Are you looking for the best flame retardant-free infant car seats in 2021? An infant car seat is one of the most important things you can buy before your baby’s arrival and most likely on your baby registry. It is a necessity and should be on the top of your list. Your newborn needs to be in a car seat before you walk out of the hospital, and with so many out on the market, which is the best car seat for infants? There are many things to consider. Safety, toxicity, size, budget, and your way of living. Here, I will explain the different types of flame retardant-free infant car seats out on the market so you get a better idea of what’s best for your family and get peace of mind when it comes to overall safety for your baby.
Why Choose a Flame Retardant-Free Infant Car Seat?
A car seat is an important part of every day travel with your little one and a necessity that your child will come in close contact with during travel. Flame retardant chemicals have been found in car seats by The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff, a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental organization that tests household items for toxic chemicals. These flame retardant chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, and some are linked to cancer. According to The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff, most flame retardant chemicals are not strongly bound to the fabric or foam and become airborne, therefore, it is easier for us to breathe it in, have skin contact with it or even ingest it.
Chemicals Found in Infant Car Seats
All infant car seats contain chemical flame retardants unless wool is used, which is a natural flame retardant. The reason they contain flame retardants is because they have to meet the flammability standard for car interiors for the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302. Unfortunately, chemical flame retardants are used as a cost effective way to meet these standards. These chemicals have been linked to hormone disruption, liver damage, impaired brain development and cancer.
The flame retardants used can contain chlorine or bromine. These two chemicals cannot break down easily in the environment. When coming in contact with these chemicals continuously, it can lead to bioaccumulation, which is the buildup of a substance in people or animals.
Another chemical used is Triphenyl Phosphate(TPHP). This chemical can be eliminated from the body more quickly, but it can accumulate in breast tissues.
Flame Retardant-Free Infant Car Seat Safety
All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet federal safety standards. The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance(OVSC) provides contracted laboratories with Laboratory Test Procedures which serve as guidelines for obtaining compliance test data. This data is used to determine if an item meets minimum requirements for the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. When you purchase your flame retardant-free car seat, make sure you find the label that clearly states that your car seat conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards and is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. If you cannot find that label, it probably was not certified and did not meet federal safety standards.
Flame Retardant-Free Infant Car Seats
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I am excited to say that there are many flame retardant-free infant car seats to choose from. The best way to choose one is to determine which one works best for your family. They all have different features, price ranges and sizes. Here is my top pick for flame retardant-free infant car seats.
UPPAbaby Mesa
The UPPAbaby Mesa has been awarded NHTSA 5-star rating for many of their features. One of them is ease of installation. It has an auto-retracting latch system that tightens effortlessly, minimizing installation error. One thing that I love about this infant car seat is that it has an indicator window that turns from red to green so you can see if it has been installed correctly. Its headrest has side impact protection that is reinforced with EPP foam that provides extra protection for your little one. The headrest is adjustable and very easy to do, and if you’re out and about on a sunny day, the canopy has a UPF(ultraviolet protective factor) of 25+.
Specifications and Features
- UPPAbaby Mesa in colors Henry and Jordan are the only flame retardant-free infant car seats
- Carrier Weight is 9.9 lbs
- Base Weight is 9 lbs
- For infants 4-35 lbs and up to 32″ in height
- Direct attachment to VISTA and CRUZ strollers
- Removable and washable seat fabric
- Two naturally fire resistant options (HENRY and JORDAN MESA) through its innovative use of Merino Wool
Maxi Cosi Mico XP Max Plus
The Maxi Cosi Mico XP Max Infant Car Seat is part of the Pure Cosi line with fabrics that have no added flame retardant chemicals to them. What’s great about these fabrics is that they are machine washable and dryer safe. Another infant car seat that has no added flame retardants is the Mico 30 Infant Car Seat.
Specifications and Features
- Rear facing 4-30 lbs
- Patented Air Protect Side Impact
- Plush Cushioning for extra support
- Contoured Carry Handle
- Anti-rotation stability leg reduces movement for extra protection
- MaxiLock secure locking system with self-retracting one-click LATCH connectors
- Red to green tightness indicators
Nuna Pipa Lite lx + Pipa Series Base
The Nuna Pipa Lite lx infant car seat is a lightweight design made with a Merino wool and TENCEL lyocell fiber and no added chemical flame retardants. It’s lightweight design makes it easier to be out and about to run errands. Doesn’t make grocery shopping too complicated. Another great feature is the Dream Drape that gives your baby full coverage when out in the sun or when sleeping while out in public. This Nuna Pipa Lite lx is Greenguard Gold Certified. This means that this car seat has been tested for stringent emissions standards for over 360 volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and chemical emissions.
Specifications and Features
- Recommended use for 4-32 lbs, and up to 32 in
- Size L27.3 x W17.5 x H22.5 in
- Weight 5.70 lbs (does not include canopy or insert)
- Merino wool and TENCEL lyocell fiber blend
- Flame resistant and no added chemicals
- Aeroflex foam minimizes force transferred to baby by absorbing and diffusing energy
- Steel reinforced True lock base makes installation easy and safe
- Must be instsalled with the PIPA series base
- Five point harness
- FAA ceritified for aircraft when used with base
It is a wonderful feeling knowing that our children can be in a car seat that is safe and free of fire retardant chemicals. I wish there were options back when I had my first child. I honestly didn’t know much about toxic baby products when I was a new mom, but now that I do, I want to share it with you so you can pass it on as well. Which infant car seat do you think will work best for your family?