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How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant The cost of infant car seats can go through all over the place, based on materials, styles and add-ons. But you don't have to spend a lot to get a great car seat for your infant. Our product testers rated the best-performing infant car seats in five key categories Safety user-friendliness, convenience of use, reliability along with adjustability and convenience. Safety Ratings The best infant car seats are rigorously tested for crash safety. They also come with clear directions and features that make it easy to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seating that provide adequate support for babies. We also loved seats that were simple to adjust and didn't require the baby to be removed from the car. Parents are more likely to maintain correctly fitted harnesses when the process is simple and quick. A seat that can be washed is a great feature and we searched for models that allow the seat to be installed with the base, reducing the risk of a dropped or loosing buckle while washing. If you'll be using your car seat frequently and especially on public transport it could be worth it to invest in an auto-retracting straps and a reclining mechanism to ease the strain on your back. It is important to conduct thorough research prior to making a purchase. Read reviews from parents and child safety advocacy groups. It's an excellent idea to check the manufacturer's website and read any recall notices before you buy a car seat. An infant car seat is a small, lightweight car seat designed for newborns and babies up to their first birthday. They are typically used with a rear-facing design. Most infants outgrow their car seats by the time they reach the age of one or in the case of convertible or all-in one car seats, are shifted to a toddler car seat. Infant-only seats must be used with the rear facing side until the child is at the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. Then they should be switched to forward-facing car seats. A convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used in both ways, but it's better for your baby to remain in a rear-facing car seat until they're large enough to fit in a front-facing seat. Easy of Use While the safety of the car seat is essential but it's also crucial to find one that's easy for parents to use. That's why we look at things like buckles, harness adjustments and handles during our tests, as well as how easy it is to set up the car seat into the vehicle. If the car seat is difficult to use, it may be used improperly which could compromise the safety of your child. If you're concerned about installing your infant car seat correctly, consider meeting with a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) before you bring your baby home. They'll be able to give you a crash test video and show you how to use your new seat. Don't forget to read your car seat's instruction manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes when installing the seat. Infant car seats aren't convertible, and can only be used until your child is outgrowing it or attains the maximum weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. This is why it's a good choice to select one that can be used for as long as possible before changing your child into a larger car seat. Some infant car seats convert into strollers, meaning you can get more for your price. It's important to note that car seats that can be used as strollers are heavier than those that are used as an infant car. A wide car seat for infants can help you fit it into your vehicle and could be compatible with other seats in the back. It is also important to be aware of the weight of the seat as a light seat is easier to take into and out of the car. This is a crucial consideration if you plan to use the infant seat frequently and will be transporting it between vehicles. In our top infant car seats review, we prefer models that are narrower and lighter. Reliability Your child's safety is the top priority. While all car seats must meet federal safety standards, there are certain models that go beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example, has a two-stage body support system which helps keep infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with many popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it the top score in the crash test. It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that even the safest infant car seat is only as reliable in the way it is installed and used. A poorly installed or used car seat can be a major danger for infants as well as children of all ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton suggests studying the manual of the manufacturer and searching for installation videos on the internet. “You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure you have the right seat for your car and your baby,” she says. The most reliable infant cars seats come with features that make it easy to set up and use, such as the buckle release for harnesses that can be operated with one hand, magnetic strap holders that won't get caught on clothing, and a non-rethread harness. They also have sturdy materials and a variety of adjustment mechanisms that work seamlessly. Another aspect to look out for is whether the infant car seat is equipped with a base that can be used without the use of a vehicle's LATCH or shoulder belt systems. This is a great option for parents who often take taxis or will be using their seats in many vehicles. Pushchairs And Prams 's also important to take into consideration how much the car seat weighs, and whether you can carry it comfortably. Some models are much heavier than others, and may strain your shoulders and arms, especially if you have other kids to carry around or are traveling long distances. Ultimately, an infant car seat with a lower price tag will save you money and time. Don't purchase a cheap car seat because it's inexpensive. A price that is low could suggest that the manufacturer shirked on quality of materials or safety features. It's always recommended to read reviews and ask for suggestions from other parents prior to making your final purchase. Convenience The best infant car seats allow you to keep your baby secure. This means that they are easy to install, come with features that make buckling up or unbuckling much easier, and come with other convenience amenities like comfortable fabrics and a no-rethread harness. They also have features that ensure their safety in the event of a collision like load legs, which are shock absorbing parts of the base or the car seat that limit movement and thus impact forces on your child. If you have a smaller vehicle, or if you intend to switch between vehicles often, look for an infant car seat that is small and slim. This type of seat fits easily in narrower vehicles, and many come with a handle, making them easy to carry. These seats are often lighter than convertible car seat and are therefore easier to get into and out of a vehicle. Another advantage of this car seat for infants is that it transforms into a stroller without the requirement for an additional attachment. This is a huge benefit for families who are always traveling or reside in cities where public transportation is more common. It's slightly larger than a typical car seat for an infant but not as big as a convertible. This highly rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our product testers liked it for its harness that is not rethread and buckle holders with magnetic buckles that make it quick to get baby in and out. It also has loads of features that make it more practical, such as a four-position recline with a button that is operated by a button, and steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and turn green when they are secure. As a parent of a newborn, selecting the best car seats for your baby is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. That's why it's so important to read reviews and research of different options before making an informed decision. You want to make sure that the car seat that you select is designed with your child's safety in mind and conforms to all safety standards in the country.