What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

Parents have two options when choosing a car seat for their infant: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Infant car seats are only suitable for rear-facing use which means they are less durable.

Infant carrier seats can be used with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates an entire travel system. This lets parents quickly take their child out of the car and into a stroller without disturbing their sleep.

Safety

Many parents have concerns about how secure the infant car seat is, particularly if they are purchasing one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to protect your child as safely as it is possible in the event of a collision. They are typically placed in the rear, which makes them the best car seat option for infants that are at highest danger of injury in a vehicle accident.

They also have extra padding for additional head protection and lower anchors to secure the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from shifting in a collision. This is especially important for young infants, who have big heads and necks that are easily injured by the force of a collision or sudden stop. Most infant carrier seats can be used with strollers, forming a travel system that lets you easily move your baby from your car to your stroller without having to worry about them.

Furthermore, the majority of infant car seats have a base that can be used in other vehicles to allow you to take your child along with you wherever you go. This is great when you regularly use ride-sharing or taxi services and can make travelling on airplanes with your infant a lot easier too.

Certain infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that do not have an base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety on all kinds of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who wish to assist you in transporting your baby, too!

It is important to remember, too, 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 and even suffocation. It is essential to follow the instructions prior to using an infant seat in a new location.

Portability

Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system" that is a combination of the car seat base and the frame of the stroller. They connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are great for infants, since they allow parents the ability to move their baby from the car to a stroller without having to wake him up. This is the primary reason that more than 80% Babylist parents choose to purchase an infant seat.

Additionally, a lot of infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. Stroller compatibility lets parents effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller frame to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is a great feature to look out for if you are planning to use a ride-sharing or taxi service. The majority of these services require children to be in a safety seat.

As opposed to convertible car seats which are required to be in the car baby car seats are typically lighter and more compact making them a convenient choice for families on-the-go. Additionally, some infant car seats have a carrying handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is particularly useful when you have a trip scheduled that you don't want to wake your baby up for!

Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great choice if you want to keep your baby in a safe car seat for as long as possible. You can find a convertible car seat that converts into a high-back booster seat when your child outgrows its harness (or reaches the limit on weight and height). Be sure to look for this when you are looking at choices!

User-Friendliness

An infant carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat that clicks into a base installed in your car. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which can allow you to easily transfer the baby from the car to the stroller and continue your journey without disturbing their nap time.

Find an infant seat with an attachable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will let you quickly take your baby into and out of the car, especially if their nap is about to expire or if they're hungry, thirsty or bored. Check the shoulder strap slots to ensure they're positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are too low or high, they won't be utilized correctly and could be a risk in a crash.

Certain infant car seat travel car seats come with lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as for travel on airplanes. Check that the lower anchors are simple to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It's also beneficial to locate seats that have an easy-to-use harness as well as a carrier adjustment system, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.

Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They can be used up until your child is at the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used conjunction with a stroller, but they don't offer the infant-like fit or convenience of an infant carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted to boosters. However they're generally larger and less portable infant car seat. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in crowded areas.

Installation

Installing car seats, and especially infant car seats, can be difficult. It is essential to do so correctly and safely. This is influenced by the seat position, the angle of base, and how you handle the handle.

Most infant car seats can be connected to a base within the vehicle. This is commonly called"travel system" or "travel system". These seats are designed for rear-facing use, which is safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is placed at 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 a way to adjust the height of the shoulder strap without the need to remove and adjust the straps. This is a great time-saver, as you will need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.

Certain 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 between the seat back and bottom cushions. These hooks are made specifically for the particular seat and will snap into place with little effort. When they are in place to the seat, you might hear a distinct sound.

It is also a good idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure that it works for your family. If the car seat does not fit into the base, or your child isn't at ease, it's time to look for a different alternative.

Certain car seats can be equipped to be used without a base. This is beneficial when you travel by taxi or public transportation like Uber. You can usually remove and install the car seat without a base by pressing a lever or button. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Some will even give you the clear "click" when it's secure enough.