How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your car, has useful features (like changing into the stroller) and is within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat is easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, especially if you are frequently switching between rental cars, taxis or grandparents’ vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to protect your baby and a safe one should include additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded cushions on the head and shoulders as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.

Another important safety consideration is the ease to set up and use the seat. In the ideal scenario, you’ll be able to snap it in place with little effort, and with clear signs that it’s secure, level, and positioned correctly.

There are features that make this easier like belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat with your vehicle’s seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, which may not be tested for safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase an old one, make sure it’s not expired and isn’t being sold by an individual who doesn’t have proof of ownership.

Another thing to keep in your mind is to keep your child in the car seat for a maximum of 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 breathe regularly.

You’ll want a seat that will last for a long time because it’s a major investment. Choose a seat that is designed to grow with your child, which will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. One that our parent testers loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from the time of birth and can be used up to 7 years old.

The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means that you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It is also one of lightest rotating car seat available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It’s the ideal choice for parents who regularly transfer their babies between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent’s homes.

Comfort

It is essential that your baby feels comfortable in their car seat, both while they are in it as well as when you install it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long trips.

The best cheap infant car seats car seats are simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make putting them on without the base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It features an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. You can easily switch your child’s position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parent testers loved for its convenience, comfort and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support the head of your infant car seats on sale, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it transforms into a stroller.

A quality car seat is durable and some come with a warranty. Look for the seat with plenty of padding and strong materials to shield your child from accidents. It should also come with an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy, and a “crumple area” to stop damage from crashes. It is important to keep it clean as accidents are bound to happen with a child. Find car seats that have removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleanup a breeze.

Easy of Use

It’s important that a car seat be simple to install and use, particularly when it is going to be used in different vehicles from time to time. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, an indicator that indicates the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as stress-free as is possible.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric and a cupholder. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable position during longer journeys. It can also be combined with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is perfect if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to set up and adjust. It comes with recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to secure your child. It’s also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the need for tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that allows you to easily get your infant car seat for travel in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful for those who have back issues or drive a car with a small size. It also features a reversible drink holder, and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat is lightweight and can be used without or with the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you have a limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It’s a great option for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium material will also stand the test of time. Be sure to clean the cover frequently as yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a marks.

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they’re used in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seats in favour of a convertible model, most new moms want something that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most versatile, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat once your child is old enough to need one.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to remove from the base with your baby inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, but it offers a lot of safety features and is lightweight (8.4 pounds including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The design of the seat and base should also be taken into consideration. Some car seats have an attached base that is locked into the buckles for the seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were useful for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seats can also be used with a standard seatbelt, but without the base, which is a bonus for parents who frequently take taxis or need to travel with their child. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat.

Also, the design of car seats is vital. It should fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you are looking for a newborn infant car seat that will expand with your child into a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that features a reclined backrest and side impact protection. It’s also important to confirm that the infant car seat is i-Size certified and has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.