infant car seat for travel (click to read)

You can save time and effort by having an infant car seat with you when you travel. You can use the car seat in taxis and rental cars. A lot of countries require that you bring the child’s car seat.

A popular choice is the Doona that combines a car seat and stroller into one. It’s small enough to fit in airline seats and FAA-approved.

1. Doona

Doona the newest travel system/car seat to hit the market is a mix of both. It’s the first car seat that transforms into a stroller with the push of one button, and is available in several colors and comes with a variety of accessories. It’s a great option for families who frequently travel, as it is TUV and FAA certified aircraft (though it is possible to gate-check its base).

As a car seat Doona has top safety features. Its double wall structure encloses the wheels and includes layers of EPS foam for additional protection in case of an accident. The handle also doubles as a head-protecting bar in the case of an accident. The Doona comes with a 5-point safety harness that holds your child at their hips and shoulders. These are the most rigid parts of the body, securing them from the force an impact.

Doona is light and easy to maneuver when used as stroller. Its slim frame makes it easy to move down most airline aisles and is able to be used in a rearward-facing or forward-facing position. It’s also easy to connect the Doona base in your vehicle for safe installation.

You should be aware that your child will eventually outgrow Doona. When there is less than 1 inch between their head and the canopy, you’ll know when your baby is ready to upgrade. You can use Doona for your trips and vacations until then.

We suggest that you shop around to find the best price for Doona. Doona. You can find Doona in stores like Nordstrom, Target and Pottery Barn. You can use gift cards and loyalty program points/perks at these retailers to save money.

2. Chicco KeyFit 35

Chicco (pronounced “KEY-ko”) is a well-known brand that makes strollers, baby car seats and a lot of parents’ preferred diaper bags. The company is among the largest manufacturers of infant car seat around the globe. They offer some amazing options which impressed us when we tested them. They have excellent crash test scores, are easy to use and install in a variety car configurations. They also work with many of the top strollers that are available if you use the appropriate adapters (available separately).

This model is our second pick. It’s a great option for families who are looking for an easy-to-install seat. to install and can be used with a variety of strollers. The KeyFit 35 has an average weight of the car and a mediocre crash test, but it offers a high quality and comfort for the price.

The original Keyfit, KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 are all available in a “ClearTex”, which is a version that does not have any added chemicals to retard fire (a trend that has been emerging recently for juvenile products as parents have become more aware of the toxic chemicals that are required by certain car seats to meet federal standards for flammability). It’s a great choice for families that want to minimize exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals in their child’s environment.

All KeyFit models come with a variety of unique features that made them stand out during our tests. Their base/carrier lock system uses a combination of visual and audible cues to confirm that the carrier is properly attached to the base. A “click” is heard when the system is a good match, and a simple upward tug on the handle of the carrier confirms that it is in the correct upright position for driving.

The KeyFit 35 has a removable head and body support for newborns for babies weighing between 4-11 lbs. It adjusts to the seat to provide more legroom and headrest height as your child grows. This will improve security and comfort for rear-facing infants. A 2-stage base is included to ensure a secure attachment to your vehicle and for easy transition to toddlerhood when your child is ready.

3. Graco SnugRide Stroller

This Graco travel system comes with car seats and a stroller in one package. It is simple to use and is extremely compact when folded. This is a great option for trips on the road and vacations! It’s an excellent option for moms on the go who don’t wish to spend much time making arrangements or learning about new equipment.

The car seat attaches easily to the stroller frame, and you can choose whether you want your baby to face you or the world when connected. This car seats newborn seat has great crash test ratings. This is a good option in case your budget is tight however, if you are able to afford it, we would recommend buying a different model.

We are thrilled the fact that this car seat comes with a front swivel wheel and that the base is locked in place to stop any unexpected stroller movements. It’s also nice to see the LATCH clips stored on the front of the base, rather than in a place that is hard to access underneath the base, where they might be accidentally knocked off when you set down the car seat.

This infant seat is suitable for babies weighing between 4 and 35 lbs. and up to 32″. It uses and up to 32″ Lite LATCH system that is simple to install with the included instructions. The seat is lightweight and has a narrow width which means it is able to fit into the majority of vehicles, even when facing the opposite direction of the the belt route. The seat comes with an adjustable headrest that grows with your child and includes an adjustable harness built in. The shoulder straps have 4 different height options, and the crotch strap comes with two height positions. By the time your child weighs 12lbs it is crucial to remove all head and body inserts.

The rethreading process used by this model for adjust the crotch and shoulder straps isn’t our favorite. It’s not too easy, but it’s more convoluted than other seats that don’t need rethreading. We also found that the crotch and head straps aren’t as deep as the straps on other models, which may put your child at risk for an open crotch buckle in the event of the event of a crash.

4. Baby Trend Trooper

The baby car seat is popular with families with young infants who are seeking an easy-to-transport, lightweight infant car seat. It’s also compatible with many strollers, making it more convenient for parents to travel with their children. It’s a great choice for parents who utilize taxis and rideshares often.

The infant car seat travel car seat can be easily installed by using the seat belt or the LATCH system of your vehicle. It features LATCH connectors with push-ons with clear-to-read indicators and a no-twist harness indicator. The seat features a deep side wing that offers additional safety for your child in a crash. The seat also features a convenient Delta carry handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar when needed.

When installing the seat using the seat belt, it is important to ensure that the shoulder strap is at a minimum high as your child’s shoulders, and that the lap belt is not too low to fit around your child’s thighs. If the shoulder belt is too low, this can be a risk for infants. If the lapbelt is too high, your baby might shift around uncomfortably in the car.

Another important thing to remember with this seat is that it comes with special guidelines for crotch buckle routing for newborns. In particular, the manual states that you shouldn’t run the webbing for the crotch buckle through any slot other than the outermost one for children who are the smallest. This can be a challenge for some parents and could result in the buckle not being able to fit correctly.

Overall the Trooper is a good choice for parents looking for an infant car seat that is of high-quality that’s simple to transport and can be used in most vehicles. It’s heavier than other choices, but has great safety features and stroller compatibility.

Evenflo Pivot LiteMax Stroller & Car Seat Combo is an excellent option for parents seeking a more affordable infant car seat. This combination is less expensive than similar alternatives and offers more convenience and safety for parents on a limited budget.