How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into strollers) and works with your budget. It's also important to ensure that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car without difficulty, particularly if you often change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A good car seat comes with extra features that go beyond the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact safety.

Another important aspect to consider is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be simple to install and use, with clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.

Look for features that make it easier to accomplish this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that help you align the car seat to the vehicle's seat belt. You also want to avoid purchasing used car seats that may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not protect your child. If you are forced to purchase an old car seat, ensure that it is not expired. an expiration date and that the seller is not an individual or a private party who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it's best infant seat to only leave your infant in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they're in a lying-flat position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they get a chance to breath regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last for a long time since it's an important investment. Choose a seat that will expand with your child and last from toddlerhood through teen years. Our parents were impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth, and is able to be used up to age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a long time. It has a 360-degree rotation that means you can change it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the most lightweight car seats available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's the perfect option for parents who regularly transfer their babies between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

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

The most effective car seat for infants is also user-friendly. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that come with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without the base much easier than ever before. Other features can help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good example. Our testers from our parent company gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your baby grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa aire rx, which our testers who were parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and flexibility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are shaped to support your newborn's head, and it comes with a soft infant pillow to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. It then converts to the position of a stroller.

A good car seat is durable, and some have a warranty. Choose an item that is made up of padding and durable materials to protect your child from any accidents. It should also come with steel frames to absorb the impact energy as well as a "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It must be easy to clean, as accidents are sure to happen with children. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

User-Friendliness

It is essential that a car seat is simple to install and use, especially in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. To make it as easy as possible you should look for features like the quick-release belt and an indicator that shows the condition of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features, which our parent testers appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material and a cupholder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in an comfortable position for longer travels. It can also be used with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is perfect if you are planning to travel for long durations of time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was simple to put in and adjust. It features recline locks and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to secure your child. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

The recline feature allows you to take your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful for those with back problems or drive a smaller car. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.

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 limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&baby seat awards.

It's a great option for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time also. Don't forget to wash the cover frequently as spills of yoghurt or biscuits that are crushed, and even sickening accidents with toddlers will leave their footprints.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're used in. While some parents choose to leave infant car seats out to opt for convertible models, most new moms want a product that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat, which allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a higher height and weight limit, and can often be used as a booster seat when your child is ready to be one.

The ideal car seat for a newborn car seat is light and easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is super lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN which was the winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for best car seats for infants Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The base and seat design should be considered. For instance, some car seats have a specific base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be utilized with a regular seatbelt, but without the base that is great for parents who regularly travel by taxi or travel with their child. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our parents who tested it. It can be used either with or without the base and has an easy swivel that allows you to easily get your baby in and out.

Other important design considerations are whether a car seat comes with a flat design, and how well it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that will grow with your baby into an adult, select one that has the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compliant and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points as per UK law.