One of the most important pieces of baby gear you will need is an infant car seat. The purpose of an infant seat is to keep your baby secure and safe while traveling in your vehicle. Infant car seats come in a number of styles and it can be difficult to determine which one you should purchase. Consulting consumer reviews and federal safety rating standards can help you to choose the safest infant seat.
Evenflo Serenade
The Evenflo Serenade is a rear-facing car seat designed for use by infants weighing from 4 5 to 35 lbs and 19 to 32 inches in length. The Serenade features a five-point latching system with an adjustable harness designed to accommodate growing babies. The Serenade received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for installation, child security features and overall ease of use.
The First Years Via
The First Years Via is also a rear-facing infant seat with a five-point latch system. The Via has a lower weight limit and is designed for use by infants weighing no more than 22 lbs. and up to 30 inches in length. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the First Years Via a five-star rating for its instructions, labeling, child safety features, installation and overall ease of use.
Graco Snugride 35
Graco produces some of the most popular infant seats on the market and the Snugride 35 ranks among the safest of its available models. The Graco Snugride 35 is a rear-facing seat that featururing a five-point harness system. It is suited foruse by infants up to 35 lbs. and 32 inches in length. Consumer Search and Parents magazine give the Snugride top ratings and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates it four stars in terms of child safety.
Britax Chaperone
The Britax brand of infant seats are considered a more expensive, high-end product but they also receive some of the best safety ratings. The Britax Chaperone is designed for infants weighing between 4 and 30 lbs. and up to 32 inches in length. According to Parents magazine, the Chaperone is constructed with enhanced side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam built into the seat where the baby's head and torso rest. The NHTSA gives the Chaperone four stars for child safety and ease of use, and five stars for installation.
Baby Trend Flex-Loc
The Baby Trend Flex-Loc is a rear-facing seat designed for babies weighing up to 30 lbs. and up to 30 inches in length. According to Consumer Search, the Baby Trend Flex-Loc is a good choice for heavier or taller babies and it consistently receives high marks in lab test ratings. The NHTSA gives the Flex-Loc four stars for child safety features, ease of use, instructions and labeling, and five stars for ease of installation.
