What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When choosing a car seat, parents have two options: infant car seats or convertible seats. Infant car seats are only suitable for rear-facing use, which means they are less durable.
The infant carrier seats are usually compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This allows parents to effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about the security of an infant's carrier seat, particularly when they buy one for the first time. As with any car seat on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as secure as is possible to protect your baby during a crash. They are usually placed in the rear, which makes them the ideal choice for infants who are at the highest danger of injury in a car accident.
They also have extra padding for added head protection as well as lower anchors that secure the seat to the vehicle's chassis to prevent it from shifting in the event of a collision. This is particularly important for young babies with necks that are large and heads that could be easily injured by an abrupt stop or crash. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, forming a travel system that lets you easily transfer your baby from your car to your stroller without disrupting them.
The majority of infant car seats have a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you bring your child wherever you go. This is particularly beneficial if you frequently use taxi or ride-sharing services as it makes travelling on airplanes with your infant much easier too.
Some infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that do not have a base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who wish to assist you with transporting your child.
It's also important to remember that a baby car seat is never meant to be left unattended outside of the vehicle, since infants could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and even the risk of suffocation. It is essential to read the directions before using an infant seat in a new place.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of the travel system, which is a combination of car seat base and stroller frame that snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies since they give parents the option to transfer their baby from a car to a stroller without waking the baby up. This feature alone makes it the main reason why more than 80percent of Babylist parents sign up for a baby seat!
Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to remove their child from the car and put it on a frame for a stroller so that they can stroll around a park or supermarket. This is an excellent feature to look for when you are considering using a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
Compared to convertible car seats, which are required to be in the vehicle baby car seats are typically smaller and lighter, making them a convenient option for families who are on the move. Additionally, some brands of infant car seats come with a carrying handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is particularly useful for those planning a trip that you don't want to awake your baby for.
Car seats for infants only last until your baby becomes a toddler and they have outgrown the weight and height limits Some convertible car seats can be used as a rear-facing baby car seat, then changed to a forward-facing car seat for older children. These seats are a great choice if you want to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as is possible. You can also find seats that convert to convert into a high back booster seat when your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Be sure to look for this when you browse options!
Easy to Use
A rear-facing infant car seat is car seat that snaps into base of your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and young babies safe until they meet the height and weight requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it easy to transfer your baby from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap time.
Find Push Chairs & Prams that has a detachable car seat that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will allow you to quickly get your child in and out of the car, especially if their nap is about to expire or if they're thirsty, hungry or bored. It's also important to look over the shoulder strap slots and position them properly to fit your child's height. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't utilized correctly and could cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats also have lower anchors that can be used in lieu of the base, which is ideal for taxi rides and when traveling on airplanes. Check that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We can also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment features, like the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next level from an infant carrier and can be used until your child has reached their height or weight requirement for a booster seat. They can be used alongside a stroller but don't provide the infant-like fit and convenience of a car seat for infants. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters. However, they are usually more bulkier and less mobile. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, can be difficult to install. It is crucial to do it safely and correctly. This can be affected by the position of the seat, the angle of base, and also the way you use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, which is commonly referred to as a travel system. They are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most car seats come with an indicator of angle built-in that can be used to determine whether the seat is in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could also have an adjustable feature to change the angle.
Another thing to consider is if the seat comes with an option to alter the height of the shoulder strap without the need to remove and rethread the straps. This is a huge time saver since you will have to do it several times throughout the car seat's use by your infant.
Finally, some cars come with hard points on the back of the seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between seat back and bottom cushions. These hooks should snap into place easily as they are designed specifically to fit the seat. They can also produce an audible sound when they are securely connected.
It's also a good idea to test out the car seat on a child before deciding if it is suitable for your family. If the car seat doesn't click into the base or your child is not comfortable, it's time for you to find another option.
Certain car seats are able to be installed without the base. This is a great option if you use taxi or public transportation services like Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer for removing and putting in the carrier without the base, but most will permit you to do so with the simple press of an lever or button. Many will even give you a clear "click" when it is secure enough.