Why Is It So Useful? During COVID-19
How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Car seats are an essential item for parents. What makes one seat superior to another? A special infant seat fits the smallest of babies and is lighter for easier transport outside the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, consider security features like load legs and body/head cushions. Safety As every parent will tell you, choosing the right car seat for your child is one of the most crucial decisions you can make. The correct seat will make sure that your child is placed correctly and properly protected in case of a car crash. Not all car seats are created equal. Although every seat sold in the US is required to conform to the strict safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Not all seats have the same features. Some models have features designed to safeguard infants. For instance load legs can minimize movement during crashes by absorbing impact forces onto the car seat and base. Others include bubble levels that allow for easy and adjustable headrests for your growing baby. Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to be able to accommodate babies in the best way. They usually include crash-tested inserts which help to achieve this. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats and are easily transferred to a stroller making them ideal for ride-sharing and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. And because they'll only last through your baby's first year it's possible to purchase an older model for a fraction of the cost. A high NHTSA score and great crash test results are essential however the method you use to install your child's car seat is more important. A study by Portland's most renowned children's hospital revealed that 95% of parents have made at least one error when installing or adjusting their car seat. That's why it's a good idea to spend 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 that has clear and concise instructions. It should also be lightweight so it's easy to carry around your baby. Make sure that the infant car seat you're thinking about purchasing meets the vehicle's size requirements. And if you're worried about your own ability to install and operate the car seat correctly, consider taking it to a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to receive an interactive session prior to the time your baby is born. Convenience Some infant car seats come with additional features that make it simpler to use. Certain infant car seats come with features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they may include a base that the seat can be clicked in and out, or they could have an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it more convenient to set up and remove the car seat, particularly when you have a child to take care of. It is also essential to consider the limits on height and weight for an infant car seat. If your child is growing quickly it may be worth investing in a car seat with greater limits to ensure you can use it as long as you'd like. Aside from the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for cushioned straps that don't squeeze or rub their shoulders and plush fabric that feels cozy beneath them for extended durations. It's also recommended to choose an infant seat that has a lie-flat mode, which allows your newborn to sit in a more relaxed position that keeps their airways open and their oxygen saturation levels high. There are many accessories for infant car seats however Dr. Segura advises against purchasing anything that is not included with the seat as it hasn't been crash tested and could be dangerous. Avoid buying used infant car seat as they could be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn. The best infant car seats cost from $100 to over $600. However they all share a few features. They are all lightweight and easy to install and take down, and are comfortable for the baby. 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. Check out our review of the best infant car seats to get more details on the different choices available. Comfort The best infant car seats come with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. This includes a one-handed latch that eliminates the need to hold both sides of the strap at the same time, and cushioned padding that makes it less painful to lift the seat. Additionally, you'll need to consider the weight of the seat—you'll be using it without a base after all so a lighter model is better. The Baby Trend Secure Lift, for instance, weighs less than 13 pounds. The weight limit and height of the infant car seats are important. If you intend to keep the car seat for a period of time you should look for one that will expand with your child and will fit them well into the toddler years. You can use it longer and save money by not buying another seat. You should also consider the dimensions of the seat and whether it's wider or wider than other models. The first one is useful for vehicles with smaller dimensions. The second could be beneficial if you have three children in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you're planning to use a car seat with a pram, you should choose one that is compatible with most popular strollers and comes with removable seats. Car seat brands such as Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this need. To make it easier to use, check out 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 aid in reducing stress on the new parents. check here have innovative features such as load legs, which are shock-absorbing components located beneath the seat or base which extend to the vehicle floor and absorb some of the force of a crash. There are also accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. But remember that anything that's not included in the seat hasn't undergone safety tests. “Anything you buy that's not from the manufacturer, including a blanket or harness, you should not put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style For new parents trying to figure out how to pick the most suitable infant car seat is a bit of a puzzle. It's essential to understand your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are plenty of different choices in terms of features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's comfortable for baby. It's important to note that convertible car seats aren't suitable for babies and can only be used up to the age of one year. Some may even have crash-tested extensions kits, which will help them last longer. They tend to have a greater number of recline settings to facilitate the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are more likely to work when used with the travel system. This is beneficial for new parents wanting to save money and time by buying a seat that will serve two purposes. Car seat weight and width are important aspects to take into consideration for most families. For instance, some infant car seats are designed to be a bit narrower than others to allow a better fit in the back seat of your car, or for use with siblings seats. Others are heavy enough to really test your biceps by lifting and move from car to stroller. Many parents prefer infant car seat that can be transformed from a base to a carrier and then transform into a stroller without any extra attachments. This will save you a lot of time, particularly during busy times when you're running errands your little ones. Other features that are useful include a no-rethread harness as well as magnetic buckle holders and an easy-to-install process. Finally, you should look for an head and body support insert, which can aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the carrier or seat in the event of a nap. Some car seats feature rigid latches that open from the base when installed correctly. This type of install is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat moves in the event of an accident.