What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

When choosing a car seat parents have two choices either infant car seats or convertible car seats. Car seats for infants offer a shorter duration of use as they are only used with rear-facing.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a traveling system. This allows parents to effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disturbing their sleep.

Safety

Many parents have concerns about how safe the infant car seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. As with all car seats available on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as secure as it is possible to safeguard your newborn during the event of a crash. Most of the time they are placed with the infant facing the rear. This makes them the best option for infants at the greatest danger of injury in a vehicle crash.

They also have extra padding for added head protection, and lower anchors to fix the seat to your vehicle's chassis to prevent it from moving in a collision. This is particularly important for young infants with large necks and heads that are easily injured by a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, creating a system which allows you to effortlessly transfer your child from your car to your stroller without having to worry about them.

The majority of infant car seats include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to take your baby with you wherever you go. This is a great option when you regularly take a taxi or ride-sharing service as it makes traveling on planes with your child much more comfortable too.

Some infant carrier seats are 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 crucial to keep in mind that a baby car seat is not intended to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies can tip or roll over, causing injuries or even death. It is crucial to read the instructions before using an infant seat in a new place.

Portability

Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system", which is a combination of the car seat base and the frame for the stroller. They are able to snap together for seamless transitions. Travel systems are perfect for infants since they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and back without having to awake them. This feature alone makes it a huge reason more than 80percent of Babylist parents sign up for a baby seat!

In addition, many infant car seats are compatible with strollers of all types. The stroller compatibility feature allows parents to remove their child from the car and put it on a frame for a stroller so that they can stroll around a park or supermarket. This is a great feature to consider if you're planning on using taxi or ride share service, since most of these services require that children be in car seats.

Infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter than convertible car seats. They are an excellent option for families who prefer to be active. Furthermore, certain infant car seats have an e-handle that parents can use to transport the seat by themselves. This is particularly helpful if you have any trips planned that you don't want to wake your sleeping baby!

Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants and later convert to a forward-facing seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are great if you're looking to keep your child in a secure seat for as long as is possible. You can also find seats that convert to transform into a high back booster seat when your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Make sure to check for this feature when looking through choices!

Easy to Use

A baby carrier seat is a rear-facing car seat which connects to a base in your car. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers secure until they reach the weight and height requirements for the booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which can make it easy to move the baby from the car seat for newborn to the stroller and continue on your journey without disturbing their nap time.

Find an infant car seat that has a detachable car seat that easily connects to the base of a stroller. This will let you quickly take your baby into and out of the car, particularly when their nap is coming to expire or if they're hungry, thirsty, or bored. Examine the shoulder straps to ensure they're positioned correctly for your child. If the straps are placed too high or low, they cannot be used properly in a crash and can be risky.

Some infant car seats also have lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is ideal for taxi rides and when traveling on airplanes. Check that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We also listen for an audible "click" when the seat is properly secured. It's also helpful to find a seat that has an easy-to-use harness and adjustment system, such as Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure feature.

Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant car seat that swivels carrier. They are able to be used until your child meets the height or weight requirements for the booster. They can be used with a stroller, but don't offer the newborn fit and convenience of an infant car seat. Some convertible seats can be converted into boosters however they are generally larger and less portable infant car seat and therefore difficult to maneuver in small cars or when transporting children in busy areas.

Installation

Installing car seats, particularly infant car seats, can be difficult. It is crucial to do it safely and correctly. This is influenced by the position of the seat as well as the angle of base, and how you handle the handle.

The majority of infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that is in the vehicle, a combination often called a travel 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 have a built-in angle indicator that can be used to verify that the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby. The base might have an angle adjustment.

Another feature to look out for is if the seat comes with a way to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without the need to remove and reconnect the straps. This is a huge time saver since you will have to do it multiple times throughout the child's car seat use.

Some cars have a hard point in the back of the seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually 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 are designed to be able to snap into place with minimal effort. Once they are attached to your seat, you will hear a distinct sound.

It's an excellent idea to test the car seat with a child to make sure it will work well for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat doesn't connect to the base, you should search for a different alternative.

Some car seats can be put in without the base, which is useful for those who use public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer for removing and putting in the car seat without base, but most will allow you to do so with the simple press of a button or lever. Some will even provide the clear "click" when it's secure enough.