How to Choose the best car seat for newborn Car Seat Newborn

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

Safety

A high-quality car seat will come with additional features that go beyond the safety standards of the federal government. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact safety.

Another important aspect to consider is the ease to install and use the seat. In the ideal scenario, you'll be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort and with clear indications that it's secure and level, as well as positioned properly.

There are many features that can aid in this process including belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid buying used car seats that may 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 used car seat ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller isn't an individual who has no proof of ownership.

It's also important to remember that you should only allow your child in the car seat up to two hours per day, unless it's in an upright position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they have a chance to breath regularly.

You'll want a seat to last for a long time, since it's an important investment. Pick a seat that can expand with your child's age 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.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a lengthy time. It is 360-degree in rotation which means that you can move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the most light-weight car seats available, weighing less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who transfer their child frequently between cars or plan to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is essential that your baby is comfortable in their car seat both while they are in it and when you install it. Look for padded straps that fit snugly on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long trips.

The best top rated infant car seats car seats are also simple to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors, SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make installing without the base much easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It features a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, and a recline lock indication. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our parent testers loved it for its comfort and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to support the head of your infant, and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby reaches the maximum height or weight limits, and it converts into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A high-quality car seat is durable, and some even come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to shield your baby from any accidents, as well as the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It should also be easy to clean, since spills are commonplace when you have a baby. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.

User-Friendliness

It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, especially if it will be used in a variety of vehicles from time to time. To make it as easy as possible look for features such as a quick-release belt, an indicator to show the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a 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 the headrest and harness that are padded, plush fabric and a cup holder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position for longer trips. It can also be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to install and adjust. It has a recline lock and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It's also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the need for tools.

One of our favorite features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant into and out of the car. This is especially helpful if you have back issues or drive a smaller car. It also has the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a real lifesaver if you have limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and it was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will endure the test of time, too. Make sure to clean the cover frequently as spills of yoghurt and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick toddler accidents will leave their marks.

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seats to opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want a product that can continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible, allowing you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher height and weight limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat when your child is ready for one.

The ideal car seat for infants for infants is light and easy to lift off the base while your child is inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is incredibly light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to high-end features like the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and the seat should be taken into consideration. Some car seats have an attached base that is locked into the buckles for seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when properly connected. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats cheap car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt without the base that is great for parents who often travel by taxi or travel with their infant car seat rear facing. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it simple to get your child into and out of the seat.

Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is a lie flat design, and how it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of an infant car seat that will develop with your child's development into a booster, choose a model with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Check that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compatible and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.