What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

When it comes to choosing a car seat parents have two choices: infant car seats or convertible seats. Infant car seats are only suitable for rear-facing use therefore they have a shorter lifespan.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to create a travel system. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car to a stroller easily without causing any disturbance to them.

Safety

Many parents have concerns about how secure the infant car seat is, particularly when they purchase one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant seat was designed to protect your child as safe as is possible in the event of a crash. They are typically placed rear-facing, making them the best choice for infants who face the highest danger of injury in a vehicle accident.

These seats also feature extra padding to provide additional head protection, and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis in case in the event of an accident. This is especially important for young infants, who have large necks and heads 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 effortlessly transfer your child from your car to your stroller, without disturbing them.

Additionally, most infant car seats have bases that can be used in other vehicles to permit you to take your child with you no matter where you go. This is great for those who frequently use taxi or ride-sharing services, and it can make traveling on planes with your infant a lot easier too.

Some infant carrier seats can be used on strollers that don't have an element of base. This allows you to ensure your child's safety during all sorts of excursions and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who wish to help with transporting your lightweight baby car seat, too!

It is also important to remember that a child's car seat is not meant to be left alone outside of a vehicle, as infants can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, causing injuries and possibly death. This is why you must be sure to read the safety guidelines carefully prior to using a car seat for your infant in a different place.

Portability

Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system", which is made up of the car seat base and stroller frame. These snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal 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 is the primary reason why more than 80% Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to remove their child from the car and put it on a stroller frame so that they can stroll through a park or a grocery store. This is a fantastic feature to look for when you plan on using a taxi or ride-sharing service. The majority of these services require a child to be secured in a seat.

As opposed to convertible car seats that must be kept in the car the infant car seats are often smaller and lighter making them an ideal option for families that are constantly on the move. Some infant car seats have a handle so that parents can carry the seat by themselves. This is especially helpful when you're planning a trip that you don't want to awake your baby for.

While infant car seats only last until your baby is a toddler and they outgrow the weight and height limitations, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing seat for newborns, then changed to a forward facing infant car seat-facing car seat for older children. These seats all-in-one are a great option if you're looking to keep your child in a secure seat as long as possible. There is a convertible car seat that transforms into a high-back booster seat when your child is too big for the harness (or is over the weight and height limits). Be sure to search for this when you browse options!

User-Friendliness

A rear-facing infant car seat is a car seat that snaps onto the base of your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers secure until they reach the weight and height requirements of the booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which can allow you to easily transfer the baby from the car to the stroller to continue your journey without disturbing their nap time.

Look for a baby seat with an attachable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller or car. This will make it easier to get your baby in and out of the car especially when their nap is about to end or they are hungry, thirsty, or bored. It's also important to check the shoulder strap slots and ensure they are properly positioned for your child's size. If the straps are too low or high, they aren't utilized correctly and could cause injury in a crash.

Certain infant car seats come with lower anchors that can be used without the base, which is ideal for taxi rides and for travel on airplanes. Be sure that the lower anchors are simple 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 important to choose the seat with an easy-to use harness and carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's click connect or UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.

Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child meets the weight or height requirements for the booster. They can be used in combination with a stroller however they do not 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. This makes them difficult to maneuver when traveling in small vehicles or in congested areas.

Installation

Car seats, especially infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is essential to do it correctly and safely. The factors that affect this include the seating position and the angle of the base and the way to use the handle.

The majority of infant car seats are designed to be connected to a base that is in the vehicle, which is often called a travel system. These seats are designed to be used in the rear position, which is more secure for infants than forward-facing seats. Most car seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to make sure the seat is placed at the correct semi-reclined angle for your baby car seat. The base might have an angle adjustment.

Also, make sure that the seat permits you to adjust the shoulders' height without needing to remove and rethread them. This can be a real time saver, as it will likely have to be done several times during the use of a car seat for infants.

Certain cars have a hard spot in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. These are usually tucked deep into the crease that runs between the cushion back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks should snap into place with ease since they are designed specifically for the seat. When they are in place to the seat, you might hear a distinct noise.

It is also a great idea to test the car seat with the child first to ensure it's suitable for your family. If your child is uncomfortable or the car seat doesn't click into the base, it's best to search for a different alternative.

Certain car seats can be put in without the base, which is useful if you take public transportation or rely on taxi service like Uber. It is possible to remove and install the carrier without the base by pressing a lever. Review the instructions given by the manufacturer. Many will give you the clear "click" when it's secure enough.