Best Car Seats For Toddlers And Babies
Car seats reduce the risk of death for infants 71% and reduce the risk of death by 54% for children ages 1-4, this according the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also, using the incorrect child seat is against the law. This showcases the vital need for all babies and toddlers to be safely restrained in a car seat when riding in a car. The car seat options listed below are some of the safest on the market today. You can feel good knowing that choosing any of them will ensure your baby or toddler is as safe as possible in a vehicle. If your child was injured in a Kentucky car crash, contact our Louisville car accident lawyers.
Infant Seats: Rear-Facing
This type of seat is designed for babies. They always face the back, so their weight limit will not always accommodate larger babies or toddlers. The benefit of this type of seat is its portable design. These seats are created in two separate pieces. The base stays installed in the car, while the infant seat itself can be unlocked and removed from the car. This allows parents to transport sleeping babies from the vehicle without waking them. It also provides parents a safe, secure place for their baby to sit when away from home.
Britax B-Safe 35
This sleek little seat is aptly named, as it offers many features geared towards making it as safe as possible for your little one. The weight/height capacity is anywhere from 4-35lbs and up to 32” tall. It comes with SafeCell Technology, which was created for impact absorption in the event of a crash. It also has easy-to-read level indicators to help parents know they have installed the seat properly. Other neat features include an extra large canopy that keeps baby’s face from getting too much sun and a carrying handle that locks into any position during travel. It is also noted for being especially good for small babies, like preemies.
Chicco Keyfit 30 Magic:
Known as the easiest infant seat to install, the Chicco Keyfit 30 Magic seat has also been voted the best infant seat by “Good House Keeping.” The weight/height limitations on this seat are from 4-30lbs and up to 30” tall. This seat has a unique feature, its center-pull lower LATCH anchor adjustment and tightening capabilities. You can also adjust the five-point harness on this seat with one hand. This is a welcome feature for parents who rarely have an extra hand to spare.
Safety 1st Onboard 35 Air:
This is another aptly name car seat, thanks to its many safety features. One such feature is its “air protect” technology that provides enhanced protection for side-impact accidents. The weight/height limitations are 4-35lbs and up to 32” tall. This is another seat that is especially noted for its ability to safely fit small infants, such as preemies. However, it is also one of the taller infant seats on the market, meaning babies can use the seat for longer than most other similar seats. It’s also made is the USA.
Convertible or All-in-One Car Seats
This type of seat is the typical next step for parents after the infant seat. This seat can be installed to face the back for smaller babies or turned to face forward for toddlers. Many of the models will even fit full term newborns, which leads some parents to forgo an infant seat altogether and instead opt for this type of seat, which grows with their baby.
Britax Boulevard ClickTight
This convertible seat by Britax has a weight limitation of 5-40lbs when rear-facing and 20-65lbs when forward-facing. It features the ClickTight installation system, which is in essence a built-in lockoff device for the seatbelt. The seat also contains EPP foam, has an energy-absorbing headrest and HUGS harness pads, which are also energy absorbing, along with non-twits harness straps and an impact-absorbing anti-slip base. It has seven recline positions and comes complete with an optional newborn insert.
Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat:
Voted the 2015 winner for the “Best Convertible Car Seat of The Year” by “Moms’ Picks” on babycenter, this convertible car seat by Chicco offers a little bit of everything. Its weight limitations are 5-40lbs when rear-facing and 22-65lbs when forward-facing. The NextFit Zip has the SuperCinch LATCH tightener for easy installation, along with a bubble level indicator that allows parents to know the correct seat angle. It also features nine reclining positions and six headrest options, along with an infant insert for babies. What likely makes this is a mom favorite; however, is the fact that the seat pad unzips, allowing parents to run it through the washing machine.
When you have a new baby, you want to do everything within your power to keep that precious life safe. Consequently, you will want to choose the safest and best car seat on the market. To make this choice, you need to know which seats are the best when it comes to keeping your baby and toddler safe. We hope this list has helped make this all important decision easier for you.
If you have a Defective Car Seat – Contact Us
If you’re looking to replace your carseat because of defective parts or hazard material, contact our office today to speak with one of our Louisville product liability attorneys.