Infant Car Seat For Travel
A car seat for infants to travel in will save you time and effort. You can use the car seat in taxis and rental cars. Most countries require you to bring an infant car seat.
Doona is a well-known brand that combines a car-seat and stroller into one. It's small enough for airline seats and FAA-approved.
1. Doona
Doona, the latest travel system/car seat to arrive on the market is a mix of both. It's the first infant car that can be converted into a stroller with a press of an button. It comes in various colors and includes a wide variety of accessories. It's also a great choice for families who travel often since it's TUV and FAA approved for aircraft use (though you may have to check the base's gate).
Doona is a superior car seat. Its double wall structure encloses the wheels and adds layers of EPS foam to provide extra protection in an accident. The handle can also function as a head-protecting anti-rebound bar in the case of an accident. The Doona includes a 5-point safety harness that encases your child at their shoulders and hips. These are the most rigid parts of the body, protecting them from the force an collision.
Doona is lightweight and easy-to-maneuver when used as a stroller. Its compact frame makes it easy to move through the aisles of most airlines and can be used in a forward-facing or rearward-facing position. It's also easy to connect to the Doona LATCH base in your car for secure installation.
You should be aware that your child will eventually outgrow Doona. If there's less than 1 inch between their head and the canopy, you'll know your baby is ready to upgrade. As of now, you'll be able to make use of Doona as a stroller or car seat for any journeys or trips you make.
If you're considering purchasing a Doona, we recommend looking around for the best price. You can find Doona in stores such as Nordstrom, Target and Pottery Barn. You can also use gift cards and loyalty points/perks from these retailers to lower the cost.
2. Chicco KeyFit 35
Chicco (pronounced "KEY-ko") is a well known brand that makes strollers, baby car seats and a lot of parents' favourite diaper bags. The company is among the largest manufacturers of infant car seats in the world, and they offer some amazing products that have impressed us during the testing process. They have high crash test ratings and are easy to install and use in a variety car configurations, and are compatible with the best strollers that are available if you use the correct adapters (available separately).
This is our second selection and is a fantastic choice for families that want an easy seat to set up in a variety of ways and pairs well with many of the best strollers available. The KeyFit 35 is a good option for families looking for an easy-to-install seat that can be installed in a variety of ways and works well with a variety of top strollers.
The original Keyfit, KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 are all available in a "ClearTex" version, which is a model that doesn't have any added chemicals that can cause fire (a trend that has been emerging in recent times for products for children as parents become more aware of toxic chemicals required by some car seats to meet federal flammability standards). It's an excellent option for families looking to limit exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in their child's environment.
All KeyFit models come with a variety of unique features that made them stand out in our testing. The base/carrier locking system utilizes both audible and visual signals to ensure that the carrier is properly secured to the base. When the system is working properly, a "click" can be heard. A simple upward tug on the handle of the carrier will verify that the carrier is in the upright position.
The KeyFit 35 has a removable newborn body and head support for babies between 4-11 pounds. It adjusts to the seat, so that it can offer more legroom and headrest height as your child grows. This increases security and comfort for babies who are rear-facing. The base is designed with two stages for secure installation in your vehicle, and for easy transition from toddlerhood to your child when they are ready.
3. Graco SnugRide Stroller
This Graco travel system comes with carseats and a stroller in one package. It is simple to use and is extremely compact when folded. It's a great choice for road trips and vacations! It's an excellent option for moms on the go who don't want to commit much time installing or learning about new gadgets.
The car seat can be attached easily to the frame of the stroller. You can choose to have your baby facing you or the rest of the world. It is a top-rated car seat with outstanding crash test results. If your budget is tight this is a good choice however we suggest you consider a different model if you have flexibility.
This car seat is great because it has a front wheel that swivels and the base is locked into place to stop unexpected stroller moves. It's also nice to know that the LATCH clips are stowed in a compartment at the front of the base, rather than being positioned in a hard-to-access location underneath, where they might be accidentally thrown out of place when you set the car seat down on it.
This infant seat is suitable for infants weighing between 4 and 35 pounds. and up to 32". and up to 32". It is fitted with and up to 32" Lite LATCH system that is easy to install with the included instructions. The seat is small and lightweight, so it fits in the majority of vehicles when facing in the opposite direction to the vehicle's seat belt path. The seat has a headrest which grows with your child, and a harness adjuster that is built into. The shoulder straps offer four possible height positions, and the crotch strap can be adjusted to two height positions. By the time your child weighs 12lbs, it is important to take off all head and body inserts.
We aren't fans of the rethreading technique used to adjust the shoulder straps and crotch straps with this model. It's not too difficult but it's more complicated than other seats which do not require rethreading. The crotch and head belts aren't as deep as other models. This could put your child in the danger of a gap in their crotch during an accident.
4. Baby Trend Trooper
This baby car seat is a favorite choice for families with young babies who want a premium infant car seat that is lightweight and easy to move. It's also compatible with a variety of strollers, making it easier for parents to travel with their children. It's a great choice for parents who often use rideshares or taxis.
This infant car seat was designed to be easy to install with either the car's seat belt or LATCH system. It comes with LATCH connectors that can be pushed on with clear-to-read indicator and a no-twist harness indicator. The seat also features deep side wing protection, which gives extra crash protection to your child. The seat also has a convenient Delta carry handle that serves as an anti-rebound bars in the event of a need.
When you install the seat using the seat belt, you need to ensure that the shoulder strap is at a minimum high as your child's shoulders and that the lap belt isn't too low to fit around your baby's thighs. If the strap for your shoulder is too low, it can be a danger for infants as well as when the lap belt is too high, it can cause your baby to shift in a car ride that is uncomfortable.
Another aspect to be aware of when using this seat is that it comes with special guidelines for crotch buckle routing for newborns. The manual stipulates that the webbing used for the crotch strap must not be inserted in any other slot than the outermost slot for the infant with the smallest. This can be a challenge for some parents and could result in the buckle not being able to fit properly.
Overall, the Trooper is a great option for parents looking for a premium car seat for babies that is easy to transport and can fit 3 across the majority of cars. It's heavier than other alternatives, but it comes with top safety features, as well as stroller compatibility.
If you're looking for a baby car seat that is more affordable, you should consider the Evenflo Pivot Suite LiteMax Stroller and Car Seat Combo. This combo is more affordable than other similar options and offers more convenience and safety for parents on a tight budget.