Traveling with a baby adds family fun to any road trip. You’ll open your son, daughter, niece or nephew’s eyes to all of the amazing beauty the world has to offer. So, how do you do it? Well, first you need car seats.
Car Seat Tips for Traveling with Babies
Before you set off on that once in a lifetime road trip with your baby, you want to make sure that he or she will be safe and comfortable. Plus, if you’re renting a car you’re not too familiar with, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. With these tips, you’ll be able to choose the right car seat for whatever car you’ll be driving. Here are six things to take into consideration:
Convertible Car Seat vs. Infant Car Seats
The difference between a convertible car seat and an infant car seat is pretty simple. Convertible car seats are the best option for a growing baby. These car seats usually have a weight limit of 50 pounds or more and can be rear-facing when baby is small or front-facing when baby gets bigger. Remember though, children must be at least 2-years-old to use this type of the car seat. Infant car seats, on the other hand, are for babies under 2. They have an average weight limit of no more than 40 pounds and can only be used in the rear-facing position. Unlike convertible car seats, they are easier to carry and transport in and out the car.
How Big is Your Car?
Whether you’re renting an SUV or a compact car for you trip, you need to make sure you have a car sear that fits properly in the vehicle. Also, be aware of how many other passengers will be riding in the car with you and whether or not they’ll also have car seats. Make sure there’s enough space for your baby to feel comfortable during the ride.
Check the Belt Path
Securing the belt path on the seat belt is important for your baby’s safety. Once the seat belt is properly fastened over the car seat, there should be no more than 1 inch of side-to-side motion at the belt path. To assure this, grab the part of the seat where the belt enters the belt path. You shouldn’t be able to move the see more than one inch. Push the seat side-to-side to check.
Choose a Seat with Two-Piece Retainer Clips
Don’t let your baby or toddler unbuckle themselves and climb out of their seat. Two-piece retainer clips are more difficult for a baby to unfasten which will help keep them safe during your road trip.
Check What Brands and Models have been Recalled
When it comes to your baby, you want to make sure your car seat model is totally safe. Check if the car seat is comfy and easy to clean. he National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a great resource for checking on recalls when you’re looking for the best infant car seat.
Car Rental When Traveling with Babies in Car Seats
Renting car seats with your car rental is sometimes possible, depending on the rental agency. So, check with your rental agency to see if you don’t need to bring your own. The agency will make sure that the rented car seat is suitable for the dynamics of your car rental.
The Best Car Seats to Put in Your Car Rental
If your rental agency doesn’t allow you to rent a car seat, you’ll need to go buy one. If you are new to the car seat game, don’t worry. We’ve provided you with three highly ranked car seats that will keep your baby comfortable and secure. Look for these the next time you head to the department store:
Chicco Keyfit 30
The Chicco Keyfit Car Seat can carry infants from 4 to 30 lbs. It is one of the easiest seats to install in your car rental. The single-pull LATCH tightening operation provides a secure fit for your baby and is simple for parents to use. The ReclineSure® leveling foot and two RideRight® bubble level-indicators even helps you achieve and verify a proper angle for the car seat. The KeyFit 30 is consistently rated high for crash protection and is recommended by many neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses because of its compact design. If you have a small baby, go for this snug and safe car seat.
The GB Asana 35 DLX
Installation is an easy breeze with the GB Asana 35 DLX. The rear-facing infant car seat’s “fit-to-vehicle” design also increases your chances of doing it right the first time. When it comes to safety, the GB Asana 35 DLX excels. Features like the seat’s belt-tightening arm ensure extra security for your baby, and its incorporation of a Fit-Loc™ Load Leg reduces head & neck impact by over 50% in the event of an accident.
The Cybex Aton Q
Cybex Aton Q is an infant car seat for babies under 18 months where safety meets design. The car seat includes a load leg feature to reduce accidents and is highly rated for its easy installation method. When installed with LATCH, the Cybex Aton Q uses its unique tensioning feature to help you get it right. It also helps your baby feel comfortable with its height adjustable headrest.
Rent a Car for Your Road Trip with EasyRentCars
Now that you know how to pick the best car seat for your baby, it’s time to book a car rental. Use EasyRentCars to search, compare and hire cars worldwide. Whichever car rental you choose, follow these tips to make sure that your baby will be safe and sound during your trip. Traveling with babies can be a fun experience for the whole family. After your vacation, you’ll definitely appreciate the memories.
