What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options to choose the right car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Infant car seats are only designed for rear-facing use, therefore they last a little longer.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters sold separately) to create a traveling system. This lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about the security of an infant's carrier seat, especially when they buy one for their first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your child as safely as is possible in the event of a crash. Typically they are placed with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants with the highest chance of being injured in a crash.
These seats also feature additional padding for head protection, as well as lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis in case in the event of an accident. This is particularly important with infants with large heads and necks that are susceptible to injury from the force of a collision or sudden stop. In best car seat newborn , many infant carriers are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a system that is easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back again without disturbing your baby.
In addition, many infant car seats come with bases that can be used in other vehicles to permit you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is ideal for parents who use taxis or ride-sharing services often. It also makes traveling with infants on planes a lot easier.
Some models of infant carriers seats can be put on strollers that do not have an base. This lets you ensure your child's safety throughout all sorts of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who would like to assist you in transporting your child, too!
It's also important to keep in mind that a child's car seat is never meant to be left unattended outside of a vehicle, as babies may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and even death. This is why it is important to review the safety instructions thoroughly before using a car seat for your infant in a different location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of a travel system, a combination of car seat base and stroller frame that snap into one another for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for infants, since they allow parents the ability to move their baby from an automobile to a stroller without having to wake him up. This alone is a huge reason more than 90% of Babylist parents register for a baby seat!
Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame to walk around the park or at the grocery store. This is a great option to consider when you're considering using a ride share or taxi service, as most of these services require a child be in car seats.
Compared to convertible car seats which must remain in the car baby car seats are often smaller and lighter, making them an ideal option for families that are constantly on the move. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly useful if you are planning a trip you don't want to awake your baby for.
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for newborns and then convert into a forward-facing seat for older children. These seats are a great option when you want to keep your baby in a secure car seat for as long as is possible. You can find a convertible car seat that transforms into an high-back booster seat once your child is too big for the harness (or reaches the limit on weight and height). Make sure to check for this feature when looking through choices!
Easy of Use
An infant car seat is a rear-facing car seat that connects to a base in your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and infants secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which can make it easy to move the baby from the car to the stroller and continue your journey without disrupting their nap time.
Find an infant car seat with a detachable carrier that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will allow you to quickly move your baby in and out of the car, especially when their nap is coming to end or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to ensure that they are positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are placed too low or high, they cannot be properly used in a crash and could be dangerous.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is ideal for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. Be sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have a European routing and are easy to release. We also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It's also helpful to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustment mechanism, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirement for the booster seat. They can be used combination with strollers but they don't provide the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically heavier and less portable, which can make them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, is a challenge. It is vital to install car seats safely and correctly. Some factors that can impact this include the position of the seat as well as the angle of the base, and the way to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a combination often called a travel system. They are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. Many car seats come with an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is at the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base could also have an adjustor to change the angle.
Another feature to look out for is whether the seat has an option to adjust the shoulder strap height without having to disengage and adjust the straps. This can be a significant time saver, since it will likely require multiple times throughout the use of a car seat for infants.
Certain cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks should snap into place with ease since they are custom-made for the specific seat. Once they are attached, you may hear a distinct noise.
It is also a great idea to test the car seat on a child before deciding if it's suitable for your family. If the car seat does not fit into the base, or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to look for a different option.
Some car seats can be installed without the base, which is helpful when you travel by public transport or rely on taxi services like Uber. You can usually remove and install the seat without a base by pressing a lever. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. A lot of them will give you a "click" to let you know when it's secure.