Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats work great for growing children but an infant seat is best for babies. They are also lighter and easier to click into strollers than their larger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy praised the Chicco KeyFit's recline foot that is spring-loaded and bubble indicator on the base, and its user-friendliness (the more user-friendly a car seat is and is, the more likely parents are to set it up correctly). This model also fits three across in many midsize vehicles.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is known for their best-rated convertible car seats and the infant Liing is one of their top infant seats. It is a top-of-the-line safety features like a metal load leg, which is easy to install. user-friendly installation, and 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to the slope of your car seat. Plus, a simple bubble indicator makes it simple to make sure the seat is in the correct position before your child rides in it.
The base of the Liing is easy to install by using LATCH connectors made of rigid material that slide into the lower anchors of your car, making it easier to anchor the seat. This makes the Liing an excellent choice for families that plan to switch vehicles often or for those who require a quick and secure method of installing their child's car seat. You can also use the belt-tensioning system that comes with it to secure your child.
The Liing's 2-piece Newborn System is just one of the features that sets it apart from other infant car seats. It includes an upper insert that can slide over the crotch buckle as well as an attachment for the head that connects to the harness to help prevent newborns from sagging or pushing their heads forward while they're in the seat. It's a game-changer for tiny infants and preemies and is one of the few rear-facing infant car seats that offer this kind of support.
Another excellent feature of the Liing is its crash-testing frame, which reduces the force of a crash by as much as 40 percent in comparison to other infant seats. The shell of the Liing is padded with EPP foam, which protects your child's head and torso, which are most vulnerable in a collision. The base of the seat is designed with a load leg made of metal that absorbs energy and reduces the risk of the likelihood of crashes, in addition.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is a consistent top-rated infant car seat. It's easy to set up, simple to use and will grow with your baby. It also works well with strollers as an overall travel system.
The KeyFit is a great option for parents who want a safe, flexible and easy-to-use seat. It scored a high score in crash tests, is lightweight and comfortable to carry. It also has a good range of height/weight limits. It was also designed to ensure the comfort of infants. The click-in area is surrounded by soft materials to protect your baby from getting burned by metal. The insert for newborns comes with a head-cover which protects their heads. The seat pad, on which the baby sits on, nestles them in foam cushions.
It's also among the easiest infant seats to set up correctly every time. It is essential to install the seat correctly, since a mistake in installation could increase your child's danger of injury. The KeyFit's LATCH connectors and a SuperCinch tightener provide a secure fit that requires minimal effort. infant car seats that swivel has a ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble-level-indicators to ensure the correct vehicle angle. And for alternate installation with the belt on the vehicle clear belt routing and lock-offs make it easy to set up, install and tighten the belt on the car seat.
The harness height adjustment rethread feature is a feature that is common on many Chicco seats, including the original Keyfit model. This means that you must manually re-thread straps in order to change from one level to the next. But this is still an acceptable trade-off for the ease of use this seat offers.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 is an i-Size infant car seats that is built to the most stringent safety standards. It has a no-rethread strap and is compatible with Joie Strollers that accept Maxi Cosi style adapters. The installation guide is clearly marked and bubble levels are built in to help align the seat. The car seat is comfortable, with plenty of padding. It also has a convenient canopy that protects your child from the sun.
The i-Snug 2 has an ISOFIX base to ensure a secure vehicle attachment. It can be used with a compatible stroller for a complete travel set-up. This rear-facing infant seat offers maximum cervical and head protection for infants. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest features a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam that protects your child from side impact crashes.
As with any infant car seat you'll have to replace it when your child reaches the weight and height limits or when they reach their first birthday. You can then upgrade to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. This allows your child to ride rearwards for longer, and is safer.
A convertible car seat is larger and more spacious than an infant seat, and has a higher weight and height limit when facing rearward. It's a good idea change to a convertible car seat as soon as possible to avoid your child from outgrowing it too quickly. In certain instances parents can even move their child to an all-in-one car seats without ever having to purchase a car seat for their infant. That's why it's important to choose the best convertible car seat for your family. Our comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is among the top-rated infant car seats because of its safety, light weight design and the versatility. It can be installed with rigid lower anchors in the seats that are outboard of most cars, and with the seat belts of vehicles using Euro Routing (which utilizes all of its length to ensure the installation is secure). It also comes with a GOTS organic cotton infant insert, which makes it a great option for parents who prefer organic alternatives for their child.
With a weight of just 6 pounds without the canopy and inserts the Pipa Aire RX is among the lightest infant car seats available on the market. This is due to the innovative Aeroflex foam that's incredibly lightweight yet incredibly strong, reducing force transferred to your baby during a crash. Other security features include a five-second steel-reinforced True base lock installation, side impact protection and a multi-position steel stability leg with crumple zones that limit forward rotation for enhanced rear-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum carry handle that's light and luxurious with leatherette accents to ensure comfort and a great grip. Magnetic buckle holders keep straps out from the way when you buckle your child, and color-coded indicators for installation ensure that the correct connections are made. The low-profile base allows for rapid loading, while the open belt path with lock-off secures shoulder and lap belts.
Parenting is messy, but cleaning up shouldn't have to be. The inserts and fabrics in the Pipa Aire RX are machine washable, so you can keep your car seat looking good as new after every use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
While Nuna's PIPA RX and PIPA aire rx car seats are both great alternatives, the recently launched Pipa Urbn takes it all to a new level. This ultralight infant car seat is lightweight and easy to carry, and weighs less than 7 pounds when the canopy and insert are attached. It also comes with elegant user-friendly design with useful features such as buckle holders with magnetic buckles to help keep straps from getting in the way while you're buckling baby in, and a green/red indicator to let you know the installation is secure (we would like to see all car seats had this! ).
This innovative pipaFIX system allows it to be used without a base, unlike the Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require a base to be installed. This makes it a great option for parents who frequently use taxis, rideshare services, or travel.
Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. The green-friendly materials include a Merino wool and Tencel branded lyocell blend headrest and a water-resistant, machine washable body cover and cover.
The Pipa Urbn comes with the weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when used rear-facing. This means that you might need to upgrade to a convertible seat sooner than with other brands. However, it is still a top choice for most infants. This car seat is compatible with Nuna's travel systems, and can be connected to all strollers by using the Ring adapter.