The Best Infant Car Seats of 2025
According to car seat experts and thousands of parents.
By
An infant car seat is one of the most important items of baby gear you’re going to need as a new parent if you plan on driving with your baby—and one of the most confusing to research. If you’re looking for the best car seat for your family, we’re here to help.
As a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST, a specially trained car seat educator), I spent hours researching and real-world testing infant car seats, talking to other car seat safety experts and getting feedback from Babylist parents with years of experience. We think the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat stands out from the crowd as the best infant car seat overall.
It’s a safe, well-priced seat that’s easy to install and won’t take up too much space in your back seat. It’s also compatible with a wide variety of stroller brands to create a travel system, making getting out with your baby a little bit easier.
But if you’re a parent-to-be who wants even more options, there are many reliable infant seats across all different price points to fit your family’s needs. We’re giving honorable mention to three more seats: the Nuna Pipa Rx with Relx Base, Graco’s SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX and the Evenflo Litemax DLX.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Firsthand professional and personal experience. As a CPST, I'm trained in car seat installation, usage and safety. I stay up-to-date on car seat education through continuing education classes, seminars and CPST education groups. I'm also Babylist's gear editor; I've been writing about baby gear at Babylist since 2019 and have been the gear editor since 2021. I've personally tested and reviewed dozens of infant car seats during this time. And I'm a mom of two boys, ages three and ten—so I have over a decade of hands-on car seat experience with my two sons.
Expert interviews. I spoke to several experts while researching and writing this guide, including two other CPSTs: Rebekah Kimminau, founder of The Baby Gear Consultant, and Samantha Taylor of Mama Knows Car Seats. I also interviewed Joe Colella, Director of Child Passenger Safety at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, a leading industry voice on quality and safety for baby and children’s products.
Infant car seat data. I regularly analyze which baby products our users are adding to their baby registries the most (and which ones they aren’t) and what our team of Merchandising experts—our buyers who are responsible for ensuring the Babylist Shop is stocked with the best and newest gear—is excited about. Studying this kind of data helped us choose which infant car seats to narrow in on and which ones to recommend to new and expecting parents.
Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from Babylist’s annual product survey of thousands of parents, read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our staff about their real-life product experiences.
How We Judged
Before you begin evaluating seats, here are some helpful things to know:
An infant car seat is a car seat made specifically for babies from birth until about one year old. Infant car seats always face the rear of a vehicle.
The majority of infant car seats attach to a base. The base stays installed in your car and the seat clicks in and out. Some infant car seats can be used without the base; in that case, you’ll use your vehicle’s seat belt or built-in connectors called LATCH to install the seat and keep it in place.
Infant car seats can be used from day one until your baby reaches the seat’s height OR weight maximum, which for most seats is anywhere between 30-35 inches or 30-35 pounds. As soon as one of these limits is met, it’s time to move on to a convertible car seat.
All infant car seats sold in the US must pass the same federal safety standards. While some car seats have extra safety features, that doesn’t mean those seats are safer. How easy a car seat is to install + how it fits your child also contribute to a car seat’s safety. You can read more on this later in this guide.
You’ll come across many technical-sounding terms when reading about car seats. While you don’t need to spend weeks figuring it all out, a basic understanding of car seat terminology can go a long way as you evaluate the right seat for you. The Infant Car Seat Gear Glossary can help.
Best Infant Car Seat Overall
Pros
- Loved by parents + car seat safety experts
- Slim enough to work for 3-across in most cars
- Compatible with a wide variety of stroller brands
Cons
- Can be tough to install without the base
- The anti-rebound bar makes the seat longer front-to-back, so taller parents may be uncomfortable if it’s behind their front seat
- Heavier than some other options
While many factors go into determining what makes a great infant car seat, two stand out: safety features and ease of installation. The KeyFit 35 excels at both, making it our top overall pick for the best infant car seat for most families. Babylist parents agree—almost 20% named the KeyFit 35 as their favorite infant car seat in our annual Favorite Baby Products survey.
The KeyFit 35 is a “remarkably easy” seat to install, according to Samantha Taylor, Child Passenger Safety technician (CPST) and the voice behind Mama Knows Car Seats. There’s one tightener in the middle that pulls the base securely in place and a built-in, easy-to-read level indicator that lets you know when the seat is correctly positioned.
“This tried and true installation is one of the easiest on the market,” says Rebekah Kimminau, CPST and founder of The Baby Gear Consultant. This is important not only because it’s going to make installing your seat a lot less stressful, but because an easy-to-install car seat is one that you’re more likely to install correctly—and a correctly installed car seat is a safer car seat.
Safety-wise, the KeyFit 35 “fits even the tiniest babies really well,” according to Taylor, and you’ll be able to use the seat from birth until your baby reaches 35 pounds or 32 inches—a higher weight and height limit than Chicco’s other widely loved seat, the KeyFit 30. There’s also an anti-rebound bar to prevent extra movement in the event of a crash.
Babylist parents say other standout features are the seat’s no-rethread harness (making fit adjustments quick and easy as your baby grows), the removable, washable cover (because car seat mess is real) and the narrow profile (it works well in smaller cars or three across). And the seat is compatible with a wide variety of popular strollers, so you can go from the car to running errands without disrupting your baby.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-35 lbs, up to 32"
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 8.5 lbs
Honorable Mention
While Chicco KeyFit 35 is our overall top pick for infant car seats, there are many other safe, reliable seats that can work for your family. Here are other top picks that I recommend along with car seat safety experts and Babylist parents.
Nuna PIPA rx Infant Car Seat with RELX Base - Caviar
From $450.00Pros
- Fits most vehicles + most babies well
- Lightweight
- Can be used with or without base
- Premium safety features, including rigid LATCH system and Relx stability leg
Cons
- Pricey
- Rethread harness (need to manually adjust)
- Tricky to clean
The Nuna Pipa Rx is one of few seats on the market that uses something called rigid LATCH to connect the car seat’s base to a vehicle, and it’s the feature I love most about this infant car seat. (LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, a way of securing a car seat to a vehicle. You can see it in action in our in-depth Nuna Pipa Rx review.) “Rigid” means that the metal connectors that protrude from the Pipa’s base attach directly to the metal lower anchors of your vehicle—no straps or hooks involved. Why is this a big deal? Because rigid LATCH connections are the most secure, meaning your car seat will move the least in the event of a crash. "We have so much peace of mind knowing our baby is safe anytime she is in the car," one parent told us. Rigid LATCH also makes for a fast, easy and foolproof installation. “Whether you’re installing the Relx base or installing the Pipa RX baseless, it could not be faster or more straightforward,” says Taylor. The base installation of this seat takes me under 30 seconds, while a baseless install takes just about a minute.
Taylor also applauds the seat for “all of the advanced safety features,” like the anti-rebound panel and the fold-down stability leg (also called a load leg) that extends from the base of the seat to the floor and is designed to absorb impact in an accident. And Babylist parents agree, consistently praising the Nuna Pipa Rx. "What sold me were the extra safety features [like the] anti-rebound bar and load leg," said one parent. Just know that if you’re considering a car seat with a load leg, they’re permitted in most—but not all—vehicles, so check your car’s owner’s manual before you buy.
And last but definitely not least is this seat's incredibly light weight. At just about seven pounds, it's easy to lift, carry and maneuver. Babylist parents also rave about the quality materials and the extendable Sky drape canopy that provides full coverage from the elements, as well as the many different strollers the seat is compatible with the use of an adapter. I also often recommend this seat to people who frequently take rideshares or taxis, as the Pipa Rx is a breeze to install in any car without the base.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-32 lbs, up to 32”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 7.6 lbs
Graco SnugRide DLX Infant Car Seat ft. Load Leg Technology - Astaire
From $183.99Pros
- Load leg + anti-rebound bar
- Easy to install using built-in level indicator
- No-rethread harness
Cons
- Not a great fit for preemies and smaller babies
- Some parents struggle with the one-button handle adjustment
Graco makes a lot of infant car seats (there are seven different variations of the SnugRide series for sale in the Babylist Shop alone), but we’ve pegged this load leg version of the SnugFit 35 DLX as our favorite because of its ease of installation combined with added safety features at a reasonable price point.
Like the other seats in the SnugFit line, this seat is super easy to install—and that’s important when choosing a car seat. “The SnugLock arm on the base makes installation in any vehicle an absolute breeze,” says Taylor.
Features-wise, what sets this seat apart is the addition of the load leg, a safety extra not found in most of the other seats in Graco’s SnugRide lineup. While it does slightly increase the seat’s cost, we think it’s a worthwhile upgrade. (The SnugFit 35, a similar seat, will only save you about $60 and doesn’t feature a load leg and lacks a few other key features.) We also appreciate that the headrest and harness can be adjusted together while your child is in the seat (this is called a no-rethread harness), making getting just the right fit much less of a struggle than with other similar car seats.
Other features we like about this infant car seat include the one-hand adjustable handle, better head support and side impact protection than the standard SnugFit 35 model, four recline positions and a narrow profile at only about 17 inches across.
If we had to choose another favorite among the SnugFit lineup, we recommend checking out the SnugRide 35 Lite LX. It’s more bare bones and doesn’t feature a load leg or an anti-rebound bar, but it weighs over a pound less than the DLX and is an extremely affordable choice if you’re prioritizing weight when choosing an infant seat.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-35 lbs, up to 32”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 8.7 lbs
Evenflo Litemax DLX Infant Car Seat with SafeZone Load Leg Base - Sawyer Gray
From $64.05Pros
- Impressive safety and comfort features for a lower price
- Low weight minimum (3 lbs); fits even the smallest of babies
- Ergonomic handle for a more comfortable carry
Cons
- Installation is easy, but you’ll need to pay attention to the details
- Only compatible with Evenflo strollers
- Buckles tend to be stiff and difficult to unclip
Weighing in at only about eight pounds and featuring a load leg, the LiteMax is an impressive seat when you also consider the under $200 price tag. This seat has the lowest weight allowance on the market at three pounds (with physician’s approval, per Evenflo), making it a great choice if you’re bringing home a preemie or a smaller baby, according to Taylor. Other features to love include an adjustable headrest, no rethread harness and LATCH install.
When it comes to the install, it’s fairly easy, but there are a few details that you’ll want to pay attention to, like the recline angle of the base and the positioning of the load leg. Evenflo offers free one-on-one video installation support meetings with a certified car seat technician if you need help or want to check your work.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-35 lbs (3-35 lbs with physician approval), up to 32”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 8.7 lbs
Other Car Seats We Love
If you need an infant car seat to suit a specific need, like an extremely lightweight seat or a seat with all the safety bells and whistles, these infant car seats earn top spots on our list.
Best Car Seat Stroller Combo
Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller - Grey Hound
From $550.00Pros
- Infant car seat + stroller all in one
- Great for travel and city life
- Lighter weight than most other strollers
Cons
- Low height and weight limits; likely to be outgrown before 18 months
- Low handlebar can be uncomfortable for taller parents
- Heavy
- No storage basket, snack tray or cup holder
The Doona was the first of its kind: an infant car seat that instantly transforms into a stroller with the click of a button. This innovative feature makes the Doona the ultimate, all-in-one system for frequent travelers. It’s also ideal for city dwellers who need to quickly get in and out of public transportation, parents who live in an apartment complex and have a long way to walk between their apartment and their car or if you’re in and out of the car a lot dropping off older siblings and don’t want to disturb your sleeping baby.
"The durability and versatility of this one product has made our lives so much easier and efficient!" one parent shared. "It made taking baby out of the house so much easier," said another.
The Doona does have some downsides to be aware of, though. Once your child outgrows it, you won’t be able to use the stroller anymore. There’s no storage basket, and most babies outgrow it sooner than other infant car seats. And the handle on the Doona is low and isn’t adjustable, so it can be awkward if you’re taller. (I’m 5’10”, and I definitely have to lean over to push it.)
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-35 lbs, up to 32”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 14.3 lbs
Best Lightweight Infant Car Seat
Pros
- Lightest infant car seat on the market (without attachments)
- Extra safety features, including anti-rebound bar and stability leg
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Cons
- Only compatible with UPPAbaby strollers
- Inner seat bottom is narrow, so chunkier babies might feel more cramped
- Anti-rebound bar and load leg take up more space front-to-back, so will be a tight fit in smaller cars
UPPAbaby’s newest addition to their car seat lineup is our top pick if you’re prioritizing weight when shopping for an infant car seat. At six pounds minus the canopy and inserts, even I was surprised at how light this seat was the first time I picked it up—and I’ve carried a lot of car seats over the years. (The Aria is almost four pounds lighter than UPPA’s other popular infant car seat, the Mesa V2. You can see it in action in our in-depth Aria review.) Safety-wise, there’s an anti-rebound panel and a load leg, and the seat is easy to install thanks to LATCH and visual indicators that turn red if something’s not right.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-30 lbs, up to 30”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 6 lbs
Best Infant Car Seat for City Families
Joie Mint Latch Baseless Infant Car Seat - Shale
From $249.99Pros
- Installs quickly and easily without a base
- Perfect for city families who don't own a car
- Most affordable baseless seat on the market
- Lightweight
Cons
- Low height limit
There are only a few baseless car seats on the market, and the new Mint Latch seat from Joie is my personal favorite. It’s completely baseless; just click it directly into your vehicle using the built-in LATCH connectors and you're good to go. It's a great seat for many families, but especially so for urban parents who don’t own a car and rely on rideshares to get around. It's also a good pick for parents who need a seat that switches between cars quickly and easily. It's the most affordable baseless infant car seat on the market and weighs only nine pounds. It does have a lower height limit than many other infant car seats, though, so keep that in mind.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-30 lbs, up to 30”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 9.2 lbs
Best Infant Car Seat for Small Cars
Clek Clek Liing Infant Seat - Railroad Ziip (Flame Retardant Free)
From $479.99Pros
- Compact & narrow size = good for smaller cars or fitting 3-across
- Packed with safety and comfort features
- Fits both smaller and larger infants well
Cons
- Pricey
- Some parents had trouble removing the seat from the base
At less than 17 inches across and compact front-to-back, the Clek Liing is ideal if you have a smaller vehicle or if you need to fit multiple car seats across your back seat. And if you’re looking for an infant seat with all of the safety extras, it shines there, too, as a “fan favorite” according to Taylor. It’s also the infant car seat I chose and used for over a year with my second son—exactly because of these safety features.
Like the Nuna Pipa, the Liing uses rigid LATCH, ensuring a tight installation and minimizing the chance your seat will shift during a crash. (There’s also a load leg to reduce crash forces.) Seven different recline positions—15 degrees of total recline—help you achieve the best positioning for your little one regardless of the angle of your vehicle’s seat. This ensures they’re in the proper (and safest) position and means you’re likely to get a good fit even if your car is compact from front to back.
There’s also a two-stage infant insert, GREENGUARD Gold Certification and three eco-friendly fabric options. And it has a European belt path (a routing path that makes installing the car seat with just a seat belt safer and easier) if you want to use the seat without its base.
Additional Specs
Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4-30 lbs, up to 32”
Car Seat Carrier Weight: 9 lbs
What You Need to Know About Infant Car Seats
Most parents choose to register for or buy an infant car seat because it’s designed specifically for younger babies. Other types of car seats include:
Convertible car seats: These grow-with-your-child seats transform from rear-facing car seats for babies and toddlers to forward-facing seats for older children. Some convertible seats can be used from birth, but know that they’re heavy and bulky and aren’t designed to be taken in and out of a vehicle frequently. Many parents choose a convertible car seat as the next step after their child has outgrown their infant car seat. Rotating car seats and all-in-one car seats fall into the convertible car seat category.
Booster seats: A booster seat uses a vehicle’s seat belt as a restraint. Think of a booster as the step between a car seat and a seat belt; it elevates a child in a car’s seat, making adult seat belts fit better on little bodies. You’ll move to a booster once our child maxes out the top limit of their forward-facing convertible car seat.
Infant car seats versus convertible car seats
You'll need a car seat if you plan to take your baby in the car. Whether you choose an infant car seat or a convertible is a matter of personal preference.
Purchasing a convertible car seat means one less piece of baby gear to research and buy. (These are our picks for best convertible car seat, if you decide to switch or start with one.) Convertibles also have a much longer lifespan than infant seats; many will take you from the baby days well into the preschool years, and some even through elementary school. But for most parents, “an infant seat is the right choice for a first car seat,” explains Taylor.
Many convertible car seats don’t fit newborns very well, says Taylor. “There are a few convertible car seats that do, but far and away the newborn fit of an infant seat is more consistent,” she explains. “You also can’t beat the convenience of an infant seat for those quick trips into the store (and seemingly weekly trips to the pediatrician in the beginning). Unless you feel particularly comfortable baby-wearing from birth, for example, it’s difficult to bring a newborn into the grocery store without an infant car seat, as most babies cannot sit up in a shopping cart safely until beyond six months of age.”
Convertible car seats are also heavy and time-consuming to uninstall and reinstall. If your baby will be riding in multiple vehicles, transferring an infant car seat is much easier. (Just be sure to purchase an additional car seat base for your other vehicle.) It’s also easier to transfer a sleeping baby from the car to the stroller (or the other way around) if you’re using an infant car seat that’s compatible with your stroller. This is doable if you purchase a travel system—a car seat and a stroller from the same brand that attach—or create your own set using adapters. (You can check our Car Seat and Stroller Compatibility guide to see which brands work together.)
Why do infant car seats face backward?
“According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it's safest for infants and toddlers to ride rear-facing in a car seat for as long as possible,” explains Colella. “This recommendation is based on data showing that rear-facing seats offer better protection in crashes for children from birth through 23 months of age, along with child development and biomechanics considerations.”
How long can babies stay in an infant car seat?
Infant car seats can be used from day one until your baby reaches the seat’s maximum height or weight limit (usually anywhere between 30-35 pounds, depending on the specifics of your seat).
While you can switch as early as you want, according to Taylor, “you must switch if ONE limit of the car seat is met,” she explains. This means that if your child falls within the height limits of your infant car seat but has outgrown the seat’s weight limit, it’s time to switch to a convertible car seat—and vice versa. Most babies outgrow their infant seat around one year of age, but it can also happen much sooner, depending on your baby’s growth. Let Us Help You Pick Your Next Car Seat is as helpful resource for making the infant-to-convertible switch.
How to Choose a Safe Infant Car Seat
Ask any car seat expert about how to choose the safest car seat and you’ll likely get the same response: all car seats sold in the US must meet the same strict safety regulations and pass all testing and requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (That’s exactly what Joe Colella told us, emphasizing that “a higher price tag does not necessarily equate to more safety.”) But what exactly does that mean, and how does it translate in real life as you shop for an infant car seat and compare features?
According to Colella, the car seat you choose should meet these criteria:
Fits your child. “The right car seat is one designed for your child’s height, weight, age and developmental needs,” he says.
Fits your vehicle. The car seat must be correctly attached to the vehicle to perform its functions. “Following car seat installation instructions and vehicle owner’s manual guidance is crucial.”
Used consistently and correctly. You and anyone else who drives your child need to be familiar with the car seat and its features and should be comfortable using it correctly on every ride.
These three things—how a car seat fits your child, how easy it is to install it in your car and how easy it is to use day in and day out—are inextricably linked to a car seat’s safety. You can buy a seat with all the extra safety features in the world, but if it’s impossible to install or doesn’t fit well in your car, none of the extra bells and whistles matter.
“With hundreds of seats to choose from, rest assured that every single one is a safe choice,” echoes Taylor. “If you’re buying a car seat from a reputable retailer or directly from the manufacturer, it passed rigorous safety testing.” She recommends narrowing down your choices by focusing on four factors: your budget, safety features, unique seat features and compatibility.
Car seat fit
Figuring out if the car seat you like will fit in your car is one of the most common concerns we hear from parents-to-be. And while there’s no substitute for a real-life test, we know how difficult that can be—so here’s what else you can do.
Measure. Simple, yes, but we can’t stress just how important this step is when you’re shopping for a new car seat. Before committing, look up the seat’s dimensions, then break out the measuring tape and spend a few minutes in your car. If you own a compact car, be attentive to the seat’s height and depth measurements. If fitting multiple car seats across your back seat is your concern, consider the car seat’s width measurements.
Check if the car seat can touch the front seat. An infant car seat’s front-to-back measurement and the angle required for a proper install both can affect how a car seat fits into a back seat. A tall, deep seat with fewer recline options can cause an issue if you drive a smaller, more compact vehicle or if you’re tall and need space to push your front seat back. One way to solve for this is to research if the particular brand of seat you’re interested in allows for a rear-facing car seat to touch the vehicle seat in front of it. Most manufacturers allow a car seat and a front seat to lightly touch, but some require an inch or two of clearance between the two. (And even within the manufacturers that do allow the seats to touch, there are very specific—and differing—guidelines brand by brand. Here are Graco's guidelines, for example, versus Clek’s.) You can search and download a manufacturer’s car seat manual to check guidelines around this before you purchase.
Pay attention to recline. Recline is for more than just comfort; it also affects how a seat fits in a vehicle once it’s installed. Generally, a car seat with more recline options will fit a wider range of vehicles. But like all things with car seats, this isn’t always the case—so don’t use this as your only fit predictor.
Infant car seat safety features
According to the car seat safety experts we spoke to, these are the safety features to prioritize when shopping for an infant car seat.
Anti-rebound bar: In the event of a crash, a car seat will move toward the point of impact. An anti-rebound bar reduces the movement of a car seat as it moves back into your vehicle’s back seat. It halts the rebound and causes the seat to come to a stop sooner than it would have without the bar.
LATCH: LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system is an alternate way to secure your car seat that uses built-in anchors and tethers rather than your vehicle’s seat belt. The system consists of two lower anchors found in the seat crack of your car that clip or hook onto two lower attachments on your car seat and a tether anchor behind the back seat that clips onto a tether hook found on the back of your car seat. LATCH is not available in every seating position, so you’ll need to consult your vehicle manual. Both LATCH and seat belt installations are safe, but in most cases are not to be used at the same time. There are also LATCH weight limits that you need to be aware of before utilizing this system to install your seat.
Side impact protection: “Enhanced side impact protection features can improve child safety in crashes from more directions,” explains Colella. All car seats manufactured after June 30, 2025, will be required to meet side impact performance regulations, but some models already have features built in that have been crash-tested for improved outcomes.
Stability leg/load leg: A load leg is a metal pole that extends from the base of an infant car seat to the floor of a vehicle. Also called stability legs, they reduce the amount of crash energy transferred to a child, according to Colella, specifically to the head and neck. (Not all vehicles allow the use of load legs, however, so always check your owner’s manual.)
You may also want to consider these additional safety features:
Alert systems: These built-in sensor systems are designed to warn a driver if a child is inadvertently left in the car and are something parents should consider when shopping for an infant car seat, according to Colella. Some can also communicate with the driver if the child is not fully buckled in or if other unsafe conditions are occurring.
European belt path vs. American belt path: A belt path is how you’ll install your car seat when you’re not using a base. (Think for travel, rideshares, etc.) Both belt paths start by routing your car’s lap belt over your baby’s lap area. A European belt path wraps the belt around the back of the infant seat for extra protection. Car seat safety experts recommend the European belt path as it allows for a more secure installation and decreases crash forces.
No-rethread harness: As your baby grows, you’ll need to adjust your seat’s shoulder straps to accommodate the correct fit. A no-rethread harness means you’ll be able to move the straps up and down without having to manually reroute them through the back of the seat.
Safety indicators: Some car seats come with built-in leveling systems and indicators to signal they’ve been correctly installed.
Infant car seat convenience features
If you drive often, you’re going to be getting your baby in and out of their car seat quite a bit—so it’s just as important to evaluate ease of use features when you’re researching car seats. “Beyond features directly related to crash performance, parents should consider features that will encourage correct use 100 percent of the time,” explains Colella. These are some to consider.
Canopy: A canopy is an extendable piece of fabric found at the top of a car seat. Canopies extend and retract to provide shade, protection from the elements and privacy for your baby.
Ease of cleaning. “A lesser known fact about car seats is that not all covers are machine washable,” explains Taylor. Babies are messy, and this feature is a must-have for some parents.
Fabric: Besides looking for a style of fabric that matches your taste, consider its durability and how easy it’ll be to wash when messes happen. You also may want to consider an infant car seat with GREENGUARD Gold Certification, which means both the item and its manufacturing process were tested and reviewed for over 10,000 chemical and VOC emissions.
Fit: Car seats range in size and shape. The way a car seat fits in your specific vehicle is both a convenience feature (especially if you’re on the taller side or prefer to recline your seat) and a safety feature (a safe car seat is one that fits properly in your car’s back seat and can be secured correctly).
Peekaboo window: A peekaboo window is a small opening found in the fabric of a car seat canopy. It’s often made of mesh or another type of sheer fabric and lets you get a quick peek at what your little one is up to without having to retract the canopy or sneak around the side of the seat.
Stroller compatibility: You can snap infant car seats into many strollers or stroller frames. You can buy a prearranged set, like a travel system, or mix and match brands as long as they are compatible via car seat adapters.
Weight: A lightweight seat isn’t a necessity, but it makes carrying around your baby easier on your arms and back.
Infant Car Seat Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put an infant car seat?
The center of your vehicle’s back seat is statistically the safest place to install your child’s car seat. That’s because many crashes involve a side impact, so a middle position will help to avoid direct impact. However, not all vehicles allow for a car seat in every spot that has a seat belt. If you can’t install your car seat in the center, choose the position where you can install it tightly using either LATCH or your vehicle’s seat belt, according to the AAP’s car seat safety information guidelines. And always check your specific vehicle’s owner’s manual before installation. The Safe Kids’ Ultimate Car Seat Guide Installation Tips is a great resource for car seat installation.
Can my baby sleep in their infant car seat?
Yes, babies can fall asleep in an infant car seat, but it’s important to then transfer them to a safe sleep space like a crib or a bassinet, as the AAP recommends against the use of car seats for sleep outside of a car. The AAP also advises that babies have a break from the car seat every 90 minutes.
Can I buy a used infant car seat?
Car seat safety experts always recommend purchasing any car seat new, as a used seat may be damaged or may not meet current safety regulations. If you do end up selecting a used infant car seat, get it from someone you trust. Be sure the seat has never been in a crash, look up the seat’s expiration date and check for any recalls through NHTSA. If the seat is dirty, follow the manufacturer’s strict rules around how to clean the car seat; each seat has a specific set of cleaning instructions to maintain the seat’s safety and integrity.
