Do your palms ever start to sweat when you think about taking out your child's car seat because you know you'll have to put it back in at some point? Ever hear your husband sigh loudly when you ask him to help you get the car seat into the backseat, because he knows what a process it is? Ever want to screech in frustration when you can't get your latch straps to tighten on your infant car seat and it makes you rethink ever removing the thing in the first place?!
We've all been there, mama. But we don't have to! Infant car seats don't have to be a pain to install, and in fact, the easier the install on the car seat, the more likely you are to install it correctly every time. Turns out the majority of parents struggle to get a perfect install on their car seats, and that minimizes the car seat's safety and puts your child at risk. So with tons of different options, how do you make sure that you're not going to get stuck with a seat that is impossible to install. We've put together a list of the 3 easiest infant car seats to install to make sure that your babe is safe and make sure you stay sane.#1: UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seat
The Mesa is the seat that is going to take the questions out of installing your car seat! UPPAbaby set out to make sure that parents get the correct install every time they put in the seat, so the Mesa features self-retracting LATCH and the level indicators turn green to let you know when you have a good install! You can purchase the Mesa in the following styles:
The easy-to-install seat (check out our video to see it in action) also has the convenience of a no re-thread harness for when babe starts to grow, and has a one-handed release from the base and stroller-- just push the button on the top of the handle, and you're good to go. The UPPAbaby Mesa is truly the seat to get in and out quickly and safely!
#2: Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat or Britax B-Safe 35 Car Seat
Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat - Papyrus
It's a tie for our #2 pick between the Keyfit and the B-Safe. These two car seats are incredibly similar as far as the install is concerned. When you're installing the base and using the latch system, you'll use the one-handed cinch to pull tight, and both bases also include a seatbelt lock for added safety. Both Chicco and Britax mark the install features--orange for Chicco, red for Britax, which makes it super easy for parents so you're not searching around for where to pull or what to push!
The Keyfit 30 and the B-Safe 35 are the same price, around 10 pounds, have a nice wide carrying handle to make it easier on your arm, and exceed safety standards set for infant car seats. What's not to like? For the Britax, you'll have to purchase an infant insert separately (comes included with the Chicco), or upgrade to the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite car seat, so that's something to keep in mind when purchasing.
#3: Nuna Pipa Car Seat with Base Set
Last, but not least, is the Pipa which offers you the ease of install along with a lot of great convenience features that make it even easier to use. The Nuna Pipa features a rigid LATCH system, which reduces the risk for twisting tethers in the event of a crash, plus it means you won't be tightening a tether! If you're traveling with the seatbelt option, you can also use the European belt path that keeps the seat in place and properly installed when you're not using LATCH. You have a few options to choose from:
Nuna Pipa Car Seat with Base Set - Graphite
- Night
- Graphite
- Indigo
- Suited
Nuna has also upped the safety by including a pull-out stabilizing bar designed to sit on the floor of the car and keep the seat in place. It's also super lightweight, and comes with a built-in dream canopy so that your babe can sleep safe and sound no matter where you're headed!
1 comment
so i think that the doona is honestly the easiest carseat to install well for infant seats so when my daughter was born in 2011 i used chicco with her it worked great then she got pregnant in 2022 at 11 so we got the doona when she was 7 montsh pregnant and got it installed the day before she gave birth