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How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Think about what you want from your car seat. “If you're in need of a car seat that will expand with your child look into an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or a backless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight restriction. It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Other features that are helpful include load legs, which are shock-absorbing elements on the base or in the car seat that limit the movement of the car seat in a crash. Safety Dedicated infant car seats are made to fit small babies the best, which is why they typically offer more cushioning and padding than convertible carseats. They are also smaller and lighter to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you will need to transport your child's car seat out of the vehicle often. Car seats for infants have the advantage of often being designed to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them growing beyond their height or weight limits in the same way that convertible car seats can. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are extremely stringent but it's a good idea to do your own research prior to buying. Consider reading reviews from other parents as well as looking through safety guides from groups like Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have a wealth of crash testing data to give to families. Look for features that will help your family. These include the ability to release the strap, a no-rethread harness or a foot that can be leveled with spring-loaded mechanisms. These kinds of features could make buckling your child faster and more convenient, but keep in mind that even the safest of seats can be a waste when you don't use them properly. The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. A lot of infant seats can be installed in your car alongside older car seats. Some can expand with your child, and can be converted to a booster simultaneously. If you plan to use your car seat to transportation or for taxis, a baby car seat that is fitted using only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient option. In general it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, because the cheapest models usually don't meet the most rigorous safety standards for crash protection. Avoid models that do not include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify. Convenience The most suitable infant car seats are those that can fit inside your vehicle with your family and are easy to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It must also be affordable. Infant seats can range in price from about $180 to $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and are used as an infant and toddler seat. Convenience features include how easy it is to install the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the harness and headrest without removing the infant out of the seat. You want to be able to set up and remove the seat easily particularly if you move it between cars frequently or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to make it easier to install the car seat. You should also be able turn the seat around and lock it when not using it and have access to the buckles and harness straps. It is also essential to verify the height and weight limits of the infant car seat prior to you purchase it, and think about whether your baby will outgrow it before the time he turns one. A good guideline is to choose a seat that grows with your baby until they reach the 90th percentile. While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go over to provide additional crash testing and convenience features in their car seats. The Clek Liing, a top pick among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that offers more than just excellent crash protection. It also comes with an extra load leg that can help stabilize the seat in the event of a crash and reduces the forces exerted on the child's body by 40 percent. This feature could save a child's life. It's worth spending more on car seats with added safety features and convenience. Comfort One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones have large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding on the headrest and harness. They also offer easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms such as buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that don't require the rethreading. The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect the comfort particularly if it's intended to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are narrower than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or siblings' seats. Although Push Chairs And Prams have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, some are lighter than others—which can prevent your biceps from aching when carrying it between vehicles. Some infant car seats come with extra features to allow them to be more flexible. For instance they can be rotated or be clicked into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models are equipped with premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bars to offer additional security in the event of the possibility of a crash. While these extra features aren't necessary for the safety of your ride, they can add to the overall experience using the seat. Parents want their children to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also consider safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to remove for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking brand new. Certain models go above and beyond to ensure their customers have the most secure and comfortable ride. For instance the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar, and is compatible with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™, which is designed to withstand both rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby comfortable and quiet and has an indicator that lets you know that the seat is properly attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know when it is properly attached to the base. Design Car seat manufacturers design infant car seats with safety and convenience in mind, but the myriad of features available makes it hard to determine what's the best fit for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors such as weight and height limits and the number of belt buckles and belt paths. Other features like load legs, anti-rebound bars, and no-rethread straps may increase the price of the seat but improve comfort for your baby. You may also think about features that allow you to easily get your child into and out of the seat, for example, rotating mechanisms. You should also pay attention to the dimensions and the weight of the seat because not every seat will fit in all vehicles. One aspect that is particularly important is the ease of installing and detaching from the base. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether they're flexible or rigid, can influence this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are simple to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Some models let you use the seat without a footrest, which can be useful when you plan to change cars or take taxis frequently. To ensure that your seat is properly installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism. Certain features might be worth the extra cost, such as the ability to grow with your child, a five-position recline feature and the canopy that expands and locks in place. Our product testers also mentioned that having a seat which can be used for highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster when the infant has finished using it is an added benefit. The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that solve almost every complaint families have regarding infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers have rated it highly across the spectrum. It's affixed for air travel, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test results are impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.