How to Choose Infant Car Seats best car seat for newborn uk
Car seats are an essential item for parents. What makes one car seat better than the other?
A dedicated infant seat fits the most tiny babies, and is lighter for easier transport outside the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier like premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, look for security features like load legs or head and body cushions.
Safety
As any parent will tell you that choosing the best car seat is among the most important decisions you’ll have to make for your child. The right seat will ensure that they’re placed properly in the car and ensure they’re secured in the event of an accident.
Not all car seats are created equal. While every car seat sold in the US is required to adhere to the strict safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not all seats have the same features. Certain models come with special features to safeguard infants, like load legs that limit the impact of crashes by absorbing the impact forces on the base of the car seat and others have built-in bubble levels for easy installation and adjustable headrests that grow with your baby.
Choi says that car seats for infants are designed to fit babies the best. They typically come with crash-tested inserts, which aid in this. They’re also generally lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller, making them ideal for daycare and ride-share pickups and drop-offs. And because they’ll only last through your baby’s first year, you can always buy an used one at less than the price.
Another factor to keep in mind is that even though having a high NHTSA rating and impressive crash test results are important however, the manner you use your car seat is more important for your child’s safety. In fact, a study done by Portland’s top children’s hospital found that 95 percent of parents made at least one critical error when installing or putting in their car seat.
It’s a good idea to spend a few minutes to learn the correct car seat use guidelines prior to when your child arrives. We recommend that you choose an infant car seat that comes with clear and concise instructions. It must also be light so it’s easy to carry around your baby.
Check to see if the infant car seat cheap car seat that you’re thinking about purchasing meets the car’s dimensions. If you’re worried about your ability to install and operate the car seat correctly yourself, you might consider taking it to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) before your baby seat is born for a hands-on demonstration.
Convenience
Some infant car seats have additional features that make it simpler to use. Certain infant car seats have features that make them simpler to use. For instance, they could include a base that the seat can be clicked into and out, or they may include an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism. These features make it easier to install and remove the car seat, especially if there is another child in your care.
The weight and the height limits of a baby car seat are also important factors to take into consideration. If your child is growing quickly it may be worth investing in an infant carrier seat car seat with higher limits to ensure you can utilize it for as long as you like.
Apart from the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for padded straps which will not rub or pinch their shoulders, and look for soft fabrics that feel comfortable beneath them. It’s also a good idea to choose a seat with an option to lie flat which allows your infant to be in a reclined position that helps keep their airways open and their oxygen levels high.
Dr. Segura warns you that you should not purchase any accessories for infant car seats that aren’t included in the seat since they are not tested for safety in a crash and could pose a risk. Also, avoid buying used car seats for infants, because they could have been involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out.
The best infant car seats can cost between $100 and $600, there are a few things that all the top picks have in common. All are lightweight and easy to install and take down, and are comfortable for the infant. Some have extra features that make them more versatile. For example they can swivel, or clip onto strollers without adapters. For more information about the various options available, check out our review of the top infant car seats.
Comfort
Top infant car seats come with features that provide comfort and make it easy to take your child into and out of the seat. The best infant car seats come with a one-handed clasp system which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at the same time. They also have cushioned padding to make it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you’ll want to take into consideration how much weight the seat weighs. You’ll be using it without a base after all so a lighter model is better. This Baby Trend Secure-Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds.
The height and weight limit of infant car seats are also crucial. If you are planning to keep the car seat, select one that will expand with your child and fit them into the stage of toddlerhood. You’ll be capable of using it for longer and save money on a new car seat.
You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the seat, and whether it is wider or narrower than other models. The first is a good option for smaller vehicles. The second option could be beneficial if you have three kids in the rear seat or two children in back-to-back car seats. If you are planning to use a car seat in conjunction with a pram, you should choose one that is compatible with the most popular strollers and has removable seats. Brands like Graco or Nuna offer options to meet your needs.
For ease of use, look up the rating that a car seat gets for installation. Clear guidelines and indicators, such as bubble levels or color coding which indicate whether the seat is secure and level, can ease stress for parents who are new. Some seats also come with innovative features like load legs, which are shock-absorbing parts that are located under the seat or on the base that extend out to the floor of the vehicle to absorb some of the force during a crash.
There are additional accessories that claim to increase the convenience and comfort of your car seat. However, remember that anything not included in the seat hasn’t undergone safety testing. Segura advises that you shouldn’t put anything in your car seat, such as an accessory like a blanket or harness that you bought from a different source.
Style
For new parents trying to figure out how to choose the most suitable infant car seat can be a bit of a puzzle. It’s important that you understand your budget and what features you’d like. There are numerous options for special features, stroller compatibility, and fabrics. However, it all comes down to comfort.
It’s important to note that convertible car seats are not as suitable for small babies and can only be used until the age of one year. Some may even include extension kits that have been tested for safety that will allow them to last longer. They usually come with more recline options to ensure the proper positioning of tiny children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are also more likely to be compatible with a travel system which can be helpful for parents who are trying to save time and money by buying one seat that is able to do double duty.
Car seat weight and width are also important to consider for the majority of families. Some infant car seats, for instance are narrower and can be able to fit in the back of your vehicle or in the vicinity of other seats. Some are so heavy that they test your biceps when you lift them and then transfer them from the car to the stroller.
Many parents choose an baby car seats that can be transformed from base to carrier and then convert into a stroller without any extra attachments. This will help you save a lot of time, particularly on days when you are running around for errands.
Other convenient features include a harness that doesn’t need to be rethread with magnetic buckle holders, as well as an easy-to-install process. Finally, you should look for an head and body support insert, which will aid in preventing infants from slumbering in the carrier or seat when they fall asleep.
Some newborn car seat insert seats have rigid latches which flip out from the base when they are installed correctly. This kind of installation is more secure and can limit the amount of time a car seat can move during an accident.