How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into the stroller) and works with your budget. It's also important to ensure that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car without difficulty especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe, and a good one should come with extra features that go beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot car, and side-impact protection.

Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to set up and use the seat. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.

Find features that allow you to do that, like locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that can help you align the car seat to the vehicle's seatbelt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been crash-tested or been involved in an accident. They 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 has no evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it's best to only leave your infant in the car seat for no more than two hours per day, unless they are lying down in a supine position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they have a chance to breath regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment, so you'll want to be sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Pick a seat that can develop with your child's development and last from toddlerhood to teen years. One that our parent testers loved was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from the time of birth and can be used until 7 years old.

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

Comfort

It is important that your child is at ease in their car seat, both while they are in it and when you install it. Look for padded straps that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long drives.

The best infant car seats are easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make fitting without the base easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the headrest and harness height which is crucial as your child grows.

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 features an easy, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your child grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parent testers were impressed by its comfort and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to help support the head of your infant car seat and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby hits the max weight or height limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.

A quality car seat is durable and many come with a guarantee. Look for an item that is made up of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any injuries. It should also include an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy as well as a "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It must be easy to clean since accidents are likely to happen with the growing age of a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat for newborn seat that has removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

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. To make it as easy as possible look for features such as the 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 comes with a number of practical features, which our parent testers loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush fabric and the cup holder. It features a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can be combined with a compatible buggy for an entire travel system. This is ideal if you are planning to travel for a long duration.

Our panelists found that the car seat was easy to install and adjust. It comes with a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made securement of your child quick and simple. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the use of tools.

The reclining feature allows you to carry your child in and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful for those with back problems or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

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

It's a great option for anyone who wants to transform their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time also. Just don't forget to wash your cover often, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the odd sick toddler accident is sure to leave their footprints!

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the vehicles they're placed in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seats to opt for convertible models, most new moms want a product 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 higher weight and height limit and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for infants for babies is light and easy to remove from the base with your baby 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). 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 full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and seat should also be considered. Some car seats have a base that locks into the vehicle buckles for seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base once properly joined. These were convenient for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seat that swivels car seats can also be used with a regular seatbelt without the base, which is a bonus for parents who often take taxis or need to travel with their infant. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our parent testers. It can be used either with or without the base and has a smooth swivel, which makes it easier to take your baby in and out.

Additionally, the design of car seats is vital. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that swivels car seat newborn that will grow with your baby as he develops 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 compatible and has the correct car-seat attachment points, as required by UK law.