What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when selecting a car seat for their infant the infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are designed for rear-facing use, which means they have a shorter lifespan.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a travel system. This lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and into a stroller without disrupting their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the security of an infant car seats best‘s carrier seat, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant carrier seat was created to safeguard your child as safe as possible in a crash. Most often they are set with the infant car seats best facing to the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants who are at the greatest risk of injury during an accident.
They also have extra padding to provide additional head protection and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from moving in the event of a collision. This is particularly crucial for babies with necks that are large and heads that could be easily injured by a sudden stop or crash. Most infant car seat for travel carrier seats can be used with strollers, forming a travel system which allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to your stroller, without having to worry about them.
Most infant car seats also have a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you take your child wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride-sharing services frequently. It can also make travelling with a baby on planes much more convenient.
Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that don’t have an element of base. This allows you to keep your child safe throughout all sorts of trips and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who would like to help with the transportation of your child!
It is also important to remember that a child’s car seat is not meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as babies could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and even suffocation. It is important to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of the travel system, which is comprising a car frame and seat base that snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies since they permit parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and back without having to wake them up. This feature alone makes it a huge reason more than 80% of Babylist parents register for a baby seat!
Additionally, a lot of infant car seats work with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to take their child from the car and put it on a stroller frame so they can walk around a park or supermarket. This is an excellent feature to look out for if you plan on using a taxi or ride-sharing service. The majority of these services require children to be in a safe seat.
Compared to convertible car seats that must be kept in the car the infant car seats are usually lighter and more compact making them an ideal option for families who are on the move. In addition, certain models of infant car seats come with the option of a handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is especially useful for those planning a trip that you don’t want wake your baby for.
Car seats for infants only last until your baby becomes an adult and has outgrown the weight and height limits Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat, and later transformed into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great option if you’re looking to keep your child in a safe seat as long as possible. There is even a convertible seat that will transform into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to search for this when you browse options!
Simple to Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is a car seat that snaps into base of your car. They are designed to keep infants and young babies secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers. This can make it easy to move the baby from the car to the stroller and continue on your journey without disrupting their nap time.
Find an infant car seat that has an attachable carrier that clips onto the base or a stroller. This will let you quickly take your baby into and out of the car, particularly when their nap is coming to expire or if they’re hungry, thirsty, or bored. It’s also important to check the shoulder strap slots and make sure they’re properly placed according to your child’s size. If the straps have been placed too low or high they won’t be able to be used properly in a crash and could be dangerous.
Some infant car seats come with lower anchors that can be used in lieu of the base, which is ideal for taxi rides or for travel on airplanes. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors have an European routing route and are easy to set up and remove, and we look for an audible click to ensure the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find seats that have an easy-to-use harness and adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seat is the next step after an infant carrier. They can be used until your child reaches the weight or height requirements for the booster. They can be used in combination with a stroller but they don’t provide the newborn fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters. However they tend to be larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and especially infant car seats is difficult. It is essential to do it in a safe and secure manner. This can be affected by the position of your seat as well as the angle of base, and how you use the handle.
Most infant car seats are made to be attached to a base that remains in the vehicle, which is commonly referred to as a travel system. They are designed to be used in the rear position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most best car seats newborn seats have an angle indicator built in that can be used to determine whether the seat is at the right semi-reclined position for your child. The base may also have an adjustor to change the angle.
Also, make sure that the seat can adjust the shoulder straps’ height without having to unthread and repeat the process. This could be a huge time saver, as it will probably require multiple times throughout an infant’s car seat use.
Some cars have a rigid 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 back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks should be able to snap into place quickly as they are designed specifically for the seat. When they are in place to your seat, you will hear a distinct noise.
It is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to be sure that it works for your family. If the car seat doesn’t fit into 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 a great option for those who use taxi or public transportation like Uber. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for removing and putting in the car seat without base, but most will allow you to do so by pressing an lever or button. Many will give you a “click” to let you know when it’s secure.