Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats work well for growing children but an infant seat is best for newborns. They're also smaller and easier to snap into a stroller than their larger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit's spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator on the base, and its user-friendliness (the more user-friendly a car seat is and is, the more likely parents will be to install it correctly). The model can also be used three across in the majority of mid-sized vehicles.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
Clek, one of the Canadian manufacturer, is renowned for its top-rated convertible car seats. The infant Liing is among their top infant seats. The seat comes with best-in class safety features including a steel load-leg and a simple installation. It also comes with 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to match the slope of your car's seat. Additionally, a simple bubble indicator makes it easy to make sure the seat is at the correct angle prior to your child's first ride in it.
The base of the Liing is simple to set up by using LATCH connections that are rigid and slide into the lower anchors which makes the seat much easier to secure. This makes the Liing an ideal choice for families who plan to change vehicles frequently or who want a quick, secure method of installing their baby's car seat. You can also utilize the belt-tensioning system included 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. The system comes with a lower insert which slides over the crotch strap as well as a headrest that is attached to harnesses to stop newborns from slumbering forward or pushing their heads backwards while in the seat. It's a game-changer for tiny babies and preemies, and it's one of the few rear-facing infant car seats to offer this type of support.
Another advantage of the Liing is its crash-testing frame, which can reduce the force of a crash by as much as 40 percent when compared to other infant seats. The shell of the seat is bolstered by EPP foam, which protects your child's head and body during the event of a crash. car seat newborn insert of the seat is constructed with a load leg made of metal that absorbs energy and helps diminish the likelihood of crashes, in addition.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is a consistent top-rated infant car seat. It's easy to install, easy to use and can grow with your child. It can also be used with strollers to create an overall travel system.
The KeyFit is a great choice for parents who want an easy-to-use, safe and flexible seat. It scored highly in crash tests and is light and easy to carry. It also offers a wide range of height and weight limits. It was also designed to guarantee the safety of babies. The click-in point has soft materials surrounding it so that your baby doesn't get burnt by metal. The infant insert comes with a head surround to shield their heads, and the seat pad that baby sits on has energy absorbing foam cushions for comfort.
The process of installing it correctly is simple. This is important because incorrectly installed infant seats can increase the chance of injury to your child. The KeyFit's LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch tightener create a secure fit with minimal effort. Plus, the base has a ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble level indicators to ensure the correct angle of the vehicle and a fast installation. And for alternate installation with the belt on the vehicle clear belt routing and lock-offs make it simple to position, install and tighten the car seat belt.
The harness height adjustment rethread feature is a feature found on a variety of Chicco seats, including the original Keyfit model. This means you have to manually re-thread straps in order to change from one level to the next. But this is still an acceptable trade-off for the convenience this seat provides.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The light Joie i-Snug 2 infant car seat meets the highest safety standards. It comes with a no-rethread harness, 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 aid in aligning the seat. The car seat has plenty of padding and is comfortable. It also has a convenient canopy that shields your baby from the sun.
The iSnug comes with an ISOFIX vehicle base that permits a secure vehicle attachment. It can also be used with a compatible stroller to create an entire travel system. This rear-facing infant seat offers maximum cervical and head protection for newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest is equipped with a layer of Intelli-Fit Memory Foam that protects your child from side impact crashes.
Like any infant car seat you'll have to replace it once your child outgrows the height and weight limits or when they reach their first birthday. In the meantime you can upgrade to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that allows children to sit rear-facing for longer and is more secure for them.
A convertible car seat is more spacious and has a higher rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant seat and generally has a bigger and more spacious interior. It is a good idea to change to a convertible seat as soon as is possible to stop your child from growing too quickly. In some cases parents may be able to transition their child to an all-in-one car seats without ever having to purchase a new infant car seat. For that reason, it is crucial to select the best convertible car seat for your family. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to provide all the details you require to make the best decision.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is one of the most highly-rated infant car seats due to its safety, lightweight design and the versatility. It installs with rigid lower anchors on the outboard seats in the majority of vehicles and also with a seat belt for the vehicle that utilizes Euro routing (which utilizes pretty much the entire length of a car's seat belt for an extremely secure installation). It also comes with a GOTS organic cotton infant insert, making it an option for environmentally conscious parents who prioritize organic choices for their child.
The Pipa Aire RX weighs only 6 lbs. without the canopy or inserts. It is one of the lightest infant car seat on the market. This is due to the unique Aeroflex foam that is extremely light yet resilient, minimizing the force that is transferred to your baby in a crash. Other safety features include a 5 second steel-reinforced True base lock installation side impact protection and a multi-position stability leg with crumple zones that limit forward rotation for enhanced rear-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum carry handle that's both light and luxurious with leatherette accents for comfortable toting and superb grip. The magnetic buckle holders keep straps out of from the way while you buckle your child and color-coded indicator lights to ensure proper connections. The low-profile base allows for easy, super-fast loading and the open belt path with lock-off secures lap and shoulder belts.
Parenting is messy But cleaning up doesn't be a chore. The inserts and fabrics of the Pipa Aire RX can be cleaned by a machine to ensure that your car seat appears like it did following each use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
While Nuna's PIPA RX and PIPA Air rx car seats are both great alternatives, the new Pipa Urbn takes it all to a whole new level. This ultralight infant car seat is extremely easy to carry, and weighs less than 7 pounds with the canopy and insert. It also has a luxe user-friendly design, with practical features like buckle holders that are magnetic to 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 wish that all car seats came with this! ).
The unique pipaFIX technology allows it to be used without the base, unlike the Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that need a base to be installed. This makes it a perfect option for parents who regularly use rideshare or taxi services, travel, or just want the ability to transfer their car seat between vehicles faster and more easily.
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 main issue with the Pipa Urbn is that it only has the rear-facing weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds, which means you might have to change to a convertible car seat sooner than some other brands. That said, it is still a top pick for most infants. This car seat is also compatible with travel systems and works with all Nuna strollers. You just need to click it on or attach using the ring adapter.