What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when choosing the right car seat for their infant carseats for infants and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, which means they are less durable.
Infant carriers can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates a travel system. Parents can transfer their child from the car to a stroller with ease without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the safety of an infant's seat, especially when they purchase one for the first time. As with good infant car seats , the infant carrier seat was created to safeguard your child as safe as it is possible in the event of a collision. Most of the time they are set with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best choice for infants at the highest risk of injury during an accident.
They also have additional padding for added head protection and lower anchors that secure the seat to your vehicle's chassis to prevent it from shifting in the event of a collision. This is particularly important with infants who have big necks and heads that can be susceptible to injury from the force of a crash or sudden stop. Additionally, the majority of infant carrier seats are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a system that is easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back without disturbing your child.
Furthermore, the majority of infant car seats have an base that can be fitted in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child with you no matter where you go. This is great when you regularly use taxi or ride-sharing services, and it can make travelling on airplanes with your infant a lot easier as well.
Some models of infant carriers are suitable for use on strollers without the base, which allows you to keep your baby safe throughout all sorts of excursions and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to help with transporting your child, too!
It is also important to remember that a child's car seat should never be left alone outside of a vehicle, as babies could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries or even the risk of suffocation. It is essential to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system" that is a combination of the car seat base and frame for the stroller. These are able to snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for infants, since they give parents the option to move their baby from a car to a stroller without having to wake the baby up. This feature is the main reason why more than 80% Babylist parents buy an infant seat.
Many infant car seats can be used with most strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and put them on the frame of a stroller to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a great option to consider in the event you plan to use taxi or ride share service, as most of these services require that a child be in a car seat.
As opposed to convertible car seats, which are required to be in the car the infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter, making them a great choice for families on-the-go. Some infant car seats also have a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful if you are planning a trip that you do not want to wake your baby for.
Car seats for infants only last until your baby is a toddler and they outgrow the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing seat for newborns, then changed to a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are ideal if you want to keep your child safe in a seat for as long as it is possible. You can find a convertible car seat that converts into an high-back booster seat once your child has outgrown its harness (or is over the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when looking through options!
User-Friendliness
An infant car seat is an infant car seat that faces the rear and clicks into a base installed in your vehicle. They are designed to keep newborns and infants safe until they meet the weight and height requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap.
Find an infant seat that has an adjustable carrier that which you can connect to the base of a stroller or a car. This will let you quickly get your child in and out of the car, particularly if their nap is about to end or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to make sure they are positioned correctly for your child. If the straps aren't high enough or too low, they're not safe. high, they won't be used correctly and can cause injury in the event of a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used in conjunction with or without the base. This is great for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. Be sure that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find seats that have an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment features, like Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirement for a booster seat. They can be used in conjunction with a stroller but don't provide the convenience and fit of an infant car seat. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally heavier and less portable which makes them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, especially infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is essential to install car seats correctly and safely. A few factors that could affect this include the seating position and the angle of the base, and the best way to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are connected to a base within the vehicle. This combination is often called a "travel system". These seats are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing car seats. Many car seats come with a built-in angle indicator that can be read to make sure the seat is at the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base might have an angle adjustment.
Another feature to look out for is if the seat has a way to adjust the shoulder strap height without having to disengage and rethread the straps. This can be a significant time saver, as it is likely to need to be done multiple times during the course of an infant's car seat use.
Some cars have a hard point in the back of the seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between the seat back and bottom cushions. The hooks are designed for the particular seat and will snap into place with only a little effort. They can also produce an audible sound when they are securely connected.
It is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure it will work well for your family. If the car seat doesn't connect to the base or your child is not comfortable, it's time for you to consider a different option.
Certain car seats can be able to be installed without the base. This is helpful if you use public transportation or taxi services like Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without having a base by simply pressing a lever. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. Many will give you the clear "click" when it's secure enough.