How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into a stroller) and fits within your budget. It's also worth checking that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car without difficulty, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in hire cars and grandparents vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe and a safe one should include extra features beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts on the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.

Another crucial safety aspect is how easy it is to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.

Find features that allow you to do this, such as built-in lock offs and belt guides that can help you line up the car seat with the vehicle's seatbelt. Also, you should avoid buying used car seats, which might not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not be safe for your child. If you must purchase a used car seat, ensure that it is not expired. an expiration date and that the seller isn't an individual who has no proof of ownership.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless they are lying down in a supine position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they are able to breath regularly.

You'll want a seat that will last for a long time as it is a significant investment. Choose a seat that is designed to grow with your child and will last into toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth, and can be used up to age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees that means you can switch it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest car seats that rotate on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's the perfect option for parents who often transfer their children between cars or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's homes.

Comfort

It is essential that your child is at ease in their car seat, both in it and when you install it. Look for padded straps which fit comfortably around their shoulders, and for plush fabric that feels good beneath their stomachs. This is crucial if you plan to use the seat for a long duration.

The best infant car seat is also easy to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make putting them on without the base much easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the headrest and harness height that is essential as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers scored 10/10 for its ease of use. It has a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. You can easily switch your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our parent testers loved it for its ease of use and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padding for the headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your infant, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max height or weight limit, and it converts into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A quality car seat is durable, and some have a warranty. Choose the seat with plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any injuries. It should also have a steel frame to absorb impact energy as well as an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is also easy to clean as spills are commonplace with a baby. Find car seats that have removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.

User-Friendliness

A car seats by age seat needs to be simple to install and use particularly if you're likely to be using it in the same vehicle at times. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, an indicator that shows the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as simple as is possible.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a variety of useful extras that our parents testers loved, including the headrest and harness that are padded as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer trips. It can be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is a great option for those who plan to travel for a long duration.

Our panelists noted that the car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with recline locks as well as an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the use of tools.

The recline feature allows you to get your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful for those who have back pain or have a small car. It also has the ability to change the drink holder and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be set up with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which could be a real lifesaver if you have a limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-end fabric will also stand the test time. Don't forget to wash the cover often as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents opt to ditch the baby car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers are looking for something that can grow with their child into toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat that allows you to change between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height restriction and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

An ideal infant car seat newborn car seat is lightweight, making it easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is super light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards best car seats Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, like the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and seat must also be considered. Certain car seats have an attached base that is locked into the vehicle buckles for seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when properly attached. Parents found these convenient, especially if their car only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Certain infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their babies. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it simple to get your child into and out of the seat.

The design of the car seat is crucial. It must fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat that will grow with your baby into a booster, look for one that has a reclining headrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that the rotating infant car seat car seat is iSize certified and has the proper car seat attachment points as per UK law.