What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seat, parents have two options of infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are only suitable for rear-facing use, so they last a little longer.
Infant carriers can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are available separately). This creates a travel system. This lets parents get their baby out of the car to the stroller without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about how secure the infant car seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was designed to protect your child as safe as is possible in the event of a crash. Typically they are set with the infant facing the rear. This is why they are the best choice for infants at the greatest chance of being injured in a crash.
They also come with additional padding for head protection, as well as lower anchors that secure the seat to the vehicle's chassis in case in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young infants, who have big heads and necks that are easily injured by the force of a crash or sudden stop. In addition, most infant carriers are designed to work with strollers to create a system that can easily be moved from your car to the stroller, and back without disturbing your child.
The majority of infant car seats come with a base which can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to take your child wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride-sharing services frequently. It can also make traveling with infants on planes a lot easier.
Some models of infant carriers seats can be used on strollers that don't have an element of base. This lets you ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who want to assist you with transporting your child.
It is important to remember that a baby car seat is not designed to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even suffocation. This is why you should always read the safety instructions carefully prior to using a car seat for your infant in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to function as part of an overall travel system, a combination of car frame and seat base which snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they allow parents to move their child from the car to the stroller and vice versa without needing to awake them. This alone is the main reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents register for a seat for their infant!
Many infant car seats can be used with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a great option to consider when you're considering using a ride share or taxi service, as most of these services require that children be in car seats.
Infant car seats are generally smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are an ideal choice for families who like to be active. Furthermore, certain brands of infant car seats come with the option of a handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is especially helpful when you're planning a trip that you do not want to awake your baby for.
Car seats for infants only last until your baby is a toddler and they outgrow the height and weight 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 all-in-one car seats are an excellent choice if you want to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as is possible. There is even an convertible seat that can transform into a high back booster seat once your child is no longer in the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Make sure to check for this feature when looking through choices!
User-Friendliness
A baby carrier seat is an infant car seat that faces the rear and clicks into a base installed in your vehicle. They are designed to keep infants and young babies secure until they reach the height and weight requirements for the booster seat. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers. This 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 seat that has an adjustable carrier that which you can connect to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will make it much easier to get your baby in and out of the car, especially when their nap is over or they are thirsty, hungry, or bored. It's also important to check the shoulder strap slots and position them properly to fit your child's height. If the straps aren't low enough or high, they won't be utilized correctly and could cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats include lower anchors that are able to be used in lieu of the base, which is ideal for taxi rides as well as when traveling on planes. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors are on a European routing path and are simple to set up and remove and look for an audible click when the seat is securely secured. It's also beneficial to locate a seat with an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
baby seat are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirements for the booster seat. They can be used combination with strollers however they do not offer the convenience or fit for a newborn of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be transformed into boosters. However they tend to be more bulkier and less mobile. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Car seats, particularly infant car seats, are difficult to install. It is important to do so in a safe and secure manner. This can be affected by the seat position as well as the angle of base, and the way you handle the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that is in the vehicle, a system commonly referred to as a travel system. They are designed to be used rear-facing, which is safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have an indicator of angle built-in that you can use to verify whether the seat is at the right semi-reclined position for your child. The base might have an angle adjustor.
It is also important to determine if the seat can adjust the height of the shoulder straps without needing to unthread and rethread them. This is a huge time saver, as you will need to do it multiple times throughout the child's car seat use.
Lastly, some cars have hard points in the back of the seat specifically designed to hold infant car seats. These are usually tucked into the crease between the seat back cushion and the bottom cushion. These hooks are custom made for the specific seat and are designed to snap into place with little effort. When they are in place, you may hear a distinct sound.
It's also a good idea to test out the car seat with the child before deciding if it works well for your family. If your child isn't comfortable or the car seat isn't able to click into the base, it's best to search for a different option.
Some car seats can be used without the base, which is useful if you take public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to remove and install the car seat without base, but most will allow you to do so by pressing an lever or button. Many will provide a "click" to inform you when it's secured.