How Best Infant Seat Became The Hottest Trend In 2024

best car seats for newborns uk infant car seats best Seat Features

All infant seats must meet federal safety standards. However, some go beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love with additional padding, a padded inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

We considered factors like weight (without base), stroller connectivity, special features, and price when deciding on our top picks. Check out the following article to determine which infant car seat is suitable for your family.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet federal safety standards. But some of the seats come with extra features that go beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs, a built-in rethreader, sides that hold the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke to, the more features a seat comes with, the better.

The more user-friendly a car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it properly. This will reduce the risk of injury to their child during the event of a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are only intended to be used for a brief period of time. Find a seat with bubble indicators and a spring-loaded reclining foot to make it easier to level the seat. Also, make sure the base is easy to click in and out of the car.

Other top features that some car seat makers offer include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips to carry the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are fantastic, a car seat's safety is only as good as the car that you use to drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your infant's car seat and learn more about the car's safety features.

When selecting an infant car seat newborn seat, remember that you will only be able use it for about 2 years before your child is old enough to move to a convertible seat. Some families choose to skip the infant seat altogether and choose to purchase convertible cars with an increased weight and height limit. If you choose to purchase an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your car and try out a variety of models in person prior to committing to one. You can then make sure the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car and includes useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. And, don't forget to check for recalls before making an purchase. It's vital to ensure your child's safety on the road.

User-Friendliness

You're looking for a car seat for your infant that is easy to connect and take off from the base, whether you intend to use it in a single vehicle or shift it between multiple. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Also, consider how it is easy to adjust the car seat as baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats include is a load leg which serves as an extra brace between the base of the seat and the car's floor, providing additional stability in the event of collision. This is a crucial feature for those who drive an older vehicle, as the risk of head injury in a crash is higher when an infant is seated near to the ground, as per research by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. They include a no rethread harness, and an anti-rebound bar that helps stop the seat from bouncing during a crash. This has been proven to reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seats with some of the most important premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has earned an excellent rating from safety experts for children and features an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline settings, as well as an extendable canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed using only lapbelts and does not require the requirement for a base is another option. That's ideal for parents who intend to take taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need a journey back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. For example the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its equivalent TRIV travel system come with an extremely rigid LATCH system integrated into the seat's bottom making it quick and simple to install in any vehicle. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and also converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great option for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby is comfortable in the car seat, especially when they're in the seat for a long period of time. This includes padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel cozy against their tummy or back and a growing headrest. Also, look for a seat you can easily adjust as your child gets older.

While a car seat with many special features might cost more however, they are also more convenient to use. That's why we look at things like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also look at the weight and size of the seat, since a heavy or large seat can strain your biceps when you carry it into and out of your vehicle or between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash--is an additional option. This additional safety feature is usually found in expensive seats however, there are a few budget-friendly models that have it.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll need to make sure the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This usually happens around age two or 3. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that can be converted into a toddler's car seat. This gives you more flexibility and is perfect for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller into one unit. It's a great choice for parents who are on the move particularly those who commute to work or school on public transportation. It's also easy to set up. Our expert testers appreciated its user-friendlyness with the one-handed latching system as well as the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact which is crucial for those with a limited trunk room. Plus, it's free of harmful chemicals which is a major benefit for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and environment.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. The best car seat infant car seats are equipped with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Other important aspects to look at is whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleaning easier) and if it has a canopy, which is handy both inside the car and attached to a stroller.

One feature that might not be a big difference but can save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. The line is located on the side of the base and should be parallel to the ground after you've completed. This is especially useful in the event that you will be changing the car seat frequently or when your child will be traveling with you and you'll need to connect it to taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it simple to transport your sleeping bundle to the store or to run errands. It's not necessary to struggle with the hassle of a separate car seat. This can be a game changer for new parents who want to return to their normal routine after an exhausting commute or outing with their newborn.

If your baby seat is likely to grow rapidly, choose an infant car seat with a higher weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it does not mean that all car seats are made to be equal. Some seats have extra features, like load legs that support the base of a car seat to improve stability and an anti-rebound bars that reduce the chance of head injuries during crashes. Certain additional features can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby seat, making you as a parent happier and more confident.