How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborn car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like turning into strollers) and fits within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat can be easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, especially if you are frequently switching between taxis, rental cars or your grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A quality car seat comes with extra features that are above the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot temperatures.

Another important safety consideration is how easy it is to set up and use the seat. Idealy, the seat should be easy to install and use, with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

Look for features that make it easier to accomplish this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that help to align the car seat with the seatbelt. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats, which may not be tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and may not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase a used one, make sure it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have proof of ownership.

One other thing to keep in your mind is to keep your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day unless they're in a lying-flat position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a long life span. Select a seat that will expand with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to the teen years. Our parent testers were very pleased 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 can be used over a long period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation, which means you can change 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 option for parents who transfer their child frequently between cars or are planning to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your child, both when they are in the seat and when you are installing it. Choose padded straps that fit comfortably around their shoulders, and look for plush material that feels comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long duration.

The most effective infant car seats are also 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 fitting without the base easier than ever before. Other features will help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is especially important as your child gets older.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate that our testers from the past gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation and recline lock indicator. It is easy to switch your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our parents loved for its convenience, comfort and flexibility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support the head of your newborn and includes an infant car seat rear facing pillow that is soft to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby reaches the maximum height or weight limit and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A good car seat is durable, and some will even come with a warranty. Choose an item that is made up of padding and durable materials to protect your child from any injuries. It should also come with a steel frame to absorb impact energy as well as an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It should also be easy to clean, as messes are inevitable with a child. Choose car seats that have removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleanup a breeze.

User-Friendliness

It is essential that a car seats newborn seat is simple to install and use, especially if it will be used in different vehicles at times. To make it as easy as possible, look for features such as a belt that can be released quickly and an indicator that shows the condition of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a user manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of practical extras that our parent testers loved, including a padded harness and headrest with a plush material and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in a more comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be combined with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if are planning to travel 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 a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securing your child quick and easy. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the use of tools.

The recline feature allows you to get your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is particularly useful for those who have back problems or drive a car with a small size. It also has an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat is light and can be used without or with the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have a limited space or are suffering from back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great option for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time, too. Make sure to clean the cover frequently because yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick toddler accidents can leave a footprints.

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. While some parents choose to not use infant car seats and opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want something that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in one baby car seat, which allows you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for infants for infants is light and easy to lift off the base with your child inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is super light (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 infant carrier car seat Car Seat Group 0/0+ due to its premium features like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The base and seat design should be considered as well. Certain car seats have bases that lock into the vehicle buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base once properly connected. These were useful for parents, especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Certain infant car seats work with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel frequently or travel with their babies. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat.

Additionally, the design of a car seat is important. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat newborn that will grow with your baby into an adult, select one that has the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compatible and has the right car seat attachment points according to UK law.