Infant Car Seat Buying Guide
Cloth diapers or disposable? Baby Einstein or Barney? The list of decisions new parents have to make
is endless and can be overwhelming. Fortunately, choosing an infant car seat doesn’t have to be. All infant
car seats manufactured and sold in the United States are required to meet federal safety standards, so you can focus on
Pronto’s Infant Car Seat Buying Guide to help you determine which infant car seat best meets the needs of your baby,
your budget and your lifestyle. Proper fit and installation are critical. Be sure to save the original box, packaging and receipt
and be familiar with return policies (see also
Child Car Seat Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Vehicle compatibility
Above all, the infant car seat needs to fit your car and should be easy to install and remove based on your vehicle’s dimensions. Even if your neighbor with the twins drives the same car as you, hand-me-downs or used seats should be avoided unless they come from a trusted source. Buy new.
Size, weight and fit
Car seats need to fit your vehicle and fit your child. You’ll also be toting it in and out of the car and places in between. As your baby gains weight, you want to be sure the car seat is still comfortable to carry.
Ease of use outside of the car
Do you walk more than you drive, often take public transportation or climb lots of stairs? Will you be flying frequently with your baby? Look for car seats that easily adapt to your lifestyle.
Ability to meet special needs
Manufacturers now offer low-birth weight inserts and other models for infants with special health needs.
Additional features and value
Accessories are nice to have, but the models they come with might not be right for your child. Adding accessories may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Read the fine print before opting for extras.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We recommend the Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat. Its ergonomic handle, unobtrusive (but parent-pleasing) features like double infant head support and a weather boot as well as easy to clean padding make it a solid, stylish winner in the category. Parents Magazine called it “Super Safe” and customers on multiple Web sites gave it good reviews in every category, especially in durability and ease of use.
We recommend the Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat. Its ergonomic handle, unobtrusive (but parent-pleasing) features like double infant head support and a weather boot as well as easy to clean padding make it a solid, stylish winner in the category. Parents Magazine called it “Super Safe” and customers on multiple Web sites gave it good reviews in every category, especially in durability and ease of use.
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experts say
Parents Magazine - The
Graco Infant SafeSeat was named by Parents Magazine Gear Pick and its Baby Talk Web site as Editor’s Choice (2006) calling it “super-safe, and ideal for toting your baby out of the car and around town.”
Source: Parents Magazine
celebrity buzz
What infant car seats are the celebrities using?
Graco is the choice for Hollywood’s Babies. Desperate Housewife Marcia Cross’ twins ride in Graco’s Infant SafeSeats while Matt Damon’s daughter and Adam Sandler’s wee ones are safe and sound in Graco’s Snugride.
Source: Celebritydirt.org
Graco is the choice for Hollywood’s Babies. Desperate Housewife Marcia Cross’ twins ride in Graco’s Infant SafeSeats while Matt Damon’s daughter and Adam Sandler’s wee ones are safe and sound in Graco’s Snugride.
Source: Celebritydirt.org
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Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
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Basic seats. Expect to pay $60-120. They come with a base, shield, LATCH, five-point harness, washable fabric. Most likely NOT convertible to forward facing or useful beyond the 20-25lb limit. Good Pick: Evenflo Tribute |
Compare prices at 2 stores
$50 – $105
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Advanced Seats ($120-200) are fancier versions of the basics and may feature ‘rotating’ canopies instead of static or “one-hand dial” locks instead of standard ones. Advanced seats are more likely to be convertible to forward-facing to support children over 25lbs, often up to 40lbs, when some children will be ready for a booster seat. Good Pick: Graco Safeseat |
Buy now at
$189.95
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High-end Seats ($200-350). Seats at the top of the line are likely to feature brand names like Eddie Bauer, or special design like Britax’s “Tiffany” line. Good Pick: Britax Companion |
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shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Convertible
Seats that function as rear-facing and convert to forward-facing when your child reaches the age and weight recommendation for forward-facing seats (changing your child over to forward-facing once the age/weight recommendation is met is the parents’ decision—seats don’t come with weight indicators).
Forward-Facing
Seats that face the front of the car. Recommend for children over the age of one who weight 20 + pounds.
Rear-Facing
Seats that face the car’s rear window. Rear-facing seats are recommended for all infants from birth up to 20lbs.
Base
The base allows you to detach the seat from the car without disturbing your child. If your child has multiple caregivers and rides in multiple cars, consider purchasing additional bases for convenience.
LATCH System
LATCH (an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is an alternative way to secure your child in their car seat without a safety belt. In 2002 the government mandated that all new vehicles comply with LATCH and come equipped with metal anchors beneath the rear seats to secure car seats. LATCH is now a virtual standard aspect of all brands and models of car seats.
5-point harness
Car seat harnesses that attach at both shoulders, both hips and at the crotch for a total of five attachment points. Not all seats feature the 5-point harness; some only feature 3 attachment points. It’s important to note that neither Consumer Reports nor the American Association of Pediatrics recommend the 3-point harness system.
