What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seats, parents have two options: infant car seats or convertible car seats. Infant car seats offer an enticingly short time of use because they can only be used with rear-facing.
Infant carrier seats can be used with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates an ideal travel system. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car into a stroller with ease without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents have concerns about how secure an infant carrier seat is, particularly if they are purchasing one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was designed to safeguard your child as safely as possible in a crash. Typically they are set with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants at the greatest danger of injury in a vehicle crash.
They also come with extra padding to provide additional head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to your vehicle's chassis to stop it from moving in a collision. This is especially crucial for infants who have large necks and heads that are easily injured in a sudden stop or crash. The majority of infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, creating a travel system that allows you to easily move your baby from your car to your stroller, without disturbing them.
The majority of infant car seats have a base that can be used in other vehicles. pushchairsandprams.uk lets you bring your child wherever you go. This is great when you regularly take a taxi or ride-sharing service and can make traveling on planes with your infant a lot easier too.
Certain infant carrier seats can be put on strollers that don't have a base. This lets you ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is an excellent option for grandparents who want to help you transport your child.
It's important to remember that a baby car seat is not intended to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries and even suffocation. This is why it is important to read the safety instructions carefully before using an infant car seat in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are designed to be part of the travel system, which is a combination of car frame and seat base which snap into one another to allow seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for infants since they permit parents to move their child from the car to the stroller, and vice versa without needing to get them up. This feature is the main reason that more than 80% of Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.
Many infant car seats can be used with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and put them on a stroller frame to walk around the park or at the grocery store. This is an excellent feature to look out for if you are considering using an Uber or taxi service. The majority of these services require children to be in a safety seat.
Compared to convertible car seats, that must be kept in the car baby car seats are usually lighter and more compact making them a great option for families who are on the move. Additionally, some infant car seats have the option of a handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful if you are planning a trip you don't want to wake up your sleeping baby for.
While infant car seats only last until your baby is an adult and has outgrown the weight and height 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 for parents who are looking to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as possible. There is even seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat once your child has outgrown the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Just be sure to check for this when you are looking at options!
Ease of Use
A baby carrier seat is an infant car seat that faces the rear and connects to a base in your car. They are designed to keep infants and babies safe until they meet the height and weight requirements for a booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which will allow you to easily transfer the baby from the car to the stroller and continue on your journey without disrupting their nap time.
Look for an infant car seat with a detachable carrier that easily attaches to the base or a stroller. This will make it easier to get your baby in and out of the vehicle, especially when their nap is over or they are thirsty, hungry, or bored. Check the shoulder strap slots to make sure they are placed correctly for your child. If the straps aren't low enough or high, they aren't utilized correctly and could cause injury in a crash.
Some infant car seats also come with lower anchors that can be used in lieu of the base, which is ideal for taxi rides as well as when traveling on airplanes. It is essential to confirm that the lower anchors have an European routing path and are simple to set up and remove, and we look for an audible click when the seat is secured properly. It's also beneficial to locate a seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustment mechanism, such as the Graco Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seats are the next step following an infant carrier. They can be used until your child meets the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used combination with a stroller, but they don't offer the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted to boosters. However, they are usually larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats is difficult. It is important to do it safely and correctly. The factors that affect this include the position of the seat and the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.
Most infant car seats are made to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, a system often called a travel system. They are designed to be used in the rear position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most car seats have an integrated angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is in the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base could have an angle adjustment.
Another thing to consider is if the seat comes with an option to alter the height of the shoulder straps without having to disengage and reconnect the straps. This can be a time-saver as you'll need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.
Some cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold baby safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks are made specifically for the specific seat and should snap into place with only a little effort. When they are connected, you may hear a distinct noise.
It's also a good idea to test out the car seat with the child first to ensure it's suitable for your family. If your child feels uncomfortable or the car seat isn't able to connect to the base, you should search for a different option.
Certain car seats can be capable of being installed without the base. This is helpful if you use taxi or public transportation like Uber. Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to remove and install the car seat without base, but most will permit you to do it by pressing the lever or button. Many will provide the "click" to signal that you're safe.