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, comes with useful extras (like changing into a stroller) and is within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, especially when you're constantly switching between rental cars, taxis or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to protect your baby and a quality one should come with extra features beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded cushions on the head and shoulders and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.

Another important safety consideration is how easy it is to install and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be able to snap it in place with minimum effort, and with clear signs that it's secure and level, as well as positioned properly.

Look for features that make it easier to do that, like built-in locks and belt guides that assist you align the car seat to the vehicle's seatbelt. You also want to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and might not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase a used one, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who does not 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 you are in an upright position. This is to reduce the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last for a long time since it's an important investment. Pick a seat that can develop with your child and last from toddlerhood to teen years. Our parents were pleased with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth and is able to be used up to age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's an excellent choice for parents who transfer their baby between vehicles frequently or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is essential that your baby feels comfortable in their car seat, both in it as well as when you install it. Look for padded straps that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long drives.

The best car seats infant car seat is also simple to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. Some have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base simpler than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the headrest and harness height that is essential as your child grows.

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

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parents who tested it loved it for its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn, 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. Then, it transforms into a stroller.

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

User-Friendliness

It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is easy to install and use, particularly when it is going to be used in a variety of vehicles from time to time. To make it as simple as possible, look for features like the quick-release belt, an indicator to show the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a variety of practical features that our parent testers adored, such as an padded headrest and padded harness with a plush material and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in an ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if you intend to travel for extended periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to set up and adjust. It features recline locks and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that helps you get your infant into and out of the car. This is especially useful for those who have back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also features a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great option if you're limited in space or suffer from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great choice for anyone looking to convert their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-end materials will stand up to the test of time. Be sure to wash your cover regularly because smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident are certain to leave a footprints!

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. Some parents choose to skip infant car seats in favor of convertible models. However, most new mothers want something that can develop with their child as they reach toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in one baby car seat that allows you to change between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically 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 babies is light and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are the Nuna PIPA URbN, winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+, thanks to its high-end features like the Dream drape and full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and seat must be considered. Some car seats have bases that lock into the buckles for seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base once properly connected. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if their car only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.

Certain infant car seats on sale car seats can be used with regular seatbelts without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel often or travel with their children. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our parents who tested it. It can be used with or without the base and it has a smooth swivel that allows you to easily get your baby inside and out.

Also, the design of a car seat is important. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a newborn car seat infant carrier seat car seat that can expand with your child's growth into a booster, choose a model with a reclined backrest and side impact protection. Make sure the baby car seat you pick is iSize-compliant, and that it uses the appropriate car seat attachment points as per UK law.