How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborn car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your car, has useful features (like turning into strollers) and fits within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat can be easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, particularly when you're constantly switching between taxis, rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A good car seat comes with extra features that are above the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot car and side-impact safety.

Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, you should be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort, and with clear signs that it's secure and level, as well as positioned correctly.

Look for features that make it easier to do that, like built-in locks and belt guides that can help to align the car seat to the vehicle's seat belt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you have to buy an old car seat, ensure that it is not expired. an expiration date and that the seller isn't an individual or a private party who has no evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is to only leave your infant car seat that swivels in the car seat for a maximum of 2 hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This is to prevent the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

Choosing an infant car seat is a significant investment, therefore you'll need to make sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Select a seat that will grow with your child and last from toddlerhood to teen years. Our testers for parents were satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used up to age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is an additional option that you can use for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means that you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest car seats that rotate available and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's the ideal choice for parents who frequently transfer their children between cars or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your baby both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Find straps that are padded to fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomachs. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long duration.

The best infant car seat travel car seats are also simple to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some come with spring-loaded leveling legs as well as belt paths to make installation without a base easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the headrest and harness height that is essential as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good infant car seats example. Our parent testers scored it a 10 out of 10. It features a clear, simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicator. This means that you can change between forward and rear-facing positions as your baby grows without needing to remove the seat and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our parent testers were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padding for the headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your baby, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it transforms into an infant stroller.

A quality car seat will last and some have a warranty. Choose a seat made of robust materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your child from any injuries, as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It is also easy to clean, since messes are inevitable with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Simple to Use

A car seat should be easy to use and install particularly if you're likely to be using it in the same vehicle at least once in a while. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, a gauge that displays the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as easy as possible.

The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of practical extras that our parent testers loved, such as the headrest and harness that are padded with a plush material and a cup holder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable position for longer trips. It can be combined with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is a great option for those who plan to travel for a long time.

The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat easy to install and adjust. It features recline locks as well as an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

The reclining feature allows you to carry your child into and out of the vehicle. This is particularly useful if you suffer from back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also has a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which could be a real lifesaver if you are in a tight space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature, which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is a great choice for those looking to transform their car seats into strollers at affordable prices. Its sleek design and premium fabric will endure the test of time also. Be sure to wash your cover often, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the odd sick toddler accident will be certain to leave a mark!

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the cars they're installed in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seats in favour of convertible models, most new mothers want a seat that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat that allows you to change between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

A great car seat for your infant newborn car seat is light and easy to lift it from the base and carry with your child. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but has a lot of safety features and is incredibly light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ category, thanks to top-of-the-line features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The base and seat design should be considered as well. Some car seats come with an attached base that is locked into the buckles for the seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when properly attached. These were useful for parents, especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant carrier seat car seats can also be used with a standard seatbelt without the base, which is a bonus for parents who frequently use taxis or travel with their infant. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without the base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it simple to get your baby out and in the seat.

The design of the car seat is crucial. It must fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that can develop with your baby until an adult, select one with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure that the infant car seat you select is iSize compatible, and that it uses the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.