How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The
best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, has convenient extras (like making it strollers) 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 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 beyond the safety standards of the federal government. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact safety.
Easy installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. In the ideal scenario, you'll be capable of snapping it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's secure in its place, level, and placed properly.
There are features that can help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they may not be crash-tested or have been in an accident and might not protect your child. If you have to purchase an old one ensure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.
It is also important to remember that you should only leave your child in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless it's in an upright position. This is to reduce the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat to last for a long time since it's an important investment. Find one that's designed to grow with your child that will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our parent testers were very 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 a second option that you can use for a lengthy period of time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means you can switch it from rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest rotating car seat available, weighing less than nine pounds. It's an excellent choice for parents who transfer their
portable infant car seat frequently between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your child, both in the seat and when you install it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.
The best infant car seats are also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some also have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is important as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our testers from our parent company gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It has a simple, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows without needing to take the seat off and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parent testers loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Its padding for the headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your newborn and comes with pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it transforms into an infant stroller.
A
good infant car seats car seat will last and some come with a guarantee. Choose a seat that has plenty of padding and sturdy materials to safeguard your child from any injuries. It should also come with an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy, and an "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It is important to keep it clean as accidents are bound to happen with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car-seat with removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.
Easy of Use
A car seat should be easy to install and use, especially if you're likely to be using it in a different vehicle at times. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, an indicator that displays the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as simple as is possible.
The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers adored, such as an padded headrest and padded harness, plush fabric and a cup holder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be combined with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if you are planning to travel for long durations of time.
It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple to set up and adjust. It comes with a recline lock and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to ensure your child's safety. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
One of our most loved features is the recline feature that makes it easier to take your baby in and out of the
car seat newborn insert. This is especially helpful when you are suffering from back pain or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for toys and snacks.
The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a fantastic feature if you are limited on space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test of time. Be sure to clean the cover often as spills of yoghurt and biscuits that have been crushed and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their marks.
Design
Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're installed in. While some parents choose to skip infant car seats in favour of convertible models, the majority of new moms want something that will develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat, which allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a higher height and weight limit, and can be used as a booster seat if your child is ready for one.
A great car seat for your infant newborn car seat is light, making it easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features and is also light (8.4 pounds including canopy and seat inserts). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN which was the winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for
Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ due to its premium extras like the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The design of the base and seat must also be considered. For instance, certain car seats come with a base that locks into the buckles of the seat belts and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. These were a great option for parents, particularly when the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.
Some infant car seats can be used with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their children. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base and features a smooth swivel movement that makes it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat.
Other important design considerations include whether a car seat comes with a lie flat design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, look for one with an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. Check that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compatible and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.