There are many different types of baby car seats available to buy. Before you source one of these products, it is important to understand the different benefits and disadvantages of each design, allowing you to make an informed decision. This article will outline the ten best baby car seats that you should know. Many of them will be familiar, as you will have probably seen them before. The reason for this is that they are bought by people all over the world and are needed by parents throughout their baby’s childhood. Learn about newborn baby car seats, adjustable ones, types that can rotate and even ones that are designed to fit in strollers, helping you to find out the types that appeal most to you. The type of use that a parent wishes to have out of the car seat will also play a role when sourcing the best type of product. By the time you have finished reading this piece, you will have a great understanding of a wide range of baby car seats, which will give you a strong idea of the ones that you prefer. From here, it is the fun bit… shopping!
1. Baby car seats for newborns
These are one of the best baby car seats, as well as being one of the most purchased. The reason for this is that the majority of parents buy a car sear before their child is born, or shortly after. As well as being bought by parents, these are a common present for expectant parents, whether it is from friends, family members, or even as a baby shower gift. They are bought so early on in a baby’s life because they are an essential purchase for anybody that wants to bring their child in a vehicle. As an example, in most countries, it is illegal to even take a baby home from the hospital without having a safe baby car seat for them to travel in.
This design of car seat is specifically created to protect small babies in cars. They strap into vehicles using seat belts and hold the baby in place comfortably. They have padding and are made to hold the baby in a safe position while they are in the vehicle, meaning they are less likely to cry, as well as being safe in the case of a car accident.
2. Adjustable baby car seats
An adjustable car seat is another one of the most popular types of baby products. This is due to the fact that children grow very quickly, but an adjustable option is able to remain comfortable and safe, even as they get bigger. The main benefit of this is that it is a cost effective car seat, being able to be used for many years, due to the adjustments that can be made.
Different products have different levels of adjustability. Some have head rests that can be lifted higher, while others have safety straps that can be lengthened. In other designs, full back rests can be lifted up or made shorter, as well as side protection being able to move outwards to make the space wider. Typically, the more parts of the baby seat that are able to become larger or smaller, the more suitable it is for a wide range of ages and the longer it can be used for.
3. 360 degree rotating car seats
These car seats are made so that they can be turned around safely to face any angle. This makes them a great purchase for newborn babies and older babies, as well as in countries that allow either front facing or backwards facing car seats.
There are many benefits of having a rotating car seat. As well as being versatile, they can also be used for different purposes. As an example, if you are waiting in the car, it is possible for a parent to sit in the back of the car with their baby. They can turn the seat sideways so the baby can see them and lock it in place, keeping them entertained or even feeding them while they stay in their car seat. It makes these a great seat to keep the baby in a comfortable position, even when stationary.
4. Safety car seats
Safety car seats are the best baby car seats. This term is usually used for every type of car seat, but it’s been mentioned here because it is essential to consider this point. Often, these are backwards facing seats because this prevents as many injuries as possible to babies in the case of a car accident. Safety car seats are made to hold the baby comfortably and safely in place, making sure that they have enough room to move, without being in any danger.
5. Car seats with Isofix bases
An Isofix car seat base is designed to plug into the correct parts of the car, meaning they do not need to be held in by belts. This clever design is made to keep babies safe while removing the hassle of having to clip in belts every time you get a baby in or out of their car seat. They simply slide into the attachments in the car, giving you peace of mind that they will stay attached.
These car seats also have a support leg or top tether, which hold the seat in place and make sure it cannot tip if there is a car accident. Combined with their safe plug-in system, this combined convenience, ease and safety, making them one of the most popular options.
6. Baby seats that attach to strollers
Some baby seats come as part of a set, being able to attach to strollers, as well as being easily removable. These simplify any kind of travel, making it quick to clip them safely into strollers at the end of any car journey.
The main reason that these are one of the best baby car seats available is that it means babies can stay in the same seat while being transferred in and out of vehicles, or even going on a walk. If they are asleep, parents can keep them in their seat, removing it from the car to push them around in a stroller, meaning they can remain asleep and comfortable which keeps both babies and parents happy and relaxed. It also saves time needing to buckle and unbuckle babies every time they need to get out of the car, saving plenty of effort.
The final reason that this design is so popular is that it means parents need less large items in the home. If you do not have a baby seat that can attach to multiple devices and be used in different situations, you end up with completely separate car seats, carry seats and strollers, costing lots of money as well as taking up lots of storage space. Ones that attach to strollers therefore save money.
7. Booster seats
These are one of the best baby car seats for older babies. Giving lumbar support, they lift young children up higher in the car, enabling them to be strapped in safely as well as helping them to see out of the window better. This improves safety as it makes sure they will be protected in the case of a car accident, as the straps are in the correct positions on their bodies to hold them in place when required. In addition to this, it improves comfort, meaning long car journeys are no problem and children enjoy any distance of trip.
8. Baby car seats with a hood
A baby car seat with a hood is a great idea for parents that want to provide extra comfort for their babies. It helps children to sleep in the car as the hood can be pulled down to create shade, keeping them out of the sunshine while making it darker and cooler, to help them stay asleep for longer. This is a great addition for parents who want peaceful travel.
The hood is not a nuisance as it can be rolled back up and stored out of the way, making it appear no different to a regular seat and giving no shade if this is preferred. The main reason that many parents purchase this type of car seat is that it gives the option for shade, as well as having no negative impact on the functionality of the seat.
9. Car seats with a handle
One of the biggest challenges with car seats is that they can be difficult to carry in and out of cars, particularly if you are in a tight parking space and do not have much room. The solution to this is a car seat with a handle. As one of the best baby car seats, these make it easy to pick up the entire seat once a car journey is over and carry it out of the car, as well as making it quick to get into the house or any other building without needing a stroller. Most car seats with handles allow parents to move the handle out of the way, so they do not complicate getting the baby in or out of the seat safely. Then, when you are ready to carry the baby to or from the car, you simple pull the handle across, lift it and go wherever you want while your baby stays relaxed in the seat.
10. Forward facing car seats
These types of car seats are often designed differently to most others. They keep the baby at a comfortable angle and in a safe position while they face forwards in the car. It is worth checking the laws in the country that you live in before choosing a forward facing car seat, as many countries do not allow these to be used for young babies.
This design means young children are able to see forwards out of the car, which can help with things like motion sickness, as well as keeping them entertained during long journeys. As with all car seats, these are made to protect the baby in the case of a car crash, holding them in place with the harness as well as cushioning them and preventing injuries.
Points to consider
As you will now understand, there are many different types of baby car seats, and each has unique reasons that they make a great purchase. The main point to understand is that the priority should always be safety. Regardless of the additional features that you choose, the best baby car seats will make sure the baby is fully protected in any situation.
Look for safety seats, as well as certifications, reviews and instructions to understand the ways that each car seat works to keep the baby safe. There will be many points that are outlined, such as care instructions, the length of time they last for, the size of babies that can fit in them and much more. All of this should be taken into account when choosing. By taking the time to understand this, you can be confident that you are making a wise purchase and that parents will feel relaxed while they travel with their babies.
Summary
Now you understand some of the best baby car seats that can be bought, it’s important to understand the ones that suit your needs best. Use the positives and negatives of each type to choose the one you like most, carrying out additional research if needed. From here, you should understand the types of car seats that you want to source, meaning you have done most of the hard work. Remember to use the above points for consideration to make sure the choice you make is suitable. The next step is to begin looking at potential car seats to buy. Sites such as Made-in-china.com are great for finding inspiration and comparing different models of car seats, as well as looking at options that can be purchased. All that’s left to do now is to get shopping and find the perfect car seats that you would like to buy.
