How to Choose car seats by age Push Chairs And Prams for Your Child
It's easy to become overwhelmed when you are shopping for a car safety seat. The safest car seats are those that fit your child's vehicle and car and can be used correctly 100 % of 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 high scores for ease of use, and are lightweight and slim.
Safety
When you are looking for a car seat, safety features are the primary factor to consider. No matter if you opt for an infant, convertible, or booster seat, it must meet the safety standards of the federal government and have a proven track record of third-party crash testing. It should also fit in your vehicle and be simple to use.
A high-quality car seat should also have an easy-to-use harness adjustment and either LATCH or seat belt connector options. The rigid or rigid lower anchor connectors that have alligator-like clips that hook directly to the car seat base or vehicle seat belt guides are preferred over flexible straps that move or loosen. The best seats have a color-changing indicator that is easy to read and lets you know when the seat has been properly connected.
The best seats also include the top tether, which reduces the risk of head injuries during crashes by restricting the child's head in front. They also have built-in harness guides to help parents correctly thread the belt on their seat or tether.
The most important car seat features are those that ensure the seat is properly installed and used in a safe and efficient manner all the time. Unfortunately, a lot of child passenger deaths are caused by children not properly restrained or using the wrong seat. Contact a child security technician (CPST) who is located near you, to ensure that the installation of your car seat and placement is right.
A well-designed seat could save your child's life in the event of a crash. It's worth the extra cost for seats that have strong frames and high-quality materials. It also helps to have intelligent features. It's also wise to look for a seat that complies with the most modern R129 safety regulations, which have more rigorous testing than the older regulations that many seats adhere to.
It's also important to remember that the car is only as safe and secure as the adult who is driving it. Children must be properly restrained in rear-facing car seats from birth until they reach a height that allows them to sit forward in a harness, which is usually at the age of four or five.
Comfort
A car seat that is comfortable will help your child fall asleep or stay asleep for longer. This can make the difference between a happy, well-rested child and a cranky, tired child who doesn't want to nap. Look for a seat that can accommodate your child's growing stature, provides plenty of neck and head support, and is well-fitted to keep them from moving around in the car.
The most effective infant car seats come with various features that will make your baby feel secure and comfortable, including soft materials that provide a snug fit, plush cushions and padded armrests. Some have cup holders, adjustable headrests and sun shades. Others offer various different reclining positions. Some come with adjustable the lumbar and thigh to improve posture. Other models have massage options activated by pressing a button once the child is in the seat.
If your child is out of the infant car seat the next step is a toddler car seat that will generally accommodate children of up to 40 pounds and can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing. Some convertible toddler car seats can also be used as boosters for children weighing up to 120 pounds. This will save you money and decreases the number of car seat purchases you'll need to make over time.
The top toddler car seats for comfort include the Evenflo Chase, which offers excellent crash test sensor results and is easy to install using either LATCH or a seat belt for a vehicle. Its slim shell makes it easy to fit larger infants. It also features two different crotch buckles which allow for better positioning of shoulder straps. It's also light and narrow which makes it easier to maneuver in small vehicles.
The Nuna PIPA urbn is a ideal choice for a comfy toddler car seat. Babylist's gear editor Jennifer LaBracio says the seat is luxuriously comfortable and plenty of padding and easy-to-read indicators for installation. It's also small and can be installed with or without the base, which makes it a good option for parents who frequently transfer their car seat between cars.
Easy of Use
Car seats are the single item in a parents' life that is used frequently and a lot of parents want an easy-to-use seat that will fit in their vehicle and work with other baby equipment. Infant car seats have smaller weight limits and shorter lifespans than convertible car seats, so they tend to be lighter in body and frame. The best infant seats come with features that make them easier to install and use, like a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicators on the base to help you to position it properly in your car. Also, they come with clearly labeled installation guides with clear instructions. The car seats are constructed of robust materials that are machine-washable and easy to read. They also have cushioning that is comfortable for your child.
The Clek Liing is the most highly rated infant seat we reviewed in 2018. It has impressive crash test results and analysis scores as in addition to a great load leg that will help you place the car seat with ease and accuracy. This car seat is one of the most simple to install with either LATCH or the rigid latch connectors, with a color-changing indication of connection on the latches and a harness with no rethread that snaps quickly and securely.
Chicco KeyFit 35 is another popular choice. It has impressive crash test results, as well as loading legs that can assist you in installing the car seat. It's also a popular choice with parents and experts, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy, who claims 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 up easily. This seat is also affordable and GREENGUARD-certified. It's built to last, with steel frames with high-density foam as well as a vented seat back that allows air to circulate to keep your child cool.
The Nuna Exec all-in-one chair is a favorite among LaBracio, Saxton and other women. Both women consider it an "solid" comfortable seat that's well worth the cost for its elegant feel, luxurious materials and ease of installation. It features a rear-facing weight restriction of 50 pounds, an expanded legroom panel as well as strong steel frame with anti-rebound bar. This car seat for infants can also serve as a booster seat for children up to 120 pounds. It's compact enough to fit into most mid-sized cars.
Design
You want to make sure that the car seat you choose is simple to use and fits comfortably. The final decision you make will be influenced by where and how you'll install the seat and how often you plan to change between cars. While it is impossible to predict what might occur in a crash, the design of your seat can help minimize damage and make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat.
The LATCH connectors on the seat are a major factor. Rigid connectors are attached directly to the seat using alligator clips. They are more difficult to remove in the event of a crash. Flexible connectors come with a strap that can be tightened or loosen by hand or using a kind of mechanism. Most seats feature an indicator of level to indicate when they've been installed correctly. It's usually formed as a plastic line on the shell or a sticker at the bottom of the car seat that shows the angle of the seat is placed against the ground.
Another crucial aspect is how well a seat can accommodate newborns and infants. This is based on the width and the height of the shell, the headrest and the ease with which the harness can be buckled or unbuckled. Some seats also offer a positioning insert that helps smaller bodies to fit better into the seat and within the harness. These inserts can be removed when your child grows.
Another important aspect is how easy it is to change the height of the harness. The most comfortable seats allow you to adjust the belt of your harness without having to remove your baby and require just pressing a button, pulling a tab or shifting levers. The most comfortable seats also allow you to adjust the strap on your shoulder without having to rethread the belt.
If you are interested in an all-in-one seat, ensure it satisfies the minimum federal safety standards and has a good performance in third-party crashes tests. We prefer seats that also exceed expectations with features like an anti-rebound bar or an energy-absorbing layer that is molded into the shell or the ability to use the seat from birth (with an insert) until your child is 50 pounds in rear-facing mode.