What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seat parents have two choices: infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are suitable for rear-facing use, which means they last a little longer.
The infant carrier seats are usually compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. Parents can easily take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how secure an infant carrier seat is, especially when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to safeguard your baby as safely as is possible in the event of a crash. Most of the time they are placed with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants at the greatest chance of being injured in a crash.
infant car seats on sale feature extra padding to provide additional head protection, as well as lower anchors to secure the seat to the chassis in the event in the event of an accident. This is particularly crucial for infants with large necks and heads that can be easily injured in a sudden stop or crash. In addition, many infant carriers are designed to be compatible with strollers to create a system that is easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back again without disturbing your baby.
In addition, many infant car seats come with bases that can be fitted in other vehicles, allowing you to take your child with you no matter where you go. This is great for those who take taxis or ride sharing services frequently. It can also make traveling with an infant on planes much easier.
Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that do not have an element of 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 help with transporting your child, too!
It is also important to remember that a child's car seat should never be left unattended in the vehicle, since infants could tip or roll over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and possibly the risk of suffocation. It is crucial to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new location.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed as part of the travel system, which is a combination of car seat base and stroller frame that snap together to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies since they allow parents to transfer their baby from the car to a stroller without waking the baby up. This feature is the main reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents choose to purchase an infant seat.
Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to take their baby from their car and place it on a frame for a stroller to allow them to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is a great feature to look for if you're planning on using a ride share or taxi service, since most of these services require that the child be in a car seat.
Compared to convertible car seats that must be kept in the vehicle baby car seats are typically smaller and lighter making them an ideal option for families that are constantly on the move. In addition, certain brands of infant car seats have the option of a handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful in the event of a trip planned that you don't want to wake your baby!
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great option if you want to keep your baby in a secure car seat for as long as possible. There is even seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat once your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Just be sure to check for this when browsing options!
Ease of Use
A baby carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat which clicks into a base installed in your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants safe until they reach weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which will allow you to easily transfer your baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disturbing their nap schedule.
Look for an infant car seat that has a detachable carrier that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will make it much easier to get your baby in and out of the vehicle especially when their nap is over or they are hungry, thirsty or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to ensure they're properly positioned for your child. If the straps have been placed too low or high they won't be able to be properly used in a crash, and they could be risky.
Certain infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides or when traveling on planes. Check that the lower anchors are easy to install, have a European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It is essential to select a seat that has an easy harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's Click Connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.
Convertible car seats are the next level from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child has reached their height or weight requirement for the booster seat. They can be used with a stroller, but don't offer the newborn fit and convenience of a car seat for infants. Some convertible seats convert into boosters but they're generally bigger and more difficult to transport which makes them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children around busy areas.
Installation
Car seats, specifically infant car seats, are difficult to install. It is essential to do so in a safe and secure manner. A few factors that could affect this include the position of the seat, the angle of the base and how to use the handle.
Most infant car seats are designed to be attached to a base that is in the vehicle, which is commonly referred to as a traveling system. They are designed to be used in the rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing seats. Most car seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to make sure the seat is at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base could also have an adjustor to change the angle.
You should also check if the seat permits you to adjust the shoulder straps' height without needing to remove and repeat the process. This can be a real time saver, as it will likely require multiple times during the course of the car seat of an infant.
Some cars have a rigid spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks ought to snap into place with ease since they are made specifically for the specific seat. When they are connected to your seat, you will hear a distinct noise.
It's also a good idea to try the car seat with a child first to ensure it's suitable for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat doesn't fit into the base, you should look for another alternative.
Certain car seats are able to be installed without the base. This is a great option for those who use taxi or public transportation such as Uber. It is common to remove and install the carrier without the base by pressing a lever. Check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many will give you a "click" to signal that it's secure.