Best Infant Seat Features
All infant seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will love such as extra padding, a cushioned inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no Rethreading.
When selecting our top picks, we considered factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, features and price. Find out which infant seat is right for you and your family by reading.
Safety
Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in, strap-holding sides, and much more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair has, they are more efficient.
The more user-friendly a car seat, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will reduce the risk of injury to their child in a crash. This is particularly important for infant seats, which are only designed to be used for a brief duration. Find a seat that is easy to install, with a recline foot that is spring loaded and a bubble indicator to help get the seat level. Also, ensure that the base can be easily clicked into and out of the car.
Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers offer are an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are great the safety of a car seat is only dependent on the vehicle that you use to drive. There are tips in the owner's guide on how to secure your child's car seat and find out more about the vehicle's safety features.
When selecting an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be allowed to use it for about 2 years until your child is ready to transition to an convertible car seat. That's why some families opt to leave out an infant seat and move straight to a convertible car seat, which is more spacious and has higher weight and height limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling. Then, you can ensure that the seat is comfortable for your child, is a good fit in your car and has useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's the most critical aspect to ensure your child's safety on the road.
User-Friendliness
If you're using the seat in one car or transferring it between several, you want an infant car seat that is simple to install and detach from the base. Find clearly labeled installation guides and an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also, consider how easy it is to adjust the car seat as baby grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.
A great feature that many infant seats include is a load leg which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle's floor to provide additional stability in the event of an accident. This is a crucial feature to have if you own an older vehicle, as the risk of head injury in a crash is greater when a child is sitting close to the ground, as per research conducted by Consumer Reports.
Other high-end features can enhance the infant car seat experience. These include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that helps stop the seat from bouncing in the event of a crash. The latter has been proven to lower the risk of head injuries by up to 43 percent. The Evenflo LiteMax DLX is a great choice for those on a tight budget looking for a car seat that is ARC-certified and has a few top features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat has earned an exemplary rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline settings, and an extended canopy that is secured with magnets to ensure complete coverage.
Another thing to look for is an infant seat that is able to be set up by the lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is ideal for parents who are planning to take Uber or taxi rides because it eliminates the need to get back in the car every time to replace a seat. For instance the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the equivalent TRIV travel system come with an extremely rigid LATCH system built right into the seat's bottom, making it quick and easy to put in any car. It can also be used with a rear-facing (for children between 4 and 40 pounds), forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's an excellent choice for families with a limited budget.
Comfort
If your child is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's important they are comfortable. This means padded straps on their shoulders, a plush fabric that feels cozy against their tummy and back and a headrest that grows with them to accommodate their growing body. Also, consider a seat that is easy to alter as your child grows.
While a car seat with a lot of special features might cost more, they're also often easier to use. When evaluating infant car seat, we consider factors such as a one-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and a harness that doesn't rethread. We also take into consideration the weight and size of the seat, since the weight or size of the seat could strain your biceps while you transport it to and from your vehicle, or even between vehicles.
A seat with a load leg - a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash--is another good choice. It's usually found in expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this additional safety feature.
The weight and height limits are also important. more.. 'll need to make sure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs at around the age of two or three. You should also consider convertible infant car seats that converts to a toddler seat. This will allow you more flexibility when you drive and is great for families who often switch vehicles or travel.
Our test participants were impressed with the Doona that combines a car seat for an infant and a stroller in one piece. It's a great choice for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It's also easy to put in, and our expert 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 noted how small the seat is it is essential for those who have a small trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a big advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.
Convenience
The best infant seats have features that make it easy to use. The most comfortable infant car seats are equipped with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Check if the seat is able to be cleaned by machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it has a canopy. This is useful in the car as well as on the stroller.
One thing that may not be a big difference but can save you a lot of trouble is a meter on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. This line should be parallel to the ground and is located on the base. This is especially helpful when you're going to change the car seat often or when your child will be traveling with you and you need to install it in Ubers or taxis.
Another benefit is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat, making it easier to carry your sleeping bundle of joy from the car to the grocery store or out on errands, without having to lug around the separate baby carrier. This can be a huge advantage for new parents who want to return to their normal routine after an exhausting commute or outing with their newborn.
If you anticipate your child to grow rapidly, choose the car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to keep the car seat for longer.
All car seats sold in America must meet federal safety standards, but that does not mean that they are all to be the same. Some seats come with extra features, like load legs that support the base of a car seat to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bar that reduces the risk of head injuries in crashes. A few additional features can make the journey more comfortable for your baby, and you as a parent are happier and more confident.