Why a Portable Infant Car Seat is a Must-Have
Parenting is a process that comes with many decisions. For parents who take rides and taxis often, a portable infant car seat is a must.
The baby seats can be removed from their base and snap into compatible strollers to allow you to transport your baby asleep without disturbing them up or disturbing their car journey.
Safety Features
Newborns are at risk of neck and head injuries during an accident. This is why infant-only car seats have been designed to be as safe as they can be. A car seat for infants might include energy-absorbing foam and Side Impact Protection pods or both to shield your child from injury in a crash. Other features include a five-point, no-rethread harness and a recline for an easier ride for your baby and strap holders to keep the straps from becoming tangled. Some models include an aluminum stability foot to prevent car seats from turning in an accident.
Many parents are happy to learn that infant car seats can be easily transformed into strollers. This is especially helpful when you intend to use the car seat in taxis or public transportation. Additionally, most infant car seats are FAA-approved for travel, which means you can use them in airplane cabins, too.
A car seat for infants that can be portable also lets you take your child on more family-friendly adventures such as camping and hiking excursions. These seats are usually smaller and less bulky than convertible car seats, making them more maneuverable in small vehicles or on uneven terrain. Many infant car seats that are portable come with handles built-in, making them easier to carry.
If you're unsure of how to properly install your car seat for infants, consult with an accredited child passenger safety technician (CPST). Find one in your area by visiting the National Child Passenger Safety Website. A few local police and fire departments have CPSTs that can help you for no cost. You can join a group like Tot Squad for virtual or in-person assistance from a trained expert.
When making this choice it is important to take into consideration your lifestyle and the size of your vehicle. A convertible car seat, for instance it may not fit in the trunk of your car, and you'll need to install the base separately. It is heavier and more bulky than a car seat for infants and cannot be used to boost a child.
Comfort
When it comes to infant car seats, comfort may not be the first thing that parents think of, but a pleasant car ride can make a significant difference for both infants and their parents. The best infant car seats suitable for portable use come with soft shoulder pads, headrests and other padding. Some also have adjustable reclining options so you can find the perfect fit. Push Chairs & Prams come with built-in shades as well as pockets for snacks, toys and other supplies.
Safety is always the first priority when selecting a car seat for your baby There are numerous important features to look out for. For instance, some car seats come with a no-twist harness indicator that makes buckling up your child easier, whereas others come with an inbuilt bubble level to ensure rapid and precise installation. Many portable infant car seat are designed to be used in conjunction with a stroller, creating a travel system. This lets you effortlessly transfer your child from the vehicle to the destination.
Other aspects to consider when shopping for an infant car seat that is portable include the weight and size of the seat, how easy it is to install and if it has additional safety features. Some seats come with a Euro-belt path, which allows you to install the seat without a base in certain European vehicles. Others are certified GREENGUARD GOLD for low chemical emissions and low VOC. Additionally, a lighter seat will be less straining on your back and arms when you carry it around.
Some infant car seats can be transformed into toddler boosters when your child is old enough. This can save you time and money over the long haul. This is particularly useful for parents who regularly take taxis or rideshare services, as it allows them to keep their child's car seat in place while changing cars. Examples of this type of infant car seat that is portable include the Doona that has wheels that are integrated to transform it into a stroller and is FAA-approved for use on airplanes. Other convertible infant car seats include the Graco SnugRide 35 DLX and the Evenflo Litemax DLX.
Convenience
Portable infant car seats, designed specifically for infants and newborns, are typically smaller and lighter than convertible seats. Their compact design makes them easy to transport from one vehicle to another, particularly if you're using the seat with a stroller that is compatible as part of a travel system. Often they also feature a canopy that provides extra protection from the sun.
Infants and newborns require an appropriate, secure car seat, which is why infant car seats that are portable are a great choice for families. They usually include extra padding on the head, which can protect the head of a premature baby in the event of an accident. These seats also have a five-point safety harness and side impact protection that has been specifically designed to ensure your baby's safety and comfort.
A lot of infant car seats that are portable come with a base that attaches to your vehicle. The car seat can be clipped into the base or a stroller that can be used with the carrier making it easy to move your baby between the car and stroller without disturbing them. Car seats typically come with a lock-off mechanism that stops your child from removing or buckling their straps.
It's important to note that, even when moving the infant car seat between vehicles, you should never loosen or undo the straps of your baby's harness since this could cause strangulation in a crash. Instead, make sure they're secure at all times and place blankets or coats on the the straps in cold weather.
Before you purchase an infant car seat, take into consideration how long your child will be likely to be in it. Because they're designed specifically for infants and newborns, they are likely to have a shorter lifespan than convertible car seats, which means you may need to purchase another car seat earlier than you expected. Car seats for infants are generally used until the child is no longer using it, which usually happens within the first year of their life.
Cost
When deciding which portable car seats for infants to buy there are a few costs to be considered. You may need to purchase a separate base to place your car seat in your vehicle. Certain models require that you use LATCH to install them. This can increase the cost of your purchase but you will save money over time by not having to buy an additional base for each vehicle.
Consider purchasing a convertible car seat that is 3-in-1 or 4-in-1. These seats can adapt to your child, from rear-facing infants to toddlers facing forward and then into boosters for older children. These seats are an excellent choice for parents who travel frequently or have their child move from one vehicle to another. You will need to purchase a base for each car that you intend to use the seat in. They are also heavier than baby car safety seats.
Another issue that could arise is that many infant car seats don't work with strollers, and you'll need to wake up your sleeping baby to move them. This could be a problem when you have a long commute or spend the majority of your time running errands with your little one in tow. If you're a parent who uses rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, this type of car seat may be the best option for you, as these types of seats let you easily snap the seat into an appropriate stroller and continue your journey without causing any disturbance to your child.
Some parents also prefer to buy a travel system that includes an infant car seat and a stroller. If you're expecting a premature infant or a smaller-than-average child, this is a great idea. These models are made to fit newborns.
Most children will outgrow their infant car seats at around one year, based on their weight and height. You'll have to upgrade your child's car seat, even in the event that they're not at their maximum weight or height.