What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When choosing a car seat, parents have two options of infant car seats or convertible seats. Car seats for infants are only suitable for rear-facing use so they are less durable.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This allows parents to quickly take their child out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, particularly when they are buying one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your child as safe as possible in a crash. Most of the time they are set with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants with the greatest risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
These seats also have additional padding for head protection, as well as lower anchors to secure the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in case in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young infants, who have large necks and heads that are susceptible to injury from the force of a collision or sudden stop. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, forming a travel system that lets you effortlessly transfer your child from your car to your stroller without having to worry about them.
Additionally, most infant car seats have bases that can be installed in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child with you wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who use taxis or ride-sharing services frequently. It can also make travelling with a baby on planes much easier.
Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have a base. This lets you keep your child safe throughout all sorts of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who would like to help you out with transporting your child, too!
It's also important to remember that a baby car seat is not meant to be left unattended outside of the vehicle, since infants may roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries or even suffocation. This is why it is important to read the safety instructions carefully 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" that is an amalgamation of the car seat base and frame for the stroller. These snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies since they permit parents to move their child from the car to the stroller and back without needing to wake them up. This feature is the main reason that more than 80% of Babylist parents buy an infant seat.
Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with a wide range of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and onto the frame of a stroller to walk around the park or at the grocery store. This is also a great option to consider when you're considering using taxi or ride share service, since most of these services require that children be in car seats.
In comparison to convertible car seats, that must be kept in the vehicle the infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter making them an ideal option for families who are on the move. In addition, certain brands of infant car seats have the option of a handle that parents can use to carry the seat around on their own. This is particularly useful if you are planning a trip that you don't want wake your baby for.
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for newborns and then convert into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one car seats are an excellent choice for parents who are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as you can. There is a convertible car seat that transforms into a high-back booster seat when your child is too big for the harness (or is over the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this feature when looking through options!
User-Friendliness
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is a car seat that snaps onto the base of your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep babies and newborns secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which can make it easy to move the baby from the car to the stroller and continue on your journey without disrupting their nap schedule.
Find an infant car seat that has an attachable carrier that attaches to the base or a stroller. This will let you quickly get your child in and out of the car, especially when their nap is about to end or they're hungry, thirsty or bored. It is also essential to examine the slots on the shoulder straps and position them properly for your child's size. If the straps aren't high enough or too low, they're not safe. high, they won't be used correctly and can be dangerous in a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used in conjunction with or without the base. car seat newborn insert is ideal for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. It is important to ensure that the lower anchors are on a European routing path and are simple to install and release and look for an audible click to ensure the seat is securely secured. It is important to choose a seat that comes with an easy harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's Click Connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seats are the next step from an infant carrier and can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirements for a booster seat. 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 transformed into boosters. However, they are usually heavier and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Car seats, specifically infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is vital to install car seats safely and correctly. Some factors that can impact this include the seat positioning and the angle of the base and the way to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be attached to a base that is in the vehicle, which is commonly referred to as a travel system. These seats are designed to be used rear-facing and are safer than forward-facing. The majority of car seats have an indicator of angle built-in that you can use to verify if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could have an angle adjustment.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat has an option to alter the height of the shoulder straps without the need to remove and adjust the straps. This can be a time-saver since you will have to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Certain cars have a hard point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby safety seats for cars. These are usually hidden in the crease between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks are custom made for the particular seat and will snap into place with only a little effort. When they are connected to the seat, you might hear a distinct sound.
It's also a good idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure it will work well for your family. If your child isn't comfortable or the car seat isn't able to fit into the base, it's best to look for another alternative.
Certain car seats are able to be installed without a base. This is beneficial if you use taxi or public transportation services such as Uber. It is possible to remove and install the seat without having a base by simply pressing a lever or a button. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Many will even provide the clear "click" when it is secure enough.