best car seat Car Seats For Infants and Babies

While convertible car seats work well for children who are growing however, an infant car seat is best car seats for newborns. They're also lighter and easier to clip into a stroller than their larger counterparts.

CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit's recline foot with springs and bubble indicator on the base, and its ease of use (the more user-friendly a car seat can be and is, the more likely parents will be to put it in the correct position). The model can also be used with three across in a variety of mid-sized automobiles.

1. Clek Liing infant car seat (made a post)

Clek, a Canadian manufacturer, is known for its top-rated convertible car seat. The infant Liing is among their top infant seats. The seat comes with top-of-the-line safety features like a metal load-leg, and easy installation. It also features 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to suit the slope of your vehicle's seat. A simple bubble indicator makes it easy to make sure the seat is at the right angle before your baby rides in it.

The base of the Liing is easy to put in with the help of LATCH connectors that slide into your vehicle's lower anchors, making the seat more anchor. This makes the Liing a great option for families who plan to switch vehicles frequently or who want a quick, reliable method to install their child's car seat. You can also use the belt-tensioning system included to buckle your child.

One of the things that distinguishes the Liing apart from other infant car seats is its 2 piece Newborn Support System. This system includes an lower insert that slides over the crotch strap and a headrest that is attached to harness to prevent newborns from slumbering forward or moving their heads backwards in the seat. It's a game-changer for tiny preemies and babies, and it's one of the few rear facing infant car seats that provide this type of support.

Another advantage of the Liing is its crash-testing frame, which reduces the force of a crash by up to 40 percent when compared to other infant seats. The shell of the seat is reinforced with EPP foam, which shields your child's head and body from an accident. The base of the seat has a metal load leg which absorbs energy and assists in reducing the risk of collisions.

2. Chicco KeyFit

This is a top-rated infant car seat. It's easy to install, easy to use, and grows with your child. It can also be used together with strollers to create a travel system.

The KeyFit is an excellent option for parents looking for a safe, versatile and user-friendly seat. It scored a high score in crash tests, is lightweight and comfortable to carry and offers a wide range of height and weight limits. It was also designed with the comfort of babies in mind. The click-in point is protected by soft materials that protect your baby from getting burned by metal. The insert for newborns comes with a head-cover which protects their heads. And the seat pad, which your baby is sitting on, encases them in foam cushions.

Installation is simple. This is crucial because improperly installed infant seats can increase the chance of injury to your child. The KeyFit's LATCH connectors and a SuperCinch tightener ensure a secure fit that requires minimal effort. The base also has a ReclineSure leveling foot as well as two RideRight bubble level indicators that help ensure the correct angle of the vehicle and quick installation. For alternate installation clear belt routing, lock-offs and the car seatbelt make it easy to position and tighten.

However, it isn't as good in the ease of use category because of the rethread type harness height adjustment, which is a standard feature on many Chicco seats (and also on their OG Keyfit model). This means that you must detach and manually re-thread the straps from one slot level to another, which takes longer than adjustments that aren't rethread. This is a minor disadvantage for the convenience of this seat.

3. Joie i-Snug 2

The light Joie i-Snug 2 is an i-Size infant car seat that is built to the most stringent safety standards. It features a no-rethread belt and is compatible with Joie Strollers that accept Maxi Cosi style adapters. It's simple to use with clear installation guides as well as built-in bubble levels to assist with alignment. The car seat has plenty of padding and is comfortable. It has a convenient canopy that protects your child from the sunlight.

The iSnug 2 comes with an ISOFIX base for secure vehicle attachment and can be used in tandem with a stroller that is compatible for an entire travel system. It's a rear-facing infant car seat that offers the best neck and head protection for infants and newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest comes with a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam to shield your child from side-impact crashes.

Like any infant car seat you'll have to replace it when your child outgrows the height and weight limits or when they reach their first birthday. In the meantime you can upgrade to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, which allows children to be rear-facing for longer and is safer for them.

A convertible car seat is bigger and more spacious than an infant seat, and has a higher weight and height limit when facing rearward. To stop your child from getting out of the seat in a hurry, it's best to switch to a car seat that converts as soon as you can. In some instances parents can even move their child to an all-in-one car seat, without ever having to purchase another new infant car seat. It's crucial to pick the right convertible car seat for you and your family. Take a look at our comprehensive guide for all the info you require to make the best choice.

4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX

The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is one of the top-rated infant car seats because of its safety, light design and the flexibility. It installs with rigid lower anchors on outboard seats of most cars and is also equipped with a vehicle seat belt using Euro routing (which makes use of all of the length of the car's seat belt for the most secure installation). It also comes with an organic baby insert from GOTS which is a great choice for parents who are environmentally conscious and prefer organic products for their child.

At just 6 pounds without the canopy and inserts, the Pipa Aire RX is among the lightest infant car seats on the market. Aeroflex foam is extremely light and resilient but also extremely lightweight helps reduce the force that is transferred to your child in an accident. Other security features include the five-second steel-reinforced True Lock base installation, side-impact protection, and a multi-position steel stability leg that has an area of crumple to limit forward rotation to provide greater rearward-facing security.

The ergonomic aluminum handle is light and luxurious with leatherette accents to provide a comfortable grip and an ideal option to carry the bag. A magnet buckle holder keeps straps clear when buckling your child in and color-coded installation indicators confirm that the belts are properly connected. The low-profile base makes it easy, super-fast loading and the belt's path is open and lock-off secures lap and shoulder belts.

The process of parenting can be messy Cleaning up doesn't be a chore. The inserts and fabrics in the Pipa Aire RX are machine washable, so you can keep your car seat looking good as new after every use.

5. Nuna Pipa Urbn

Nuna's PIPA air Rx and PIPA Rx car seats are fantastic choices. However, the new Pipa Urbn is a step above. This ultralight infant car seat is super easy to carry, and weighs less than 7 pounds when the canopy and insert. It also comes with an elegant, user-friendly design that includes practical features like buckle holders with magnetic buckles to help keep straps clear while you're buckling baby in and a green/red indicator to tell you that the installation is secure (we wish all car seats had this feature! ).

In contrast to the Pipa RX and the other base-compatible PIPA models that require a car base to install, this one can be used without a base due to its pipaFIX-inspired latch system. This makes it the ideal option for parents who frequently use taxis, rideshare services or travel.

Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. These green-friendly materials include a Merino Wool and Tencel blended lyocell fibres headrest and a waterproof machine washable cover.

The Pipa Urbn comes with a weight limit of only 30 to 35 pounds when rear-facing. This means that you will need to upgrade to a convertible model sooner than other brands. However, it is still a top pick for most infants. This car seat is also compatible with Nuna's travel systems and can be connected to all strollers by using the Ring adapter.