How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The most suitable car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like making it strollers) and works with your budget. It’s also worth checking that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car without difficulty especially if you frequently shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.

Safety

A high-quality car seat will come with additional features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact protection.

Easy installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.

Find features that help you do this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that can help you 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 may not be safe for your child. If you must buy a used one be sure that it has an expiration date and isn’t being sold by an individual who does not have proof of ownership.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you should only leave your child in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless it’s in a flat position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they get a chance to breath regularly.

Selecting a car seat for your infant is a major investment, so you’ll want to be sure it has a long lifespan. Look for one that’s designed to adapt with your child, which will last through 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 is able to be used up to age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a long time. It rotates 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It is also one of most light-weight car seats available, weighing less than nine pounds. It’s a great choice for parents who regularly move their children between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent’s houses.

Comfort

It is crucial that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both in it and after you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable under their tummy. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long period of time.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that come with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make putting them on without the base easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the headrest and harness height which is crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave a 10/10 for ease of use. It features a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This means that you can change between forward and rear-facing positions as your child grows without needing to remove the seat and replace it.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its comfort, ease of use and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support your baby’s head and includes a soft infant car seats uk pillow to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit. It then converts to an infant stroller.

A quality car seat is durable and many come with a warranty. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any accidents. It should also come with steel frames to absorb the force of impact and an “crumple area” to stop damage from crashes. It is also easy to clean, since messiness is inevitable when you have a baby. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

Ease of Use

It’s important that a car seat be simple to install and use, especially in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles periodically. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, a gauge that displays the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as stress-free as possible.

The best car seats newborn of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers loved, including an padded headrest and padded harness, plush fabric and a cup holder. It also features a recline feature that allows your baby to sit in an ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create an entire travel system which is perfect if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.

It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat to be easy to put in and adjust. It has recline locks as well as an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This makes 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 reclining feature makes it easier for you to take your baby out and into the vehicle. This is especially helpful when you are suffering from back pain or have a smaller vehicle. It also has the ability to change the drink holder as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat is light and can be used with or without the base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic option if you’re limited in space or have back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

This is a great option for those who want to transform their car seats into strollers at an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-end fabric will also stand the test time. Just don’t forget to wash your cover regularly, as squashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident are sure to leave a footprints!

Design

The styles of car seats are as diverse as the cars they’re placed in. Some parents opt to not use an baby car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that can expand with their child through the toddler years. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that lets you switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height restriction and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight baby car seat and easy to take off the base with your child inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, but it has a number of safety features and is light (8.4 pounds, including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to high-end features like the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.

The design of the seat and base must also be taken into consideration. Some car seats come with an attached base that is locked into the buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when correctly attached. These were convenient for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seat that swivels car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt that is not base-less, which is a bonus for parents who often take taxis or need to travel with their infant car seat swivel. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without the base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it simple to get your baby out and in the seat.

Other important considerations for design are whether a car seat has a flat design, and how it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you’re looking for a car seat that will grow with your baby into a booster, look for one with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. It’s also important to confirm that the infant car seat is iSize compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points according to UK law.