How to Choose the Best Car Seats for Your Child
When searching for a car seat, it is easy to get overwhelmed. The most secure car seat is one that is a good fit for your child's vehicle and is safe to use all the time.
Car seats that are difficult to use or install can make life for parents and kids more challenging. The best options have impressive crash test results, have excellent ease of use scores and are also lightweight and narrow.
Safety
Safety features are the most important factor to take into account when you are shopping for a car. No matter if you opt for an infant or convertible seat, it must meet the safety standards of the federal government and have a proven track record of third-party crash tests. It should be able to fit in your vehicle and be simple to operate.
A top-quality car seat must also have an easy-to-use harness adjustment and either LATCH or seat belt connections. Flexible or rigid lower connectors with an alligator-like clipping which hooks directly to the seat belt guides or the car seat base are more preferred to straps with a flexible design. The best seats have an indicator that changes color and is easy to read and lets you know when the seat has been properly connected.
The most comfortable seats also come with the top tether, which reduces the chance of head injuries in accidents by restricting the child's head in front. The harness guides are also included in the seats to aid parents thread the belt correctly or tie it properly.
The most important features of a car seat are those that guarantee the seat is used and installed correctly all the time. Tragically, many children's deaths result from children are not properly restrained or in the wrong type of seat. It is important to speak with a child safety technician (CPST) near you to make sure the installation and placement of your car seat are correct.
A good seat could save your child's life if they are involved in an accident. It's worth the extra cost for seats that have strong frames and high-quality materials. It also helps to include well-thought-out features. Make sure you choose seats that comply with the R129 safety standards, which are more rigorous than the older ones most seats follow.
It is also important to realize that car seats are only as secure as the adult who is using it. Children must be properly restrained in rear-facing car seats from the time they are born until they are too tall to sit forward in a harness, typically at the age of four or five.
Comfort
A comfortable car seat will assist your child in falling asleep or remain asleep for longer. This can make the difference between a happy well-rested and rested child and an exhausted, cranky child who isn't a fan of naptime. Look for a car seat that can accommodate your child's growth and has ample support for the back and head and fits comfortably in the vehicle.
The best infant car seats offer a variety of features to make your little one feel secure and comfortable, such as soft materials that provide a snug fit, plush cushions, and padded armrests. Some include cup holders, adjustable headrests, and sun shades. Others offer various recline positions. Other models have adjustable thigh supports and lumbar support to improve posture, and some even have massage functions that are activated by a button that you press when your child is seated in the seat.
When your child outgrows an infant car seat it is possible to upgrade to a convertible toddler car seat. These seats are made for children weighing up to 40 pounds. They can be used with either a front-facing or facing forward. Some convertible toddler car seats can be used as boosters for up to 120 pounds. This can save money and decreases the number of car seats that you will need to buy in the future.
The top-rated toddler car seats that are comfortable include the Evenflo Chase, which offers great crash test sensor results and is simple to put on using LATCH or a seat belt for a vehicle. Its narrow shell makes it easier to fit newborns and larger babies. It also comes with two different crotch buckles, which allows for better positioning of shoulder straps. It's also lightweight and narrow, making it easier to maneuver in small vehicles.
The Nuna PIPA urbn is a excellent option for a comfortable toddler car seat. Babylist's gear editor Jennifer LaBracio says the seat has a luxurious feel with plenty of padding and easy-to-read indicator for installation. It's also small and can be put in with the base or without it, making it an ideal choice for parents who frequently move their car seats between cars.
Easy to Use
Many parents use their car seats frequently, and they want a seat that is simple to use and can be tucked away in their car. They also want it to work with other baby equipment. Infant car seats are lighter because they have lower weight limits, and they last longer than a convertible car seat. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make them easier to install and use. They include the recline foot, which is spring-loaded, bubble indicators on the base to help you position it correctly in your car, and installation guides clearly labeled with clear and easy-to-follow instructions. The car seats are constructed of durable materials that are machine-washable and easy-to-see. They also have soft padding for your child.
The Clek Liing is the most highly rated infant seat we reviewed in the year 2018. It has impressive crash test results and analysis scores, as well as an excellent load leg that can help you place the seat in your car with ease and precision. This car seat is easy to install with either the rigid latch connectors or the LATCH. The latches change color to indicate the connection, and the harness snaps into place quickly and securely.
Chicco KeyFit 35 is another top pick. It provides impressive crash test results as well as a loading leg to assist you in installing the car seat. It's also a favorite with parents and experts, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy. She says the seat is designed for comfort, with an adjustable recline foot with springs and an indicator of bubbles on the base to help you position it correctly and tighten it with ease. This seat is affordable, GREENGUARD certified and built to last. It comes with steel frames and a high-density, ventilated foam.
The all-in-one Nuna Exec is a favored of LaBracio and Saxton, with both women saying it's an "solid" seat that's worth the price tag due to its premium feel luxurious materials and simple installation. It comes with the rear-facing weight limit of 50 pounds, an expanded legroom panel as well as strong steel frame with an anti-rebound bar. This car seat for infants can also be used as a booster for children weighing up to 120 pounds. It is compact enough to fit in most mid-sized cars.
Design
You should ensure that the car seat you select is easy to use and fits well. Your final decision may be influenced by the location and how you'll install the seat, as well as the frequency you plan to change between cars. While it is impossible to predict what might occur in a crash, your seat's design can reduce the risk of damage and make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat.
The LATCH connectors on a seat are a key element. Connectors that are rigid are attached to the seat by alligator clips. They are more difficult to disconnect during the event of a crash. Flexible connectors have a strap that can be tightened or loosened by hand or with some sort of mechanism. Most seats feature a level indicator to show the correct installation. This is typically a plastic formed line on the shell's side, or a sticker that is affixed to the seat's bottom that, when stood up against the ground, displays the car seat is at the correct angle.
The capacity of a seat to fit newborns and infants is also important. This includes the size and height of the shell, the headrest, and the ease at which the harness can be buckled or unbuckled. pushchairsandprams.uk offer a positioning insert that helps smaller bodies better fit into the seat as well as within the harness. It's important to know that these inserts can be removed as your child develops.
A third important factor is the ease with which it is to change the height of the harness. The best seats allow you to move the harness belt without removing your baby and require just pressing a button or pulling a tab shifting levers. The most comfortable seats also allow you to adjust the strap around your shoulders without the need to rethread the belt.
If you're interested in an all-in-one child seat make sure it meets the minimum federal safety standards and is able to perform in third-party crash tests. We prefer seats with extra features, such as an energy-absorbing layer molded into the shell or an anti-rebounding bar.