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, including extra 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) connectivity to strollers, special features, and price when deciding on our top picks. Find out which infant seat may be right for your family.
Safety
All car seats for infants sold in the United States must be in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that are beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs as well as a rethreader that is built-in strap-holding sides, and much more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a seat comes with, the better.
The more intuitive a car seat is, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This can reduce the chance of injuries to their child in a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are intended to be used for a short period of time. Find a seat that is simple to install and has an adjustable recline foot with springs and a bubble indicator to help get the seat perfectly level. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click into and out of the car.
Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers provide include a no-rethread harness, magnetic 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 vehicle that you use to drive. Take a look at the car's owner's manual for tips on how to secure your infant's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.
When selecting an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll probably only be in a position to use it for about 2 years, until your child is ready to move to an convertible car seat. Some families skip the infant seat altogether and choose to purchase a convertible car that has a higher weight and height limit. When you are buying an infant car seat, make sure you consider the dimensions of your car and test several models before settling. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for the child, fits in your vehicle, and has convenient features such as converting it to a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's crucial to ensuring your child's safety on the road.
Easy of Use
You're looking for a car seats for your baby that is easy to connect and take off from the base, whether you intend to use it in a single vehicle or move it between several. Look for clearly labeled instructions for installation and an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Think about how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.
Some infant seats come with a load leg. It's a brace that acts as a support between the seat base and the floor of your vehicle, providing extra stability in case of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if have an older vehicle, because the risk of suffering a head injury is greater if the child is too close to the floor.
Other high-end features can enhance the infant car seat experience. These include a no rethread harness, and an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from bouncing during a crash. The latter has been proven by research to decrease the chance of head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat with a few key premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has earned an excellent rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions as well as an extendable canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.
Another thing to look out for is the type of seat that can be installed by the lap belt, and does not require the base. That's ideal for parents who plan to take taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require an extra trip back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the counterpart TRIV travel system feature a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and easy to install in any vehicle. It can also be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can also be converted into the highback booster or belt-positioning booster with a backless design (40-120 pounds). It's an excellent choice for families with a tight budget.
Comfort
When your baby is stuck in a car seat for a long period of time, it's crucial that they feel safe. That means padded straps on their shoulders, plush fabric that feels cozy against their back and stomach and a headrest that grows with them to support their growing body. Also, look for a seat you can easily adjust as your child grows.
A car seat with a variety of features is often more expensive but also easier to use. That's why we look at things like a one-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also consider the dimensions and weight, as an overly heavy or bulky seat can add stress to your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car or between cars.
A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash--is another good choice. It's typically found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this additional safety feature.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll want to make sure that the seat will remain safe for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt usually around age two or three. It's also worth considering a convertible infant car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat. This option gives you more flexibility in your vehicle and is great for families who often switch vehicles or travel.
Our test subjects loved the Doona, which is a combination of an infant car seat and stroller into one. It's a great choice for parents who are on the move particularly those who commute to work or school on public transport. 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 noted that the seat is compact, which is important for those who have a small trunk space. It's also free of any 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 simple to use. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. best car seats for infants to consider is whether the seat is machine washable (to help with cleaning) and if it features a canopy, which can be useful both inside the car and attached to a stroller.
One thing that may seem like a small thing, but could save you a lot of hassle is an indicator on the base that informs you that it's been properly installed. This line is located on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. This is especially useful when you're going to change the car seat frequently, or the baby will be traveling with you and you have to set it up in taxis or Ubers.
Another benefit is the ability to connect a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat, which makes it easier to carry your sleeping bundle of joy from the car to the store or on errands without having to lug around the separate baby carrier. This could be a life-changing option for parents trying for a way to return to normal after a long trip or commute with a baby.
If you anticipate your child to grow rapidly pick a car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for a longer period of time.
All car seats sold in America must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but that does not mean that they're all in the same way. Some have premium features that go beyond, including load legs that anchor the base of the car seat to provide extra stability, and anti-rebound bars to reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Other features, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, could also provide a more relaxing ride for your baby and allow you be a happier and more confident parent.