How to Choose rear facing infant car seat
What do you want from your car seat? "If you need a car seat that can grow with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit and is able to convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one.
The soft cushioning that is machine washable is a plus. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base or car seat that limit the impact of a crash.
Safety
Car seats for infants are made to fit small babies best, so they usually have more padding and cushioning than convertible carseats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to get out of the car or put onto a stroller frame, unlike convertible car seats, which is important since you'll likely be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. The dedicated infant car seat is designed to last your child for the first year. This means you won't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond the weight limit or height.
It's a good idea to conduct some research before you make a purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews by other parents, and also looking through car seat safety guides from organizations such as Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test data that can be shared with families.
Find features that can be useful to your family. For instance, the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanism. These kinds of features could help you buckle your baby faster and easier, but keep in mind that even the safest of seats can be a waste in the event that you don't utilize them properly.
Other things to keep in mind are the width and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to fit in with older car seats in the back of your vehicle Some can grow with your child, and move to an adult seat while you're at it. Also, if you intend to use your car seat for transport or to take taxis, a baby car seat that can be installed with only the vehicle's seatbelt is a great alternative.
In general it's a good idea to buy the most secure car seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually do not meet the highest crash safety standards. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.
Convenience
The most suitable infant car seats are ones that fit inside your vehicle with your family and are simple to install, and come with useful extras such as a built-in running stroller or rotation capability. It should be reasonably priced. The price of infant seats is between $180 to $500. They can be more expensive when they are convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat.
The convenience features include whether the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without removing the baby from the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat with ease particularly if you move it between cars often or take Uber rides with your child. The seat must also be lightweight and have clearly labeled installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can quickly install the car seat properly installed.
You should also be able to rotate the seat and lock it when not using it and have access to buckles and harness straps. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to verify its weight and height limitations. Also, consider whether your child will outgrow the seat by the time they turn one. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that can grow with them until they reach the 90 percentile.
While the safety standards of the federal government are the minimum requirement, some manufacturers go beyond to offer additional crash-testing and other features that are included in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice among our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just great crash protection. It also comes with a leg that stabilizes the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. That feature alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth paying more for car seats that are secure and comes with additional convenience features.
Comfort
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing an infant car seat is comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable car seats have large, breathable fabrics and ample padding on the harness and headrest. They also have easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms like buckles, strap covers, and headrest adjustments that do not require the rethreading.
The weight and size of an infant car seat can affect comfort, particularly when you are planning to change cars or use the seat frequently. Some models are tinier which makes it easier to fit them in the back seat with other car seats or even siblings seats. While all have minimum and maximum heights and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This can help save your biceps from aching when carrying it around town or between vehicles.
Some infant car seats offer additional features that make them more flexible like rotational options or the ability to connect to strollers without the need for extra adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable no-rethread strap or anti-rebound bars to offer extra safety in case of the possibility of a crash. These features aren't required for safe riding, but they can improve the overall experience.
In addition to convenience and safety factors, many parents also need a clean and comfortable car seat for their infant. Choose a model which is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off to clean. Some seats can be cleaned with a dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new.
Some models go above and beyond to ensure their customers' experiences are safe and comfortable, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and is compliant with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. It also has a Silent Shade canopy that keeps baby comfortable and quiet and also an indicator that tells you when it's properly attached to the base. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator will let you know that it's properly connected to the base.
Design
The manufacturers of infant car seats design them with safety and comfort as their primary goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your family. Consider factors such as the weight and height limit as well as the number of belt routes and buckles. Additional features like anti-rebound bars, load legs and harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of babies. You might also consider features that help you get your child into and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. Be sure to pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the seat, because not every seat will fit in all cars.
The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that's important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, can affect this. You should also consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten and whether there's a single-hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.
Certain models let you use the seat without a base, which is useful if you take taxis often or if you plan on changing cars often. Look for models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed properly.
Certain features might be worth the extra cost, such as a headrest which grows with your child, a five-position reclining feature, or the canopy that expands and secures into the position. Our product testers have also noted that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the baby has finished using it is an advantage.
The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It comes with a variety of features that address nearly every complaint parents have about infant car seats. This is the reason our product testers have rated it highly across the range. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and can be converted directly into a stroller (no need to purchase separate stroller adapters). The crash test results are top-quality and it's GREENGUARD Gold certified.