your child grows.
While a seat with lots of features might cost more but they're also generally easier to use. That's why we look at things like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also consider the weight and dimensions of the seat, because the weight or size of the seat can put stress on your biceps while you carry it in and out of your vehicle, or even between vehicles.
Another option is a seat with a load-leg, which is a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. This safety feature is usually available in high-end seats, however, there are a few budget-friendly models that have it.
The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll want to ensure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. It usually occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be converted into a toddler's seat. This option will give you a bit more flexibility in your vehicle and is perfect for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.
Our testers loved the Doona that is a combination of an infant car seat and stroller into one unit. It's ideal for parents who are always moving around, particularly those who use public transportation to commute to work or to school. It is also easy to install. Our testers who were experts in the field praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also noted how small the seat is, which is a must for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of any flame retardant chemical, which is a big advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.
Convenience
The best infant car seats are simple to use. The best infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Other important features to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy that can be useful in the car as well as attached to a stroller.
One feature that might seem like a small deal but can save you a lot of hassle is a meter on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. The line should be parallel to the ground and is situated on the base. This is especially helpful in the event that you will be changing the car seat frequently or when your child will be traveling with you and you'll need to connect it to Ubers or taxis.
Another feature that is beneficial is the possibility of attaching an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping infant from the car to the supermarket or out on errands, without having to wrestle with an additional carrier. This could be a game changer for parents with newborns who want to return to their day after an extended commute or a trip with their newborn.
If you expect your baby to grow quickly opt for a car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for longer.
While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are made to be equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that brace the seat's base to improve stability and an anti-rebound bar that reduces the risk of head injuries in crashes. Other extras, such as the no-rethread harness or an extendable canopy, can also provide a more relaxing ride for your baby and allow you become a more relaxed and more confident parent.