Infant Car Seats: Graco,Century,Eddie Bauer

Infant car seats are designed for young babies who can't sit up on their own. Most double as infant carriers, providing an easy way to carry baby around. Your baby can watch the action around him, nap, be fed, rocked, or toted around by mom in these lightweight carriers. While many seats adapt easily to shopping carts, this should be done with great care as not all shopping carts and car seats are compatible and the potential for a child falling out of the cart is real. The seats are usually freestanding or come with a stationary base that can remain in the car, thus avoiding the need for you to re buckle your child every time you get in or out of the car.

Infant car seats are to be used from birth to around 22 lbs. (typically up until 5 to 9 months old) and are only to be used with baby facing the rear of the car. This provides protection for the baby's neck and spine from injury in an accident or if the car stops suddenly.

The single most important aspect of a infant car seat is how well it performs under crash tests. Weight limits vary slightly by car seat and manufacturer; so be sure to check the literature that comes with the seat. As a general rule your child should ride rear facing until they are at least one year old and twenty pounds in weight.

Our reviews on Best Infant Car seats.

Graco SnugRide
This model is light-weight and easy to use. It features a 5 point harness, with an adjustable base. Strap levels are easily changed to adjust to your growing baby. The Graco SnugRide infant seat is suitable for babies up to 20 lbs or 26 inches. Its many features and secure design make this seat one of our top selections. Like all Graco seats, the SnugRide comes with their patented level indicator to ensure proper installation. The harness is adjustable from the front and most parents found that the seat easily clicks in and out of the base. The canopy rotates 180 degrees, which is great when you want to monitor the amount of sunlight that your baby's eyes absorb.

Ferrari Dreamway
High Back Booster
Car Seat
~~List Price: $129.00~~
Your Price $117.00

The padding is ample and the seat is quite roomy. While the seat is heavier than some other models, the padded handle makes it comfortable to carry. There are three different levels for the harness straps to be threaded through so you can adjust the seat as your child grows (up to 26 inches). The seat comes with infant head support which is basically a neck roll that is built into the seat, but can be removed when your baby is a little older. The Graco SnugRide DX5 is compatible with their strollers and will snap in to most of them to allow you to use it as a travel system.

Viva Car Seat
and Base
~~List Price: $119.00~~
Your Price: $109.00

Evenflo PortAbout
This also has a 5 point harness and adjustable straps for baby. It also doubles as a carrier.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggo
A 5 point harness, deluxe adjustable hood, and washable pads are just some of the features of this car seat. Also includes a base and multiple color/design choices.

Britax Companion
A great car seat that is well rated for safety and comfort. It comes with a base, head rest built in as well as a hood. The removable padding which is comfort for your baby from newborn up. The base is easy to install and the car seat goes in and comes out easily. The car seat itself is heavy. While this may lead to safety it does make it more difficult to lug baby around in. This hasn't stopped parents from dragging a sleeping baby around yet, but it's worth knowing. The built in hood keeps the sun and other elements off the baby. The five point harness is easily adjusted to fit your baby.

Evenflo On My Way Position Right
This model is an updated version of their very popular On My Way infant car seat. Evenflo has added an angle indicator onto the base which allows you to adjust the base's fit, ensuring a snug installation in many different types of vehicles. The ergonomic "Carry Right" handle ensures that when you hold the seat on your side, you will not have to endure constant bruises from the bucket banging into your leg. It also makes carrying the seat easier on your wrists. The seat can be installed and removed easily and it has a retractable canopy to keep your child shaded comfortably. This particular model has a five point harness system which we highly recommend. Keep in mind when you are shopping that the On My Way Position Right is also offered with a three point harness system so make sure you know what you are buying.

Fisher Price Stay-In-View
This infant seat has several unique features that we really like. The seat is offered with both a five point and three point harness and both models come with a sunshade canopy. One of the features that set this seat apart is the padded carry handle. They have replaced the hard plastic handle with one that is soft and can be worn over the shoulder. The new design allows you to carry the seat in front of you instead of at your side. Another plus is that you no longer have to worry about whether or not you remembered to put the handle down when you installed it in the car (keeping the handle up could cause severe injuries in an accident) because it just falls to the side. The seat can be used until your infant reaches 20 lbs. The base has a built in mirror that allows you to see your child in your rear view mirror. One word of caution, you may spend too much time gazing at your little bundle instead of watching the road!

Ferrari Ola No Back
Booster Car Seat
~~List Price: $49.00~~
Your Price: $42.00