What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when choosing the right car seat for their baby: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants have an enticingly short time of use as they are only used with rear-facing.
Infant carrier seats can be used with strollers. (Adapters are available separately). This creates an ideal travel system. Parents can effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the safety of an infant carrier seat, particularly when they buy one for the first time. However, as with any car seat on the market, an infant's seat is designed to be as safe as it is possible to safeguard your baby during an accident. Most of the time they are set with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the best option for infants with the greatest chance of being injured in a vehicle crash.
They also have additional padding to provide additional head protection as well as lower anchors to fix the seat to your vehicle's chassis to stop it from moving during a collision. This is especially important for young infants who have large necks and heads that could be easily injured by a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a system that allows you to easily move your baby 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 allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is ideal for parents who use taxis or ride-sharing services often. It can also make traveling with infants on planes much easier.
Some infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that do not have an base. This allows you to keep your child safe on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who want 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 infants could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and even death. This is why it is important to review the safety instructions thoroughly prior to using an infant car seat in a different location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to be part of the travel system, which is a combination of car frame and seat base that snap into one another for seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for babies since they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa without needing to wake them up. This feature alone makes it a huge reason more than 80percent of Babylist parents register for a baby seat!
Many infant car seats work with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame for walking through a park or a grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to consider when you plan on using an Uber or taxi service. The majority of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
Infant car seats are usually lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are a great choice for families who like to be active. Some infant car seats have a handle so that parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is particularly useful for those planning a trip you don't want wake up your sleeping baby for.
While infant car seats only last until your baby becomes a toddler and they outgrow 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 ideal if you want to keep your child in a secure seat for as long as it is possible. You can also find seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat when your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Be sure to search for this when looking through the options!
Ease of Use
An infant car seat is a rear-facing car seat that clicks into a base installed in 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 will make it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disrupting their nap time.
Look for infant car seat cheap pushchairsandprams.uk with a detachable carrier that easily attaches to the base or a stroller. This will make it easier to get your child into and out of the vehicle, especially when their nap is about to end or they are thirsty, hungry or bored. It is also essential to examine the shoulder strap slots and make sure they're properly placed for your child's size. If the straps have been placed too high or low, they cannot be used correctly in a crash and could be risky.
Certain infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without or with the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or traveling via plane. Check that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It's also beneficial to locate a seat that has an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment system, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant carrier. They can be used until your child reaches the height or weight requirements for the booster. They can be used in combination with a stroller, but they don't offer the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters but they're generally larger and less portable and therefore difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, specifically infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is essential to install car seats correctly and safely. The factors that affect this include the seat positioning as well as the angle of the base, and how to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are connected to a base within the vehicle. This is commonly called"travel system" or "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 have an angle indicator built in that you can use to check if the seat is set at the right semi-reclined position for your child. The base could have an angle adjustment.
Another feature to look for is if the seat comes with an option to alter the height of the shoulder straps without having to disengage and rethread the straps. This can be a time-saver as you'll need to do it several times throughout the car seat's use by your infant.
Lastly, some cars have hard points in the back seat specifically designed for infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are custom made for the specific seat and are designed to be able to snap into place with minimal effort. Once they are attached to the seat, you might hear a distinct noise.
It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure it will work well for your family. If the car seat doesn't connect to the base or your child is not comfortable, it's time for you to consider a different alternative.
Certain car seats can be able to be installed without the base. This is beneficial for those who use taxi or public transportation such as Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions for removing and installing the vehicle without the base, but most will permit you to do this by simply pressing an lever or button. Many will give you a clear "click" to indicate that it is secure enough.