7 Effective Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Best Car Seats For Infants
Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats are great for growing kids, an infant seat is ideal for infants and newborns. They are also lighter and easier for you to clip into strollers than their bigger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit's recline foot with springs and bubble indicator on the base, in addition to its ease of use (the more user-friendly a car seats is and is, the more likely parents will be to set it up correctly). The model also fits three across in many mid-sized vehicles.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is known for their top-rated convertible car seats and the infant Liing is among the best infant seats. The seat is equipped with the best safety features available, such as a metal load-leg that can be easily installed. It also features 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to match the slope of your vehicle's seat. A bubble indicator helps you determine if the seat is at the correct angle before your child rides in it.
The base of the Liing can be easily fitted by using LATCH connectors made of rigid material that fit into the lower anchors of your car and make it much easier to anchor the seat. This makes the Liing an ideal choice for families who plan to change vehicles frequently or who require a quick and reliable way to install their child's car seat. If you prefer, you can utilize the belt-tensioning system included to buckle your child in.
One of the things that sets the Liing apart from other infant car seats is its 2-piece Newborn Support System. This includes an upper insert that slips over the crotch buckle as well as a head support that is attached to the harness to help keep newborns from slumping or bending their heads while they're in the seat. This is a game changer for tiny babies and preemies. It's also among the few rear-facing infant car seats that offers this level of support.
The Liing's metal crash-test framework reduces crash forces up to 40% compared to other infant seat. The shell of the seat is bolstered with EPP foam, which protects your child's head and body from an accident. The base of the seat is designed with a load leg made of metal that absorbs energy and reduces the risk of the likelihood of crashes, in addition.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is a consistent top-rated infant car seat. It's simple to install, easy to use, and grows with your baby. It can also be used with strollers as a travel system.
The KeyFit is a good choice for parents looking for an easy-to-use and safe flexible seat. It scores a top score in crash tests, is lightweight and comfortable to carry and has a good range of height and weight limits. It was also designed to guarantee the safety of babies. The click-in points are made of soft materials around it so your baby won't be burnt by metal. The newborn insert has a head cover to protect their heads, and the seat pad that babies sit on nestles them with cushioned foam that absorbs energy for a comfortable experience.
Installing it correctly is also extremely simple. This is crucial because improperly installed infant seats can increase the risk of injury to your child. The KeyFit's top connectors for LATCH that come with a SuperCinch tightener ensure an ensconced fit with minimum effort. Additionally, the base comes with a ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble level indicators to ensure correct vehicle angle and quick installation. For a second installation, using the seat belt of the vehicle, clear belt routing and lock-offs make it simple to install, position and tighten the car seat belt.
The harness height adjustment rethread feature is a feature that is found on a variety of Chicco seats including the Keyfit model. This means that you need to manually re-thread the straps to change from one level to another. This is a minor disadvantage for the convenience of this seat.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 infant car seat meets the most stringent safety standards. It features a no-rethread harness and is compatible with Joie strollers that use Maxi-Cosi style adapters. It's easy to use, with clearly labeled installation guides as well as built-in bubble levels to help with alignment. The car seat is comfortable with plenty of padding. It also has a useful canopy to shield your baby from the sun.
The i-Snug 2 comes with an ISOFIX base to ensure a secure vehicle attachment and can be used with a stroller that is compatible for a complete travel system. It's an infant car seat that is rear-facing that offers the best head and neck protection for newborns and babies. The exclusive Tri-Protect headrest has an additional layer of Intelli-Fit memory foam to protect your baby from side impact crashes.
Like any infant car seat you'll have to replace it when your child outgrows the height and weight limits or when they turn one. You can then upgrade to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. This will allow your child to be rear-facing for longer and is more secure.
A convertible car seat is more spacious and has a higher rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant car seat and generally has a larger space inside. It's a good idea change to a convertible car seat as soon as is possible to stop your child from growing out of it too quickly. In certain situations, parents can transition their baby into an all-in one car seat without having to buy another infant car seat. It's therefore important to choose the best convertible car seat for your family and yourself. Read our complete guide for all the info you need to make an informed choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
Nuna Pipa RX is a top-rated infant seat because of its safety features, lightweight design, and the versatility. It can be fitted using rigid lower anchors in the outboard seats of most cars, and with the seat belt of the vehicle using Euro Routing (which utilizes all of its length to secure the installation). It also includes a GOTS organic cotton infant insert, making it an option for parents who are looking for organic options for their child.
At just 6 pounds without the canopy and inserts, the Pipa Aire RX is among the lightest infant car seats available on the market. Aeroflex foam is a lightweight material that is resilient but also extremely lightweight helps reduce the force transferred to your child during an accident. Other security features include the five-second steel-reinforced True Lock base installation, side-impact protection, and a multi-position steel stability leg with a crumple area to reduce forward rotation, resulting in greater rearward-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum handle that's lightweight and luxe with leatherette accents to ensure easy to carry and excellent grip. A magnetic buckle holder keeps straps from getting in the way when you buckle your child and color-coded indicator for installation ensures correct connections. The low-profile base makes it easy, super-fast loading and the belt's open path with lock-offs secures shoulder and lap belts.
Cleaning up after a messy parent shouldn't be. The fabrics and inserts of the Pipa Aire RX can be machine washed so that your car seat appears like it did after each use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
Nuna's PIPA air rx and PIPA Rx car seats are great options. But car seat inserts for newborns launched Pipa Urbn is a step beyond. This ultralight infant seat is lightweight and easy to carry, and weighs less than 7 pounds once the canopy and insert are in place. It's a user-friendly, elegant design and features such as magnetic buckle holders that keep straps from getting in the way when strapping your baby in and a green/red indicator to inform you if the installation is secure. ).
This innovative pipaFIX system allows it to be used without the base, unlike Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require one to be installed. This makes it the ideal choice for parents who frequently use rideshare or taxi services, travel, or just need the ability to move their car seat more quickly and easily.
Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. These eco-friendly materials include the Merino Wool and Tencel brand-name blend of lyocell fibres headrest as well as an machine washable, water-resistant cover.
The Pipa Urbn has the weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when rear-facing. This means that you will need to upgrade to a convertible model sooner than with other brands. However, it is still a top choice for the majority of infants. The car seat is compatible with travel systems and works with all Nuna strollers. You just need to click it on or attach using the rings adapter.