What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When it comes to choosing a car seats, parents have two options: infant car seats or convertible seats. Infant car seats are only designed for rear-facing use, which means they last a little longer.
Infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates a travel system. Parents can effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are concerned about how secure an infant carrier seat is, especially if they are purchasing one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant carrier seat was created to safeguard your child as safe as possible in a crash. Most often they are set with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants at the highest danger of injury in a crash.
They also have additional padding for added head protection as well as lower anchors to fix the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to stop it from moving during a collision. This is particularly important with infants who have large necks and heads that are susceptible to injury from 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 be easily transferred from your car to the stroller and back again without causing any disturbance to your baby.
Many infant car seats have a base that can be used in other vehicles. This lets you bring your child wherever you go. This is ideal for parents who take taxis or ride sharing services often. It also makes travelling with a baby 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 allows you to keep your child safe on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to assist you with transporting your child.
It's important to remember that a baby car seat is not meant to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies can tip or roll over, causing injuries or even the possibility of suffocation. This is why you should always be sure to read the safety guidelines carefully before using a car seat for your infant in a different place.
Portability
Many infant car seats come as part of a "travel system" which is a combination of the car seat base and the frame for the stroller. They snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for babies as they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and vice versa without having to wake them up. This alone is an important reason why more than 90% of Babylist parents sign up for a baby seat!
Many infant car seats work with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to quickly take their child out of the car and onto the frame of a stroller to walk around the park or at the grocery store. This is a great option to consider when you're considering using a ride share or taxi service, since most of these services require that children be in car seats.
Infant car seats are generally lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are a great option for families that like to travel. Some infant car seats also come with a handle so parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful for those planning a trip that you don't want to wake up your sleeping baby for.
Infant car seats last until your baby becomes a toddler and they outgrow 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 seats are a great choice for parents who want to keep your child in a safe car seat for as long as you can. You can also find seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat when your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the height and weight limits). Make sure to check for this when browsing options!
Ease of Use
An infant carrier seat is an infant car seat that faces the rear and can be connected to a base in your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and newborns secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which will make it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and continue on your journey without disturbing their nap time.
Look for an infant car seat that has an attachable carrier that attaches to the base or a stroller. 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 hungry, thirsty or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to ensure they're properly positioned for your child. If the straps aren't low enough or high, they aren't used correctly and can be dangerous in a crash.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used without or with the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or traveling via plane. It's important to check that the lower anchors have an European routing path and are easy to install and release, and we look for an audible click when the seat is securely secured. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and carrier adjustment features, like Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.
Convertible car seats are the next step from an infant carrier. They can be used until your child reaches their weight or height requirements for the booster seat. They can be used in conjunction with a stroller but don't provide the newborn fit and convenience of a baby car seat. www.pushchairsandprams.uk can be transformed into boosters. However, they are usually more bulkier and less mobile. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in crowded areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, is a challenge. It is essential to install car seats safely and correctly. This can be affected by the position of your seat and the angle of the base, and also the way you handle the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be attached to a base that remains in the vehicle, a system commonly referred to as a traveling system. They are designed to be used in a rear-facing position, which is safer for infants than forward-facing car seats. Most car seats come with an angle indicator built in that you can use to check if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could include an adjustable angle.
It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without having to unthread and repeat the process. This can be a time-saver since you will have to do this several times throughout the car seat's use by your infant.
Some cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion in the back of the seat and the bottom cushion. These hooks are custom made for the particular seat and will snap into place with little effort. When they are connected to your seat, you will hear a distinct sound.
It is an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make certain that it is suitable for your family. If the car seat does not click into the base or your child is not comfortable, it's time to look for a different option.
Some car seats can be put in without a base, which is useful for those who use public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. Follow the manufacturer's directions on how to remove and install the carrier without the base, but the majority will permit you to do this with the simple press of the lever or button. Many will even provide the clear "click" to indicate that it is secure enough.