What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when selecting a car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants offer an enticingly short time of use because they can only be used with rear-facing.
The infant carrier seats are usually compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. This allows parents to easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about the safety of an infant carrier seat, especially when they buy one for their first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your baby as safely as it is possible in the event of a collision. They are most often positioned rear-facing, making them the best option for infants who are at the greatest risk of injury in a vehicle accident.
These seats also have extra padding to provide additional head protection, and lower anchors that hold the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young infants, who have big necks and heads that can be susceptible to injury from the force of a collision or sudden stop. Additionally, best car seats for newborns Pushchairs And Prams of infant carrier seats are designed to work with strollers to create a travel system that can be easily moved from your car to the stroller and back again without causing a disturbance to your child.
The majority of infant car seats come with a base which can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is great for those who frequently use taxi or ride-sharing services and can make travelling on airplanes with your infant much easier as well.
Some models of infant carrier seats are suitable for use on strollers with no base, allowing you to ensure your baby's safety throughout all sorts of excursions and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who wish to assist you in transporting your child, too!
It's also important to keep in mind that a child's car seat is not meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as babies can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and possibly the risk of suffocation. This is why it is important to review the safety instructions thoroughly before using a car seat for your infant in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system", which is an amalgamation of the car seat base and the frame of the stroller. These are able to snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies, as they give parents the option to move their baby from a car to a stroller without having to wake the baby up. This alone is a huge reason more than 80% of Babylist parents sign up for an infant seat!
Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and put them on a stroller frame for walking around the park or at the grocery store. This is a great feature to consider in the event you plan to use taxi or ride share service, as most of these services require the child be in car seats.
Compared to convertible car seats that must be kept in the car baby car seats are typically smaller and lighter, making them a convenient option for families who are on the move. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly useful when you're planning a trip that you don't want awake your baby for.
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for newborns and then convert 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 secure seat for as long as it is possible. There is a convertible car seat that transforms into a high-back booster seat when your child is too big for the harness (or reaches the limit on weight and height). Make sure to check for this when browsing options!
Simple to Use
A rear-facing infant car seat is an infant car seat that snaps onto the base of your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to move your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap.
Find an infant car seat that has an attachable carrier that connects to the base of a stroller. This will make it much easier to get your child into and out of the car especially when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's also important to look over the shoulder strap slots and ensure they are properly positioned to fit your child's height. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't used correctly and can be a risk in the event of a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used without or with the base. This is great for taxi rides or traveling via plane. Check that the lower anchors are simple 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 important to choose the seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustable carrier system. Examples include Graco's click connect and UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child reaches the height or weight requirements for a booster. They can be used alongside a stroller, but don't offer the newborn fit and convenience of a car seat for infants. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters, but they are typically bigger and more difficult to transport and therefore 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 essential to do it in a safe and secure manner. This can be affected by the seat position and the angle of the base, and how you use the handle.
Most infant car seats can be connected to a base inside the vehicle. This type of setup is commonly known as a "travel system". These seats are designed to be used in the rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing seats. Most car seats come with an angle indicator built in that can be used to determine if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base might also come with an adjustable feature to change the angle.
Another thing to consider is if the seat comes with a way to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without having to disengage and reconnect the straps. This is a huge time saver since you will have to do this several times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Finally, some cars come with hard points on the back of the seat specifically designed for infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. The hooks will snap into place easily as they are made specifically to fit the seat. When they are in place to the seat, you might hear a distinct noise.
It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to be certain that it is suitable for your family. If the car seat doesn't click into the base or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to find another alternative.
Certain car seats can be equipped to be used without a base. This is beneficial for those who use taxi or public transportation services such as Uber. It is common to remove and install the seat without a base by pressing a lever or a button. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you an "click" to signal that it's secured.
