What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options to choose a car seat for their child: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Infant car seats are only suitable for rear-facing use, which means they are less durable.
Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This lets parents transfer their child from the car into a stroller easily without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about the security of an infant’s carrier seat, especially when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your baby as safely as possible in a crash. They are usually placed rear-facing, making them the best Car seats infant option for infants who are at the highest danger of injury in a vehicle accident.
They also have extra padding for additional head protection, and lower anchors to fix the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from moving during a collision. This is especially crucial for babies with necks that are large and heads that could be easily injured by the sudden stopping or collision. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, creating a travel system which allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to the stroller without having to worry about them.
Furthermore, the majority of infant car seats have an base that can be installed in other vehicles to allow you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride-sharing services often. It can also make traveling with infants on planes much more convenient.
Some models of infant carriers seats can be put on strollers that do not have an element of base. This lets you ensure your child’s safety on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is an excellent option for grandparents who want to help with the transportation of your child.
It is crucial to remember that an infant carrier is not meant to be left unattended on a soft surface. Infants can tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even suffocation. It is important to read the directions before using an infant seat in a new area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are sold as part of a “travel system” that is made up of the car seat base and pushchairsandprams stroller frame. These snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for babies since they allow parents to move their I-Spark Baby Car Seat for Kids Ages 100-150cm from the car to a stroller without having to wake the baby up. This feature alone makes it an important reason why more than 80percent of Babylist parents register for a baby seat!
Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and onto a stroller frame for walking around a park or grocery store. This is also a great feature to consider if you’re planning on using taxi or ride share service, as most of these services require that children be in a car seat.
Compared to convertible car seats, which must remain in the vehicle the infant car seats are usually lighter and more compact making them a great choice for families on-the-go. Some infant car seats have a handle so that parents can carry the seat themselves. This is particularly useful in the event of a trip planned that you don’t wish to wake your sleeping baby up for!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for newborns and then convert into a forward-facing seat for older children. These seats are a great choice if you are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as you can. There is even seats that convert to convert into a high back booster seat when your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Make sure to look for this when looking through options!
Ease of Use
An infant carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat which connects to a base in your car. They are designed to keep newborns and babies safe until they meet the height and weight requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats can be used with strollers. This makes it simple to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disrupting their nap schedule.
Look for a baby seat that is an attachable carrier that which you can connect to the base of a stroller or car. 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 thirsty, hungry or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to make sure they are placed correctly for your child. If the straps are too low or high, they aren’t properly used and could cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats also include lower anchors that are able to be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides or when traveling on airplanes. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors are on a European routing path and are easy to install and release, and we look for an audible click to ensure the seat is securely secured. It’s also beneficial to locate seats that have an easy-to-use harness as well as a 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 are able to be used until your child is at the weight or height requirements for the booster. They can be used alongside strollers, but they don’t offer the convenience and fit of a car seat for infants. 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
Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, is a challenge. It is essential to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. This is influenced by the position of the seat as well as the angle of base, and the way you handle the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are designed to be connected to a base that remains in the vehicle, a system commonly referred to as a travel system. These seats are made to be used rear-facing and are safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have a built-in angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base may have an angle adjustment.
It is also important to determine if the seat permits you to adjust the shoulder straps’ height without needing to unthread and replace them. This is a great time-saver since you will have to do it several times throughout the car seat’s use by your infant.
Certain cars have a hard point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant car safety seats. These are usually tucked deep into the crease between cushion back of the seat and the bottom. The hooks will be able to snap into place quickly as they are custom-made for the seat. When they are in place, you may hear a distinct sound.
It is also a great idea to test the car seat on the child before deciding if it works well for your family. If the car seat doesn’t fit into the base, or your child isn’t at ease, it’s time to look for a different alternative.
Some car seats can be installed without the base, which is useful when you travel by public transport or rely on taxi service like Uber. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for removing and installing the car seat without base, but the majority will permit you to do so by simply pressing an lever or button. Many will give you the clear “click” to indicate that it is secure enough.