How to Choose an Infant Car Seat: The Complete Guide
Safety ratings, ease of installation, and compatibility with strollers all matter. Here is everything new parents need to know.
How to Choose an Infant Car Seat: The Complete Guide
An infant car seat is the first piece of baby gear you will use and arguably the most important. Every seat sold in the US meets federal safety standards, but they vary significantly in ease of installation, carrier weight, and stroller compatibility.
Rear-Facing Only vs Convertible
Infant car seats are rear-facing carriers that click into a base and can be carried with a handle. They work from birth to around 30 to 35 pounds. Convertible car seats stay in the car and transition from rear-facing to forward-facing. Most families start with an infant seat for the carrier convenience and switch to a convertible around 12 months.
Safety Considerations
All car seats meet the same federal crash test standards. Beyond that baseline, look for seats with easy-to-adjust harness straps, no-rethread harness systems, and clear level indicators. The safest seat is the one installed correctly, so prioritize ease of installation over premium branding.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Nuna PIPA Urbn
The PIPA Urbn installs without a base using a built-in rigid LATCH system. This makes it ideal for families using ride shares, taxis, or multiple vehicles. At 8 pounds, it is one of the lightest carriers available. It pairs with most major stroller brands.
Best Value: Chicco KeyFit 35
The KeyFit has been a parent favorite for years because it installs correctly almost every time. The spring-assisted leveling foot and bubble level indicators take the guesswork out of installation. At under 200 dollars, it delivers excellent value.
Best for Travel: Doona Infant Car Seat
The Doona transforms from a car seat into a stroller with integrated wheels. It eliminates the need to carry both a seat and stroller through airports and is FAA approved for airplane use.
Installation Tips
Use either LATCH anchors or the seatbelt method, never both simultaneously. The seat should not move more than one inch side to side at the belt path. Have your installation checked at a local fire station or car seat inspection event for free.
Compatibility
Check that your chosen car seat is compatible with your stroller using the manufacturer’s adapter chart. Travel systems that include a matching stroller and car seat guarantee compatibility but limit your choices.