Car Seats for Infants
Infants have peculiar needs when it comes to comfort and protection when on the road, and car seats play an important part in keeping your child safe. Just like how you want comfort during a long drive, I’m sure your child would also want a snug and cozy seat for him/her whenever you’re both bound for heavy traffic. Maybe we adults need a snug and cozy car seat for ourselves as well?
Why do we need car seats for infants?
Car seats do not only provide comfort for your child, but also a sense of security that they will be protected in case of an accident. Infants, in particular, need a lot more attention in terms of safety as they can easily get thrown off their seat due to their lightweight. Small accidents like these may seem minor, but they can mean long-term injuries for your child. Seatbelts aren’t enough and don’t secure your child well, so you’d best consider investing in a car seat. You’d probably still use the car seat until your child grows up, in case s/he is a little mischievous rascal that moves around whenever you drive.
How do we choose the right car seat for our child?
There are a lot of car seats available in the market, and choosing the right one can be difficult especially if it’s your first time buying one. But don’t worry as we’re here to guide you and provide you with honest, useful, and comprehensive insights and reviews on the best car seat for 7-month-old baby. In this article, we’ll be comparing the commonly bought and recommended car seats for your 7-month-old child based on the following categories:
- Comfort
- Protection
- Value for money
- Long-term use
- Completeness of features
We’ll also be discussing the pros and cons of each car seat under each category so that you know what product fits your needs and the needs of your infant.
Product Features
One Seat Fits All: Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 Review
| Product Dimension (in inches) | 28 x 18.7 x 15.6 |
| Weight of Car Seat (in pounds) | 7.5 |
| Weight Capacity (in pounds) | 35 |
| Other features | · Rear-facing car seat · Adjustable five-point harness · Lock-on clicking sound · Level indicator · Hassle-free installation · Attachable to stroller |
| Price | ££ |
Graco is a brand tried, tested, and trusted by many due to the perceived quality that they offer when it comes to their car seats. Products made are all crash tested and created to meet the required safety standards for children.
On top of their product line is the SnugRide Click Connect 35 that’s fit for infants up to early toddlers. Aside from being able to rear-face up to 35 pounds, this lightweight car seat is also easily attached to any Graco stroller, adding accessibility to the comfort and security provided.
| PROS · Accessible due to Click Connect, fits nicely in the car and stroller · Lightweight with adjustable straps for ease of use · Crash tested and compliant with safety standards · Reasonable price for the quality and capacity offered · Durable exterior parts | CONS · Canopy is a bit short · Infants might not always fit snuggly to the car seat, and not enough cushioning · Not completely ergonomic in terms of design · Parts suffer from wear and tear after a few months · Lack of head support |
If it’s your first time buying a car seat, then you’d best consider the SnugRide Click Connect 35 as an initial all-around car seat for your infant. Aside from being a durable and lightweight car seat, the Click Connect allows the car seat to be attached to a stroller. Moreover, the quality and protection that the SnugRide Click Connect 35 offers are tried and tested with a capacity of up to 35lbs while rear-facing.
The downside, however, is that there are a few inconveniences that come at the cost of having a sturdy body. You might have to spend a little bit more if you want to make sure that your child is comfortably tucked in the car seat. Also be prepared to spend a little bit more when it comes to head support and a few additional cushions for added comfort. While these downsides may be minor, those that want the best for their child will find a few faults in the design of this product.
Overall, you can safely rely on the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 to meet your safety needs. Its downside can easily be resolved by adding a few accessories to your car seat to make your child’s ride a lot more comfortable. At the end of the day, your investment in this car seat is well spent as it is certified to be able to protect your 7-month-old baby in case of an accident.
| Comfort | 3.5 |
| Protection | 5 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 |
| Long-term use | 3 |
| Completeness of features | 4.5 |
| OVERALL RATING | 4.1 |
Snugs Right in your Budget: Evenflo LiteMax 35 Review
| Product Dimension (in inches) | 18.3 x 17.8 x 30 |
| Weight of Car Seat (in pounds) | 16 |
| Weight Capacity (in pounds) | 35 |
| Other features | · Detachable base · Reclining seat indicator · Adjustable harness · Belt Lock-Off · Removable head pillow |
| Price | £ |
Evenflo is a new competitor in the market that offers a cheaper price for equal if not better quality than its competition. While not as established as other brands involved in baby products, Evenflo is slowly innovating its way to meet the changing needs of customers in terms of safety, accessibility, and comfort.
The LiteMax 35 is proof that a cheaper alternative is possible for customers to choose from. This product is Rollover Tested to secure its quality in case of an accident. Plus, its overall design is made to add accessibility in transporting your child.
| PROS · Soft and comfortable fabric · Interior snuggly fits the infant · Easily attachable belt lock · Certification for Crash Test Standards | CONS · A little bit heavier than most car seats · Larger dimension with narrower seat width · Short canopy · No clicking sound on lock |
If you’re on a tight budget but you want to ensure the safety of your child, then the Evenflo LiteMax 35 is the perfect solution for your needs. The LiteMax 35 is a cheaper alternative to most car seats without sacrificing the quality and protection your infant needs. Its rear-facing capacity can reach up to 35lbs and accommodate infants up to 32 inches in height. Moreover, its fabric is soft and can keep your child comfortable on a long trip.
However, the greatest downside of the LiteMax 35 would be its bulkier weight and design. This is compensated by a longer handle, but can still be problematic when it comes to attaching the car seat to things such as strollers and grocery carts.
All in all, despite the LiteMax 35 having a few downsides and a lack of impressive features, it is still a solid choice for anyone needing a budget car seat that offers uncompromised protection for your infant. This is the perfect bang for your buck in terms of comfort and protection for your 7-month-old baby.
| Comfort | 4 |
| Protection | 4.5 |
| Value for Money | 5 |
| Long-term use | 4 |
| Completeness of features | 4 |
| OVERALL RATING | 4.3 |
Cozy and Comfortable: Chicco Keyfit 30 Magic Review
| Product Dimension (in inches) | 28.4 x 17.3 x 15.5 |
| Weight of Car Seat (in pounds) | 21.15 |
| Weight Capacity (in pounds) | 30 |
| Other features | · One-pull Latch tightener · Extendable mesh panel · 5-point harness · All-Weather Boot |
| Price | £££ |
Chicco is a brand that truly focuses on the needs of new-born babies, infants, and toddlers alike. You can definitely see how their features focus on adding comfort to your child while s/he is seated. No matter how rough the weather is or how heavy traffic can be, you’re assured that your child can sleep soundly in his/her very own car seat.
The Keyfit 30 Magic proves that for just a few more bucks spent, your child can get the premium comfort and protection s/he deserves. Those few extra cushions and added ventilation can make or break the cozy sleep your child needs.
| PROS · Added cushion and ventilation for comfort · Easy to adjust canopy · One-handed removal of base and accommodates cars without Latch · Meets the Safety Standards for Child Restraint Systems · Compatible with Chicco strollers | CONS · Heavier than most car seats · Rough parts near the shoulder, strap, and fabric · Can be a bit stuffed at times · Capacity of only 30lbs rear-facing · Design does not fit some grocery carts
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If you’re not much on a tight budget and can afford to spend a few more bucks for added comfort and accessibility, then you should definitely consider the Chicco Keyfit 30 Magic. The added comfort and ease of use that this car seat offers can reduce the stress and hassle involving moving your infant around after a long drive. Plus, securing and locking the car seat in place is as easy as one simple pull.
The downside, however, is that the Keyfit 30 Magic is significantly heavier than most car seats. Also, while its interior offers added quality through cushions and ventilation, there are some rough parts around the padding which can cause scratches and discomfort to your child.
Much is expected from the Keyfit 30 Magic with its added comfort and design; however, there are a few minor inconveniences that cause the magic to dissipate. Those looking for a trusted and comfortable brand should still try the Keyfit 30 Magic but do take note of the minor inconveniences you might have to address.
| Comfort | 3.5 |
| Protection | 4.5 |
| Value for Money | 4 |
| Long-term use | 4.5 |
| Completeness of features | 5 |
| OVERALL RATING | 4.3 |
Head-to-Head Comparison and Analysis
There isn’t much difference between the scores of the Keyfit 30 Magic, LiteMax 35, and SnugRide Click Connect 35. Here are a few things to take note regarding their head-to-head comparison for the best car seat for a 7-month-old baby:
- In terms of comfort, the LiteMax 35 offers its soft fabric that can help your 7-month-old baby rest well with ease. Other car seats do not take care of the skin of your infant as well as the fabric that LiteMax 35 provides.
- For protection, the SnugRide Click Connect 35 is considered more durable due to the several car crash tests it has gone through. However, all three car seats have passed safety standards when it comes to protection.
- Value for Money goes to the LiteMax 35 for being the cheapest alternative in the market despite not having any notable features.
- Long-term use goes to the Keyfit 30 Magic given how durable its parts are. You could even use it for your next two children.
- Completeness of features goes to the Keyfit 30 Magic as it offers added features that help adapt to the weather and add ventilation for your child.
Despite having not many notable features and simply sticking to the basics, the best car seat for your 7-month old baby is the LiteMax 35 simply because it addresses the problems which the Keyfit 30 Magic – a pricier car seat – does not resolve. Comfort and protection are definitely the top categories to consider when buying a car seat for your infant, and the soft fabric that the LiteMax 35 uses is a simple but effective solution to your infant’s needs.
That said, the pricier Keyfit 30 Magic may not be as good in giving comfort to your child, but it offers a lot of features that will help ease your use of the car seat in terms of installation and removal. Too bad, a few problems regarding the rough texture of the interior exist for this product. For first-time purchasers, the SnugRide Click Connect 35 is one of the friendlier car seats as it offers a solid set of features for your needs. But all in all the LiteMax 35 is your best bet for the perfect value for your money without any compromise.
