Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However some go above. Our Best of the Bump winner comes with a host of features that parents will appreciate, including additional padding, a padded inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no Rethreading.

We considered factors like weight (without base) and stroller connectivity special features and prices when deciding on our top rated infant car seats picks. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must be in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats offer extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that can hold straps and more. According to the experts I spoke to the more features a chair includes, the are more efficient.

The more user-friendly a car seat can be, the more likely parents will be to use it in a safe manner, which can reduce the chance of injuries to their child in an accident. This is especially true for an infant seat, since it's designed for an extremely short time. Choose a model that has a bubble indicator and a spring-loaded reclining foot for making it easy to set the seat. Make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.

Some car seat manufacturers provide high-end features like a strap that doesn't need to be rethread as well as magnetic buckle holders and side grips that carry the seat. Remember that even though these features are fantastic, a car seat's safety is only as good as the vehicle in which you drive. There are tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your infant car seat and find out more about the vehicle's safety features.

When you're choosing an top rated infant car seats car seat, bear in mind that you'll only be in a position to use it for approximately 2 years, until your child is old enough to move to a convertible car seat. Some families opt to not use the infant seat entirely and choose to purchase convertible cars with a higher weight and height limits. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, make sure to take into account the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models before choosing one. You can then make sure the seat is suitable for your child, can fit in your car and has useful features like 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 critical factor in ensuring your top rated baby car seats's safety on the road.

User-Friendliness

You want a car seat for your infant that is easy to connect and remove from the base, whether you intend to use it in a single vehicle or shift it between multiple. Look for clearly labeled instructions for installation and an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also consider how easy it is to alter the car seat as your baby grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats come with is a load leg, which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and the vehicle floor to offer extra stability in the event of an accident. This is a crucial feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of sustaining head injuries during a crash is much higher when a baby is seated near to the floor, according to research by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features that can enhance the user experience include a no-rethread harness and anti-rebound bars, which will prevent the seat from rebounding in a crash. The latter has been proven to decrease the risk of head injury by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat that has a few key premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was given an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It has a non-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed with a lapbelt and without the requirement for the base is an alternative. This is ideal for parents who plan to use Uber or taxi rides, as it eliminates the need to get back in the car each time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel infant car seat systems, for example include a strong LATCH built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and easy to install. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing 4-40 pounds), forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds), and it converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great option for families with a tight budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat, particularly when they're there for a long period of time. That means padded straps on their shoulders, plush fabric that is soft against their back and tummy and a headrest that grows with them to support their growing body. Look for an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow and.

A seat with many special features can be more expensive, but it is also simpler to use. This is why we take into consideration factors like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also consider the weight and size of the seat, since a heavy or large seat can put stress on your biceps while you carry it into and out of your vehicle or in between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash, is an alternative. It's usually found in more expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly options that include this extra safety measure.

Another important consideration is the height and weight limits. You'll need to make sure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It's also worth considering convertible infant car seats that converts to a toddler seat. This gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who often change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller into one. It's the perfect pick for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school by public transportation. It's also easy to put in and our testers were impressed with the ease of use of the latch that is one-handed and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also commented on how small the seat is and is an essential for those with a limited trunk space. Plus, it's free of any flame retardant chemicals which is a major advantage for parents who are concerned about their child's health and the environment.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important aspects to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to help with cleaning) and if it features a canopy, which can be useful in the car as well as attached to the stroller.

One thing that might not seem like a big deal but can save you a lot of hassle is a meter on the base that will let you know whether it's been put in place correctly. This line is on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. It's particularly useful when you'll be switching the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if you are planning to travel with your child and you'll need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be affixed directly to it. This makes it easy to transport your sleeping bundle to the store, or to run errands. You don't need to carry the hassle of a separate car seat. This could be a game changer for parents with newborns who want to return to their normal routine after a long commute or outing with a baby.

If you expect your child to grow rapidly pick the car seat for babies with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat in use longer.

All car seats sold in the United States must comply with the safety standards of the federal government However, that doesn't mean they are all created to be the same. Some come with features that go beyond, such as load legs that support the car seat's base for extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of head injury in crashes. Other extras, such as a no-rethread harness and an extendable canopy, can also provide a more relaxing ride for baby and help you to be a happier, more confident parent.