5 Best Infant Car Seats for Newbie Parents
When you’re a new parent, things are getting thrown at you from all directions. It doesn’t help that the wide variety of baby gear items that are meant to help you can overwhelm you at the same time.
Car seats fall into this category. Have you been shopping for an infant car set yet? If so, you know what we’re talking about. If you haven’t, buckle up, you’re in for a long ride. There’s a lot to choose from out there.
An infant car seat is one of the most important purchases you’re going to make so you want to get it right the first time. That’s why we’re here to sort it all out for you so that you find one of the best car seats on the market.
5 Best Infant Car Seats
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
Courtesy: Amazon (6/2024 no longer on Amazon)
This infant car seat from Britax is a favorite because it is surrounded by safety. It has an impact-absorbing base as well as side-impact protection and a steel frame.
It is also a rear-facing model because all infants need to be rear-facing. This particular seat fits babies from 4 to 35 pounds. There are is a spring-assisted recline and indicators to ensure that the seat is in its best installation angle.
On a side note, the car seat is compatible with the Britax Be agile travel system. This allows you to take the car seat out of the car and lock it safely in a stroller.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat
Courtesy: Amazon
Graco also makes an infant car seat that’s worth looking at. This model has a 4-position adjustable base that lets you customize the fit to your vehicle. When it comes to safety it meets or exceeds all standards. It also has side-impact protection.
If you’re worried about the installation, there is an easy to read level that helps to eliminate the guesswork. It also comes with a 5-point adjustable harness so that you can feel secure that your baby is safely in the car seat. When you put it in the car, listen for the click to let you know it’s securely in the base.
This seat is also rear-facing and holds babies from 4-35 pounds.
Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
Courtesy: Amazon
As you’re shopping for car seats, you’ll also see several models made by Chicco. They are a well-known name in the baby gear industry and make quality products like this particular infant car seat.
This one is easy to install with its recline level foot and other features that let you know you’ve done it right. There is also a 5-point harness to keep your baby safely in place during the car ride. You can use this infant car seat until your baby reaches 30 pounds. The removable newborn head and body supports give your baby the extra cushion they need to feel cozy in their seat. This is important because if they’re not comfortable in their car seat it’s not going to be a pleasant ride for anyone.
Many parents like the Chicco car seats because they click easily into Chicco strollers. You just take the car seat out of the car and click it into the stroller.
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
Here’s where things get a little tricky. There are car seats that are solely for infants, like the ones we mentioned above. Then, there are seats that grow with your child. They start off rear-facing and can be turned front-facing as your baby gets older.
Courtesy: Amazon
This one from Graco is an example. It allows for your child to be rear-facing up to 50 pounds and front-facing up to 65 pounds. One of the great features with this one is that there is a 4-position adjustable extension panel that gives kids up to 5” of additional legroom. This lets them stay rear-facing longer which is always a plus.
There is a super sturdy frame to support your child as they grow. There is also a cool harness compartment that holds the buckle out of the way so that you can get your baby in and out of the car easily.
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat
Courtesy: Amazon
Here’s another option if you like the idea of “one and done” when it comes to buying a car seat. This one from Britax starts off as rear-facing and grows with your child until they no longer need a car seat.
From the infant position, it converts to a front-facing car seat and then a booster. It can hold children up to 120 pounds. There is a 5-point harness so you always know that your baby is in there safely.
It also has something called ClickTight Installation. There are just three easy steps to make sure you’ve installed the seat correctly. You open, thread and buckle, and click it to close.
Although this car seat is on the expensive side, you only have to buy one for your child’s entire life. So when you think about that, it’s really not so bad.
The Big Takeaway
When it comes to the best infant car seats, safety is always the top priority. This is why you should also check safety ratings and look for any recent recalls. You also want to make sure it’s installed correctly. If you’re unsure how to do this, contact your local police department. Many will do it for you or at least check to make sure it’s in there right.
Remember, you also never want to buy a used car seat. As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks, you never know about previous recalls or if the car seat was involved in an accident.
In the end, if the shopping process is still overwhelming, sort out the features so that you can find the ones you really want. This should help you find an infant car seat that fits your needs and budget. Happy shopping newbie parent!
updated:6/1/2024
