How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into strollers) and works with your budget. It's also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car easily especially if you frequently change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe and a safe one should have some additional features that go beyond the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the head and shoulders as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.

Another crucial safety aspect is how easy it is to install and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.

There are features that aid in this process including belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will help you align the car seat to your car's seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seat newborn insert seats that might not have been crash-tested, or which might have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you have to buy an old car seat, ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not an individual or a private party who doesn't have proof of ownership.

Another thing to keep in your mind is to only leave your infant car seat swivel 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 get a chance to breathe regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a major investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Select a seat that will grow with your child's development and last from toddlerhood through teens. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth, and can be used until age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a long time. It has a 360-degree rotation which means that you can move it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seat available, weighing less than nine pounds. It's the ideal choice for parents who regularly move their children between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's homes.

Comfort

It is important that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both when they are in it and after you install it. Find straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear around their shoulders. Also, look for plush material that feels comfortable under their tummy. This is particularly important if you plan to use the seat for a long time.

The most effective car seat for infants is also easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. Some have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features can help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is particularly crucial as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company scored it a 10 out of 10. It has an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness, as well as an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without needing to take out and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parents who tested it were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support your baby's head, and it comes with a soft infant car seat swivel cushion to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it converts into an infant stroller.

A quality car seat is sturdy and some come with a warranty. Find a seat that has robust materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from any accidents and the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should be easy to clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat newborn insert-seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

Easy of Use

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

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and the cup holder. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is ideal if you intend to travel for extended periods of time.

Our panelists reported that this car seat was easy to put in and adjust. It comes with an indicator for recline and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securing your child quick and simple. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the use of tools.

One of our most loved features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant into and out of the car. This is particularly helpful if you suffer from back pain or have a small car. It also comes with the ability to change the drink holder as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used 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 was a big hit with our panelists and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great choice for anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will also stand the test of time. Just don't forget to wash your cover regularly as smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident is certain to leave a marks!

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the cars they're placed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seat and opt for convertible models. However, most new mothers are looking for something that can expand with their child through the toddler years. All-in-one car seats are most versatile that allow you to change 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 newborns is lightweight and easy to take off the base with your child inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out as it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ category, thanks to top-of-the-line features such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.

The base and seat design must be considered as well. Some car seats come with an attached base that is locked into the vehicle buckles for seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when properly attached. Parents found these convenient particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be used with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who frequently travel or travel with their babies. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our parent testers. It can be used either with or without the base, and features an easy swivel that allows you to easily take your baby in 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 new infant car seat for travel car seat that will develop with your child's growth into a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that has an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure that the infant car seat you choose is iSize compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points as per UK law.