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How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant The cost of infant car seats can run all over the place, based on materials, styles and accessories. It's not necessary to spend a lot on the best infant car seat. Our product testers have rated the top-performing infant car seats across five major categories Safety, ease of use and reliability as well as adjustability, convenience and safety. Safety Ratings The most effective infant car seat is rigorously crash tested. They also come with clear instructions and features that make it easy to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seats that provides good support for infants. We also liked seats that were easy to adjust, and didn't require the baby to be removed from the car. If the procedure is quick and simple, parents are more likely to keep their properly fitted harnesses. A seat that can be washed is a great feature and we searched for models that allow the seat to be placed with the base, reducing the possibility of a lost or loosing buckle while washing. If you'll be using your car seat often, and particularly on public transport it could be worth the extra expense for one that retracts automatically straps and a recline mechanism to reduce the strain on your back. The choice of a baby car seat is among the most important purchases you'll make as a parent, so we suggest taking the time to research it thoroughly before purchasing. Review reviews from other parents, as well as reviews from advocacy groups for children. Before purchasing a new car seat it's an excellent idea to visit the website of the manufacturer and read any recalls. Infant car seats are small, portable car seats specifically designed for newborns or babies up to the one year old. They are generally used with a in a rear-facing position. The majority of infants outgrow their car seats at the age of one or in the case of convertible or all-in-one seats, are transitioned to a toddler car seat. Infant-only seats must be used with the rear facing side until the child reaches the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they must be switched over to a car seat that is facing forward. The convertible or all-in one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they have reached the age of maturity to move forward. User-Friendliness While the safety of a car seat is paramount but it's also crucial to find one that's easy for parents to use. This is why we consider things like buckles, harness adjustments and handles in our tests, as well as how easy it is to put the car seat into the vehicle. If a car seat isn't easy to use, you may end up using it incorrectly. This could compromise the safety of your child. Take a look at having a meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to you take your baby home, if you are worried about correctly installing your infant car seats. They'll be able give you a crash test video and show you how to use your new seat. And don't forget to read the manual that comes with your car seat, since it will assist you in avoiding common installation mistakes. Unlike convertible car seats, which are designed for older children and toddlers infant car seats will only last until your child outgrows them or reaches the maximum weight limit or height set by the manufacturer. It's a great choice to select a seat that can be used for as long as you can before changing your child into a big kid car seat. Some infant car seats can even convert into a stroller and provide more value for your money. But it's important to note that any seat that can be transformed into a stroller is likely to be heavier than seats that only work as a car seat for infants. A wide infant car seat can make it easier to fit into your car and may be compatible with other back seats. You should also think about how heavy the seat is, since a lighter seat can be more easy to lift into and out of the car. This is particularly important when you plan to use your infant seat often and carry it between vehicles. For these reasons, we prefer lighter, more narrow models in our top infant car seat review. Reliability Your child's safety is the top priority. While every car seat sold must adhere to federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Best of the Bump winner Clek's Liing, for example comes with two-stage body support that helps keep small babies cozy and comfortable and is compatible with a variety of popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it an excellent score in a crash test. Be aware, however, that even the most reliable infant car seat can only be as safe as how it is installed and used. Incorrectly installed or improperly used car seats are a major danger to children and infants of all different ages. That's why Vybiralova Stanton recommends reading the user's manual for the manufacturer and looking for installation videos online. “You'll discover that manufacturers are more invested in ensuring you have the right seat for your vehicle and baby,” she says. The most effective infant car seats are simple to install and use. They have features like a one-handed buckle release and magnetic strap holders that do not catch clothing, and a non harness that can be rethread. The seats are made of durable materials and come with several adjustment mechanisms that function smoothly. Another feature to look for is whether an infant car seat has a base that can be used without the vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This is a benefit for parents who use taxis often or use their seats in more than one vehicle. It's also important to take into consideration the amount that the car seat weighs and whether you can carry it easily. Some models are heavier than others and could burden your shoulders and arms particularly if you have other kids to haul around or are traveling long distances. In the end, a baby car seat with a lower cost can save you money and time. But, be wary to purchase one simply because it's cheaper. A lower price could mean that the manufacturer skimped on quality of materials or safety features. Before making a decision, it's a good idea review reviews and seek out recommendations from other parents. Convenience The best infant car seats make it easy to ensure that your baby is safe. This means they're easy to put in place, have features that make buckling up or unbuckling a breeze, and include other convenience features like soft fabrics and a harness that is not rethread. They also have design features that make them safer in a crash. For example they have load legs, which absorb shock. components that sit on the bottom of the seat. This helps reduce movement and therefore impact forces on your baby. If you're in a smaller car, or if you plan to switch between vehicles often choose a baby car seat that is compact and slim. This kind of seat can fit easily in smaller cars and most have a handle that makes them easy to carry. They're also generally lighter than convertible car seats, which means they're less difficult to lift into and out of the car. Another great feature of this infant car seat is that it can be converted into a stroller with no requirement for an additional attachment. This is a huge benefit for families that are constantly in motion or who reside in areas where public transportation is more common. It's slightly larger than a typical car seat for infants, but not as large as a convertible one. This highly rated infant car seat is simple to use, and our testers loved it for its harness that is not rethread and magnetic buckle holders which make it incredibly fast to get baby in and out. It also has loads of features that make it more convenient, such as a button-operated four-position recline and steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the base and turn green once secure. Selecting the best infant car seat is among the most important decisions you'll make as you become a new parent. This is why it's important to read reviews and research of various options prior to making a decision. You must ensure that the car seat that you choose is made with the safety of your child in mind and that it meets all national safety standards.