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How to Choose Infant Car Seats Best Parents must have car seats. What is it that makes one car seat better than another? A specially designed infant seat is the ideal choice for infants who aren't big enough. It is also lighter, which makes it easier to transport outside of the vehicle. Look for features that make life easier such as premium lower-anchor connectors with non-rethreading harness pads and single button handles. Also, think about safety features like load legs and body cushions for the head and neck. Safety As any parent knows, choosing the right car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make for your child. The best seat will ensure that they're placed correctly in the car and that they're adequately secured in the event of an accident. While every car seat sold in the US must conform to strict standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Not all seats are created equal. Certain models have features specifically designed to protect infants, for instance, load legs that reduce the impact of crashes by absorbing the force of impact on the base and car seat, while others include built-in bubble levels to make it easy for installation and adjustable headrests that expand with your baby. Dedicated infant car seats are also designed to fit tiny babies best and often include extra crash-tested inserts to help achieve this, according to Choi. Plus, they're usually lighter than convertible car seats and can be easily transferred to a stroller making them ideal for ride-sharing and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. Since they'll only last through your baby's first year it's possible to purchase an older model for only a fraction of the cost. A high NHTSA score and impressive crash test results are crucial, but the way you use your child's car seat is more important. In fact, a study done by Portland's most prestigious children's hospital discovered 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 take a few moments to learn the correct car seat use guidelines before your little one arrives. We recommend looking for a car seat that has clear and concise instructions, is light enough to be able to carry your child, and has simple adjustments. Check to see if the infant car seat you are considering fits the car's dimensions. If you're concerned about your ability to install and operate the car seat correctly you might want to bring it to a certified child safety technician (CPST) for an interactive session prior to the time the baby is born. Convenience Some infant car seats come with extra features that make them more user-friendly. For instance, they might come with a base that the seat snaps into and out of, or they may come with easy-to-use adjustment mechanisms. These features make it easier to remove and install the car seat – particularly when there is a child in your care. It is also crucial to take into consideration the weight and height limits of an infant car seat. If you have a child who is growing rapidly it might be worth the extra money to purchase a car seat with higher limits to ensure that you keep it in use for as long as you can. In addition to the safety features, an infant car seat is a must for a comfortable baby. Look for comfortable straps that don't rub or pinch their shoulders, and a soft fabric that is soft beneath them for extended periods of time. Select a seat that is in a lie-flat position. This allows your child to sit in an upright position, which helps keep their airways open and oxygen saturation levels high. There are many accessories available for infant car seats, however Dr. Segura warns against buying any item that isn't included in the seat because it is not crash tested and could be unsafe. You should also avoid purchasing used infant car seats, since they may be involved in an accident and could be damaged or worn out. The best infant car seats are priced from $100 to more than $600. However they all have a few characteristics. They are all lightweight easy to put in and remove, and comfortable for the baby. Some have extra features that make them more adaptable. For example they can swivel, or clip into strollers without the need for adapters. For more details on the different choices available, read our review of the top infant car seats. Comfort The best infant car seats are equipped with comfort features that make it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat. The best infant car seats have a single-handed clasp system which eliminates the need to grasp both sides at once. They also have cushioned padding that makes it easier to lift the seat. In addition, you'll want to consider how much weight the seat weighs. You'll be using it without a base, for instance, so a lighter one is more suitable. This Baby Trend Secure Lift, for example, weighs less than 13 pounds. Other important factors include the weight and height limits of the infant car seat . If you intend to keep the car seat, pick one that will grow with your child and accommodate them into the stage of toddlerhood. You can keep it for longer and save money by not buying a second seat. You should also think about the seat's dimensions and if it's smaller or wider than other models. This can be a boon for cars with smaller sizes, and the latter is a benefit if you have two kids in back-to-back car seats or have to drive with three children in the back seat at some moment in the future. If you plan to use your car seat along with strollers, choose one that can be detached from car seats that are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Car seat brands like Graco and Nuna offer options that meet this requirement. For ease of use, check out the score that a car seat gets for installation. Clearly labeled guides and indicators that let you know the seat is level and securely fastened—like bubble levels or color-coded markings—can assist in easing the burden on the new parents. Some seats come with unique features, such as load legs. These are parts that absorb shock that extend from the seat base or underneath the seat to the floor of the vehicle and absorb some force during a crash. There are also accessories that claim to improve the comfort and convenience of your car seat. However, remember that anything that's not included in the seat hasn't passed safety tests. “Anything you purchase that isn't from the manufacturer, even the harness or blanket, you should not put in the car seat,” Segura says. Style It can be a challenge for new parents to figure out the best infant car seats. It's crucial to know your budget and what features you'd like to have. There are many options in terms of special features, stroller compatibility and fabrics, but it all comes down to what's suitable for your baby. For instance it's worth noting that infant-specific seats are more suitable for babies than convertible car seats and can be used for the first year of life (though some may have extensions that have been tested for crash to make them last longer). They tend to offer more recline settings to facilitate the correct positioning of small children. They are also lighter and easier to carry. They are more likely to work when used in conjunction with an existing travel system. This is beneficial for new parents wanting to save money and time by buying seats that can serve two purposes. Another important thing to remember is that car seat size and weight are key elements for families with a large number of children. Certain infant car seats, for instance are narrower and can fit better in the back of your car or close to other seats. Some are so heavy that they will test your biceps when you lift them and transfer them from the car to the stroller. When it comes to convenience, a lot of parents choose infant car seats that have the capability to move from the base to the carrier and click directly into a stroller without the need for additional attachments. This can help you save a lot of time, particularly on busy days where you have to run the errands. Other features that are useful include the magnetic buckle holder and a strap that is not rethread, and a streamlined installation procedure. Also, look for a head and body support insert that can assist infants in avoiding slumping in their seats or carriers in the event of a nap. Most car seats use flexible straps to secure their lower anchor connectors, but there are some that feature rigid latches that flip out of the base and turn green when correctly installed. This kind of installation is more secure and may limit the amount a seat moves during an accident.