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What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
When choosing a car seat parents have two choices either infant car seats or convertible car seats. Infant car seats offer a shorter duration of use because they can only be used with rear-facing.
Infant carriers can be used in conjunction with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates an ideal travel system. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car to a stroller easily without disturbing them.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the security of an infant's carrier seat, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. Like all car seats, the infant seat was created to safeguard your child as safely as is possible in the event of a crash. They are usually placed in the rear, which makes them the ideal choice for infants who are at the highest risk of injury in a vehicle accident.
These seats also feature extra padding to offer head protection, as well as lower anchors that hold the seat to the chassis in case in the event of an accident. This is particularly important with young infants, who have big 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 without causing a disturbance to your baby.
The majority of infant car seats come with a base which can be used in other vehicles. This lets you take your child wherever you go. This is a great option for parents who take taxis or ride-sharing services often. It can also make traveling with an infant on planes much more convenient.
Certain infant carrier seats are even suitable for use on strollers that do not have a base, allowing you to keep your baby safe throughout all sorts of adventures and trips. This is a great option for grandparents who want to help with the transportation of your child.
It is also important to remember that an infant carrier seat is not meant to be left unattended in a vehicle, as babies can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, which can lead to injuries and possibly death. This is why it is important to read the safety instructions carefully prior to using a car seat for your infant in a different location.
Portability
Many infant car seats come as part of a "travel system", which is an amalgamation of the car seat base and the frame for the stroller. These connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for infants since they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller, and vice versa without needing to get them up. This feature is the main reason why more than 80% Babylist parents choose to purchase an infant seat.
Many infant car seats are compatible with the majority of strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to easily take their baby out of the car and onto the frame of a stroller to walk through a park or a grocery store. This is a great feature to look out for if you are considering using a taxi or ride-sharing service. Most of these services require children to be secured in a seat.
Infant car seats are generally lighter and smaller than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families who prefer to travel. Additionally, some brands of infant car seats come with the option of a handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is especially useful if you are planning a trip that you do not want to wake up your sleeping baby for.
Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing for infants, but can be converted into a forward-facing seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are an excellent choice when 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 has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the limit on weight and height). Be sure to look for this when you are looking at options!
User-Friendliness
An infant carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat which 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 the booster seat. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which can allow you to easily move the baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disturbing their nap time.
Look for an infant car seat that has an attachable carrier that connects to the base of a stroller. This will make it easier to get your baby in and out of the car, especially when their nap is ending or they are thirsty, hungry or bored. Check the shoulder strap slots to make sure they are positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are placed too low or high, they cannot be properly used in a crash and can be risky.
Some infant car seats have lower anchors which can be used without or with the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or traveling via plane. Be sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is secured properly. It is also beneficial to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustment system, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seats are the next step up from an infant carrier and can be used until your child reaches their height or weight requirement for a booster seat. They can be used in combination with a stroller but they don't provide the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters. However, they are usually larger and less portable. This makes them difficult to maneuver in small vehicles or in congested areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, particularly infant car seats, can be difficult. It is important to do it in a safe and secure manner. The factors that affect this include the seating position as well as the angle of the base and the best way to use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that is in the vehicle, a system often called a 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 at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base could also have an adjustor to change the angle.
It is also important to determine if the seat allows you to adjust the shoulder straps' height without having to unthread and rethread them. This can be a significant time saver, as it will probably have to be done several times throughout the use of a car seat for infants.
Additionally, certain cars have hard points in the back seat that are specifically designed to hold infant car seats. They are typically tucked into the crease that runs between the cushion on the back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are made specifically for the specific seat and should be able to snap into place with minimal effort. They may also make an audible sound when they are securely connected.
It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to be sure it will work well for your family. If the car seat doesn't fit into the base, or your child is not comfortable, it's time to consider a different alternative.
Some car seats can be used without a base, which is beneficial if you take public transportation or rely on taxi services like Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer on how to remove and install the carrier without the base, but the majority will allow you to do this by simply pressing the lever or button. Many will even give you an explicit "click" when it is secure enough.
