The Best Infant Car Seats
By Abu Bakar Siddique(salaman)
Before you make that nervous first drive home with your new baby, you need the right gear.You can use an infant car seat from a child’s birth still it measures around 30 inches or weighs 30 pounds. It varies by family, but the seat will likely be in the mix until the child is between 9 months and 2 years of age.
All infant seats in the US must meet the same safety standards. But, there are over 60 models to choose from. So, buying one can be daunting. We’ve spent six and a half years consulting safety experts and scouring reviews. We also talked to fellow caregivers and tested our top contenders in the real world. We’ve picked four infant car seats. They best provide you and your precious baby with a safe and comfy ride. Our top pick is the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX. Our runner-up is the Chicco KeyFit 30. Our also great pick is the Chicco KeyFit 35. And our upgrade pick is the Clek Liing.
Who Should Get This?
Amid all the lengthy lists of baby “must-haves,” the one item that’s not up for debate is a car seat. If you’re going to ride in a car with your baby, You should Buy One. Most hospitals follow guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They do not discharge a newborn until a staff member has visually confirmed a car seat. The seat is to transport the baby safely home.
Several qualities set dedicated Best infant car seats apart. They are smaller than larger convertibles and all-in-one car seats. Many of these designs fit a wide range of weights and heights (from newborns to up). Convertible and all-in-one seats start in a rear-facing position for young passengers. This is the first position for these seats. Then, they get turned around (we have tips on when to switch). But, an infant seat is designed to be used rear-facing only. And with good reason. This position is safest and best for small children.
Best Infant car seats
Best Infant car seats are not like convertible car seats. They are bucket-shaped and come with a detachable base and a handle. This lets parents click the seat in and out of the vehicle and carry the baby in the seat. They can also attach it to a compatible stroller. This is a handy design. It saves you from taking your baby out of their car seat every time you need to make a transition. For example, from the car to the pediatrician’s office. Just remember: infants sleep a lot and often doze off during outings. However, it is not safe to use car seats as primary beds or to let your baby sleep in one for a long time.
Babies outgrow most infant car seats in the time they reach 30 to 32 inches in length or weigh 30 to 35 pounds. Whichever comes first. The average baby reaches that height range sometime between 12 to 19 months. But they’ll probably be over 3 years old before they hit 35 pounds. So, for most people, the height limit matters more than the weight limit.
Car seats
Car seats that face backward are safest. They provide the most protection for small children.
Many caregivers we interviewed said they had moved their child to a rear-facing car seat. They did this long before the child outgrew their infant seat. They did this when the baby became too heavy to carry in the bucket seat. Most people don’t use an infant car seat for more than a year or a year before switching to a convertible. But the click-in, click-out option is for those early days. The child is still light enough to be easy to carry. It is certainly convenient.
For trips with plane travel,
use your usual infant car seat. Then, use a different car seat at the destination. But, they should use it without the base. They should install it with the seat belt only. It’s for caregivers who plan to travel a lot. Or those who rely heavily on taxis and want a single seat-and-stroller. We recommend the Doona. It’s a pick in our guide to travel car seats.
Amid all the lengthy lists of baby “must-haves,” the one item that’s not up for debate is a car seat. If you’re going to ride in a car with your baby, You should Buy One. Most hospitals follow guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They do not discharge a newborn until a staff member has visually confirmed a car seat. The seat is to transport the baby safely home.
Several qualities
set dedicated Best infant car seats apart. They are smaller than larger convertibles and all-in-one car seats. Many of these designs fit a wide range of weights and heights (from newborns to up). Convertible and all-in-one seats start in a rear-facing position for young passengers. This is the first position for these seats. Then, they get turned around (we have tips on when to switch). But, an infant seat is designed to be used rear-facing only. And with good reason. This position is safest and best for small children.
Best Infant car seats
are not like convertible car seats. They are bucket-shaped and come with a detachable base and a handle. This lets parents click the seat in and out of the vehicle and carry the baby in the seat. They can also attach it to a compatible stroller. This is a handy design. It saves you from taking your baby out of their car seat every time you need to make a transition. For example, from the car to the pediatrician’s office. Just remember: infants sleep a lot and often doze off during outings. However, it is not safe to use car seats as primary beds or to let your baby sleep in one for a long time.
Babies outgrow most infant car seats in the time they reach 30 to 32 inches in length or weigh 30 to 35 pounds. Whichever comes first. The average baby reaches that height range sometime between 12 to 19 months. But they’ll probably be over 3 years old before they hit 35 pounds. So, for most people, the height limit matters more than the weight limit.
Car seats
that face backward are safest. They provide the most protection for small children.
Many caregivers we interviewed said they had moved their child to a rear-facing car seat. They did this long before the child outgrew their infant seat. They did this when the baby became too heavy to carry in the bucket seat. Most people don’t use an infant car seat for more than a year or a year before switching to a convertible. But the click-in, click-out option is for those early days. The child is still light enough to be easy to carry. It is certainly convenient.
For trips with plane travel, use your usual infant car seat. Then, use a different car seat at the destination. But, they should use it without the base. They should install it with the seat belt only. It’s for caregivers who plan to travel a lot. Or those who rely heavily on taxis and want a single seat-and-stroller. We recommend the Doona. It’s a pick in our guide to travel car seats.
How we picked
There are more than 60 infant car seat models for sale in the United States. We studied online customer reviews. We also looked at coverage from other media outlets. We did this to cull the herd. These outlets included BabyCenter, BabyGearLab, The Car Seat Lady, Fatherly, and Mommyhood101. We interviewed nearly 20 experts on car seat safety, policy, and installation. And we considered the available research data and safety ratings.
All manufacturers selling seats in the US must subject their car seats to crash testing. They must also meet NHTSA safety standards (PDF). The NHTSA runs safety compliance tests on many seats each year. This confirms that they comply with the promised regulations. And the NHTSA collects those results in its database. We studied the results and factored them into our decision-making when possible.
But
we were cautious not to be directed by crash-testing data alone. Some seats have better crash test scores than others. But, even experts struggle to know if those small differences matter in real crashes. Proper installation has a big impact on how a car seat performs. So, we also consulted NHTSA ease-of-use ratings. They rank seats from one to five stars. But, remember, the star ratings are based on many categories. This includes an evaluation of the instructions. It rates how clear and thorough the manual is. It also covers the seat’s installation features. This rates how the seat’s features perform in an install. It also covers the labels. It rates how clear and thorough the labeling is on the seat. Lastly, it covers securing the child. It rates how the seat’s restraint features work.
All four categories are pertinent. However, the NHTSA may lower a seat’s rating. For example, the seat’s label lacks a complete picture of a child wearing the restraint. We think that’s less important than whether anyone can install the seat’s base snugly. The NHTSA ease-of-use ratings are helpful. But, they don’t always match our field-testing experiences and takeaways.
We
also considered that since the first version of this guide in 2018, many more infant seats have gained safety features. These include load legs and anti-rebound bases. See Understanding Optional Safety Features for details. These features are designed to reduce the seat’s motion or absorb some of the impact in a crash, and we can appreciate their potential benefits. But we had to weigh their overall importance carefully since they can add to a seat’s cost and are still less vital to a baby’s safety than a proper install.
Another issue
we faced was sorting out the confusing differences among the infant seat models. Many of their names sound like they’re for space travel. Many major car seat manufacturers sell multiple versions of similar infant car seats. But, they have slight differences in features. These features typically affect the name and price. For example, a manufacturer may make two nearly identical seats, except they have different infant height and weight limits. A manufacturer may offer a “base model” of a seat. They may also offer different versions of it, each with their names and price. Each version may have upgrades. For example, a handle you can adjust with one hand. The standard handle needs two hands. Also, there are more recline positions and a no-rethread harness.
After long
discussions with experts, we concluded that most of those optional upgrade features are not necessary. In some cases, they’re nice to have, but they are often not worth the added expense. When it came time to decide which infant seat models we would test, and if we would upgrade, we evaluated their features one by one. We did this to see if they were worth the extra cost. We also considered availability. Sometimes, the model with some upgrades was easier to find at national brick-and-mortar retail chains. The base model was only available online. So, we chose the model with wider availability. But this is not perfect. So, we encourage car seat shoppers to use their judgment. They should determine which seat model has the features that work for them.
We did 20 hours of background research. It led us to conclude that the ideal infant car seat should have these attributes:
They must
be easy to install. Proper installation is key to a car seat’s safety. NHTSA data (PDF) shows that many car seats are installed wrong. We look for seats that a careful adult can install correctly. They should do so within a few minutes, without expert help. Caregivers are often hurried. They’ve had to install a car seat in a relative’s car or a rental. They know that an easy system is better than good instructions. Even so, we consider excellent instructions to be a bonus.) We also want seats that are easy to install in many ways. You can use the base with LATCH. This means clipping it to the car’s built-in anchors and forgoing the lap belt. Or, you can use the base with the car’s seat belt. Or, you can just use the seat itself without the base. (All of those methods are considered equally safe, as long as the fit is secure. But you should never use multiple install methods simultaneously unless instructed otherwise.) In all installation methods, the goal is the same. If you grab the seat or the base near the attachment point and pull back and forth, it should move less than an inch.
Be as safe as possible
We consider NHTSA crash tests and ease-of-use data when we can. See above for details. Added safety features, such as a load leg or an anti-rebound base, are not essential. But, we see them as a plus, especially if they come on a standard seat model at no added cost. In some cases, a car seat maker sells the same seat with and without an added safety feature. We’ve noted if that’s an option, where it applies.
Be easy to carry
An infant seat should be manageable to carry. If it already feels too heavy before you’ve even loaded in the passenger, it’s failing one of its key purposes. The seat’s handle should be easy to grasp and adjust between positions.
Be user-friendly
Life with a newborn can be intense—an infant car seat should not be a source of frustration. The harness straps on the seat should buckle and adjust without any resistance or hassle. The bucket should click in and out of the base smoothly. The seat should work with many popular strollers. They can have an adapter or not. The seat’s fabric cover should be easy to keep clean. Finally, we appreciate thoughtful touches that save time or effort. They aren’t necessary. They include things like a no-rethread harness or a well-designed LATCH system.
The limit is reasonably high for height and weight. You don’t want your child to outgrow their infant seat before you’re ready to switch to a convertible seat. We look for seats that can accommodate babies of average to above-average size for over a year or more.
Be accessible. We focus on easy-to-find seats. They should come in a choice of colors or designs. And, they should be sold at many major stores. We consider models in a wide price range. We recommend one high-end seat, the Clek Liing, as our upgrade pick. But, we give extra credit to seats that provide great value.
What about stroller compatibility and stroller “systems”?
When we wrote the first version of this infant seat guide, stroller fit was a key concern. It means the ability to click a Best infant car seat into a stroller base, with or without an added adapter. That’s not because we don’t think it’s important. Many caregivers like the convenience it offers. We’ve included a list of the major stroller brands. Their models work with each of our car seat picks. However, stroller compatibility is now common. With some exceptions, you can match most infant seats with many strollers. So, we do not consider this a key feature. It does not set an infant seat apart. It does not deserve the same weight as the other criteria listed above.
We also caution car seat shoppers. They should not be talked into buying infant seat and stroller “systems.” These are sold on compatibility. But, the payoff will be short. Most families use an infant seat and a stroller together for a brief time, usually about a year. But, a stroller will be around a lot longer. We believe it makes sense to choose the best infant seat and the best stroller separately. Each on its own merits. Rather than settling for a subpar version of either.
Understanding optional safety features
Some infant seats have an anti-rebound base or a load leg. Three of our picks in this guide have them. These are added safety features. They can improve the seat’s performance and stability in a crash. The Chicco KeyFit 35, our also-great pick, has one too. They both have an anti-rebound base. But, they have only recently become more common in the United States.
An anti-rebound base, also called an anti-rebound bar, is a metal bar in the foot end of the seat base. It rests flush against the vehicle seat. It’s designed to decrease the car seat’s movement. Then it “rebounds” back. This could send its passenger face-first into the back of the vehicle seat. The anti-rebound base can minimize that rebound effect.
A load leg is a metal pole. It connects from the base of the infant seat to the car floor. It makes the seat more stable and absorbs some crash impact. Load legs can be installed in most—but not all—cars. So before you buy a seat with a load leg, you should confirm that your car’s make and model can accommodate one. And you should find out if there’s a particular position in the back where you must install it.
Both anti-rebound bases and load legs can improve infant car seat performance. Of the two features, a load leg may be better. The load leg reduces movement. It also absorbs some of the crash’s first impact without passing it to the child.
Consumer Reports
did independent crash tests of best infant car seats. They found that use of a load leg cut the risk of a head injury by about 46%. CR also noted, however, that a load leg isn’t needed to get the best crash-test results. Some of the seats CR tested didn’t have a load leg and still got those results.) Here’s another example. Clek tested its Liing infant seat in crashes with and without the load leg. You can see the tests in this video. Clek found that using the load leg could reduce the risk of injury by up to 40%.
More and more people support using load legs and anti-rebound bases. Buyer demand for them is growing, too. But, there’s still a long way to go before these parts are required as standard safety features. For one thing, NHTSA crash tests do not allow load legs. So, their safety advantage is not in current government data. Miriam Manary is the top research engineer. She works at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. She pointed out this strange disconnect: “The US does not regulate or encourage the use of load legs. But, they do have a safety benefit, for sure.”
What about crash testing?
We published the first version of this guide in 2018. We chose to do separate crash testing on the infant car seats that we considered as our top contenders. We hired MGA Research, a lab in Burlington, Wisconsin, to run the tests. We used their results to make our final recommendations.
We started the newest update to this guide in late 2021. We were open to doing crash testing ourselves again. We were eager to take a thorough approach. It would inform and improve our decisions. To help us understand the latest crash tests, we asked three industry experts. They are Alisa Baer, a pediatrician and CPST. She is also the co-founder of The Car Seat Lady. Matt Maltese is an engineer and crash-test expert. He has worked for both NHTSA and CHOP. Jessica Jermakian is the VP of vehicle research. She works at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It is a nonprofit dedicated to car safety.
To our surprise, we learned much about independent crash testing. The more we learned, the less certain we became it made sense for us. This does not reduce our faith in government-required crash testing. It is essential for safety and accountability.) Our conclusion: We could do crash tests that would give lots of data. But, that data would likely not be useful. It would not serve its purpose. The purpose is to give us info to help us choose the best seat from a small group of high-quality options.
We had planned
to crash test four to six infant seats. They had performed the best in our field testing and met the criteria in How we picked. But today’s crash-testing tools are advanced. But, we learned that they can’t help reviewers tell apart well-made seats. They also can’t tease out an A+ from an A-. In a nutshell, crash testing can be extremely useful for determining good versus bad. But it is less helpful for determining really good from really, really good. Jermakian said, “I’m not sure that crash testing would give you meaningful results. You’ve already picked the four best seats from all the other perspectives. So, you can trust that engineers spent a lot of time designing those seats for a good and safe user experience.”
We thought a lot and consulted experts. We decided that only field testing should dictate our picks in this guide. Crash testing will not. Our research confirmed that caregivers can take comfort in knowing this. Most car seats do their job well. “Five-point harness child seats greatly cut the risk of injury and death,” Maltese said. The best way to keep your kids safe on the road is to choose a car seat that works well for your family. And, to use it correctly. Maltese said, “Choose the car seat that fits your kid, fits your car, and you use properly on every trip.”
Our pick: Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX
The Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is a top-of-the-line infant car seat designed to provide maximum safety and comfort for your little one. With its innovative features and thoughtful design, this car seat is a must-have for any parent looking for the best in infant car seat technology.
One of the standout features of the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is its SnugLock technology. This innovative system makes it easy to install the car seat securely in your vehicle in just three simple steps. The SnugLock system features a unique belt-tensioning system that ensures a tight and secure fit every time, giving you peace of mind knowing that your child is safe and secure.
Another great feature
of the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is its Click Connect technology. This system allows you to easily attach the car seat to any Graco Click Connect stroller, creating a convenient travel system that makes it easy to move your child from the car to the stroller without disturbing them. This feature is especially useful for parents who are always on the go and need a car seat that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
In addition to its innovative technology, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is also designed with your child’s comfort in mind. The car seat features a plush head and body support that can be adjusted as your child grows, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit at every stage. The seat also features a removable newborn head and body support, making it suitable for even the smallest infants.
Safety
is always a top priority when it comes to infant car seats, and the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is no exception. This car seat is designed to meet or exceed all US safety standards, including side-impact testing, to ensure that your child is protected in the event of a crash. The car seat also features a five-point harness system that keeps your child securely in place, as well as an adjustable base with four recline positions that allows you to find the perfect fit for your vehicle.
The Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is also designed with convenience in mind. The car seat features a one-handed adjustable handle that makes it easy to carry and transport, as well as a machine-washable seat pad that makes cleaning up messes a breeze. The car seat also features a built-in storage compartment that allows you to keep essentials like diapers and wipes close at hand.
Overall
the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is a top-of-the-line infant car seat that offers the perfect combination of safety, comfort, and convenience. With its innovative features and thoughtful design, this car seat is sure to provide you and your child with peace of mind and comfort on every journey.
Runner-up: Chicco KeyFit 30
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a popular infant car seat that offers safety, comfort, and convenience for both parents and babies. It is designed to accommodate infants from 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches in height, making it suitable for newborns and small babies. The KeyFit 30 is known for its easy installation, superior safety features, and comfortable design.
One of the standout features of the Chicco KeyFit 30 is its easy installation process. The car seat is equipped with a one-pull LATCH tightener that ensures a secure fit in the vehicle. The LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is a set of standardized attachments that make it easier to install car seats securely. The KeyFit 30 also has a built-in leveling system that helps parents ensure that the car seat is installed at the correct angle for their baby’s safety.
In addition
to its easy installation, the Chicco KeyFit 30 is also known for its superior safety features. The car seat is equipped with a five-point harness system that keeps babies securely strapped in. The harness has adjustable shoulder straps and a one-pull tightening system that makes it easy to get a snug fit. The KeyFit 30 also has energy-absorbing foam that helps protect babies in the event of a crash. The car seat has been tested to meet or exceed federal safety standards, giving parents peace of mind.
Another key feature of the Chicco KeyFit 30 is its comfortable design. The car seat has a removable newborn insert that provides extra support for small babies. The insert can be removed as the baby grows, allowing the car seat to accommodate larger infants. The KeyFit 30 also has a canopy that provides shade and protection from the sun. The canopy can be adjusted to different positions to provide the right amount of coverage for the baby.
The Chicco KeyFit 30
is also designed with convenience in mind. The car seat has a one-hand adjustable carry handle that makes it easy to transport. The handle has three positions, allowing parents to carry the car seat in a way that is comfortable for them. The KeyFit 30 also has a removable seat pad that is machine washable, making it easy to keep the car seat clean.
Overall, the Chicco KeyFit 30 is a popular choice for parents looking for a safe, comfortable, and convenient infant car seat. Its easy installation, superior safety features, and comfortable design make it a top choice for many families.
Also great: Chicco KeyFit 35
The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a popular infant car seat that offers a combination of safety, comfort, and convenience for parents and their little ones. It is designed to accommodate infants from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches in height, making it suitable for newborns and young babies. The KeyFit 35 is equipped with a range of features that make it easy to use and provide peace of mind for parents.
One of the standout features of the Chicco KeyFit 35 is its safety features. It is designed to meet or exceed all federal safety standards, including those set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The seat features a five-point harness system that helps to secure your baby in place and minimize the risk of injury in the event of a crash. The seat also has energy-absorbing foam that helps to absorb impact forces and protect your baby’s head and neck.
In addition
to its safety features, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is also designed with comfort in mind. The seat has a removable newborn insert that provides extra support for your baby’s head and neck, and it also has a canopy that provides shade and protection from the sun. The seat is also lined with soft, breathable fabric that helps to keep your baby comfortable during car rides.
Another key feature of the Chicco KeyFit 35 is its convenience. The seat is compatible with Chicco strollers, making it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without having to wake them up. The seat also has a one-hand adjustable headrest and harness that make it easy to customize the fit as your baby grows. Additionally, the seat has a built-in level indicator that helps to ensure that it is installed correctly in your car.
Overall, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is a popular choice among parents for its safety, comfort, and convenience features. It is designed to provide a secure and comfortable ride for your baby, and it is easy to use and install. Whether you are a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great option for keeping your little one safe and comfortable on the go.
Upgrade pick: Clek Liing
Clek Liing is a premium infant car seat designed to provide maximum safety and comfort for newborns and infants. It is a rear-facing car seat that can be used from birth up to 35 pounds or 32 inches in height, whichever comes first. Clek Liing is designed to be easy to install and use, with features such as a rigid LATCH system, a recline feature, and an adjustable headrest.
One of the key features of Clek Liing is its use of a rigid LATCH system, which is designed to provide a secure and stable installation in the vehicle. The rigid LATCH system consists of two metal bars that attach to the vehicle’s lower anchors, providing a solid connection between the car seat and the vehicle. This system helps to reduce the risk of the car seat moving or rotating in the event of a crash, providing added protection for the child.
Another important feature of Clek Liing is its recline feature, which allows the car seat to be adjusted to different angles to provide a comfortable and safe position for the child. The recline feature can be adjusted with one hand, making it easy to use and adjust as needed.
Clek Liing also features an adjustable headrest, which can be adjusted to provide a comfortable and secure fit for the child as they grow. The headrest can be adjusted to six different positions, allowing it to accommodate children of different heights and sizes.
In addition
to its safety features, Clek Liing is also designed with comfort in mind. The car seat features a plush, padded seat and a soft, breathable fabric cover, providing a comfortable and cozy environment for the child. The car seat also features a removable and washable cover, making it easy to keep clean and maintain.
Clek Liing is also designed to be easy to install and use. The car seat features a color-coded belt path and a built-in lock-off system, making it easy to install the car seat securely in the vehicle. The car seat also features a one-handed harness adjustment system, making it easy to adjust the harness to fit the child securely.
Overall, Clek Liing is a premium infant car seat that is designed to provide maximum safety and comfort for newborns and infants. With its rigid LATCH system, recline feature, adjustable headrest, and easy installation and use, Clek Liing is a great choice for parents looking for a safe and comfortable car seat for their child.
What’s the law on infant car seat use?
In the United States, the law on infant car seat use varies by state, but there are some general guidelines that apply nationwide.
First, all states require that infants and toddlers be secured in a car seat when riding in a vehicle. The specific requirements for car seat use depend on the child’s age, weight, and height, as well as the type of car seat being used.
In general, infants should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Finally, when a child outgrows the forward-facing car seat, they should use a booster seat until they are big enough to use the vehicle’s seat belt properly.
It’s important to note that car seat laws can change, so it’s a good idea to check the specific requirements for your state before traveling with a child. Additionally, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and using a car seat correctly to ensure the child’s safety.
Care, use, and maintenance
No matter which car seat you choose. Below, we list several ways to ensure that you’re using and caring for it well:
Check the installation. Almost 49% of infant car seats are installed or used incorrectly (PDF). This is according to NHTSA data. The owner’s manual and online videos for your seat can help. But, it’s good to ask a pro for help. Many children’s hospitals, fire stations, and police stations have certified staff available. They can double-check car seat installations for free. In some cases, they can do the entire install for free. For a fee, you can hire a CPST to come to your home and do an installation or training with one or more car seats.
Position the seat for maximum safety:
You should always put an infant car seat in your vehicle’s back seat. It’s best to put it in the middle, if you can. Safety experts agree. The middle spot is safest for a child to travel. This is better than the passenger or driver side “sideboard” seat. “Any car seat in the middle of the rear seat is least likely to suffer from side impacts,” said Dr. Benjamin Hoffman. He is a pediatrician and CPST instructor who serves as an unpaid consultant to Chicco.
Keep the straps adjusted correctly:
You should fasten the harness straps snugly on a child. This stops excess webbing from being able to be pinched. And keep in mind that a baby is constantly growing, so the harness height settings that worked on your last trip may not work for the next one.
Follow the cleaning instructions for your seat (and don’t go rogue):
The right way to clean a car seat depends on its make and model. The rules for washing machines, dryers, and detergents vary widely from seat to seat. As we explain in our detailed post on how to clean a car seat, you must follow the instructions carefully. Not doing so can endanger the safety of the seat or its textiles.
Dispose of your seat properly:
Any seat in a big accident needs to be retired right away. Seats also have an expiration date. It typically starts six or seven years from the manufacture date. You can usually find the expiration date on a label on the back of the seat. You can also look it up online or contact the manufacturer. We’ve written about how to get rid of a used car seat. Some stores periodically offer trade-in events. Target, for example, holds a trade-in event once or twice a year. Bring your old seat to the store. The store will get rid of it for you responsibly. They will typically offer you a coupon for your next purchase.
Beware of falls outside the car:
It’s a surprising fact that more babies in car seats are hurt in accidents outside of cars than in car crashes. This is from a 2010 study in the journal Pediatrics. Be careful when putting your infant on a high surface while they’re in the seat. Falls from car tops and shopping cart tops are common. An infant seat is safest inside the cart, not perched on its handle. If you’re resting an infant car seat on a stable surface outside the car, rotate the handle down. This will give it extra support.