Infant car seat shopping sure can be a chore. I reviewed several models of seats using the following criteria while shopping for a seat for my niece's baby shower. I figured I might save you some time by sharing my findings with you. Following is a list of things that I used to equally evaluate the seats:
• How much weight will the seat accommodate; and how long can the child be
• Is it easy to use
• What kind of harness system does it have
• Does it clean up easy
• Can it be used with a stroller
My favorite, and actually the seat that I decided to purchase for my niece's baby shower is the Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat. Coming in at least 11 different colors/patterns/designs, I found this to be the seat that would best fit all of the criteria that I had. This ones comes in the Graco SnugRide 30, 32 and 35 models.
Accommodates a Petite Little Girl or a Husky Little Boy!
The Graco SnugRide 32 and 35 models accommodate a baby from 5 pounds to 32 pounds and up to 30" in length. This is a whole 10 pounds more than the Maxi Cosi Infant Car Seat. The SnugRide 30 model accommodates an infant weighing 4 pounds to 30 pounds and measuring up to 30" long.
Ease of Use-A Huge Factor
The Graco Snugride gets good ratings from current owners on ease of use. The seat itself easily snaps into the stay-in-car base which not only saves the back and keeps you from wrestling a huge seat in and out of the car, but it also ensures that the base stays properly secured in the car.
Baby Stays Secure with the 5-point Harness System and Additional Padding
The Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat comes with a 5-point harness system. Studies have shown that the 5-point harness system, which has two over the shoulder straps, two hip straps, and a strap between the legs, is far safer than other harness systems that are installed in competing car seats.
In addition to the harness system, this seat also comes equipped with GracoPedic foam and an infant head support with harness covers. As an added layer of protection, the seat also has EPS energy absorbing foam, which stands for "Expanded Polystyrene", commonly known as Styrofoam. Used in all types of safety equipment, EPS foam has proven to be one of the most reliable and effective impact absorbing materials available
Easy to Clean Inserts and They are Interchangeable!
The Graco Snugride has fully removable inserts so that you can just remove them and toss them into the laundry. Additionally, if you want a change in the liner that is on the infant car seat, Graco has a wide variety of infant car seat covers for you to choose from.
Compatible with Graco Strollers for a Complete Travel System
The Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat is compatible with a wide variety of Graco Stollers so that you can create an entire travel system. I did not find, in my research, where the seat is compatible with other strollers, however.
As an added bonus, I did find that this infant car seat easily and safely fits into a grocery cart so that you can run into the store and just hook the seat on the grocery cart without waking the baby!
