How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, has convenient extras (like making it strollers) and works with your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat can be easily removed and put into of any vehicle, particularly when you're constantly switching between taxis, rental cars or your grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A good car seat comes with extra features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. They 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 safety.

Another important aspect to consider is how easy it is to install and use the seat. Ideally, you should be in a position to snap it in place with minimum effort and with clear indications that it's safe and level, as well as positioned properly.

Look for features that make it easier to do that, like built-in lock offs and belt guides that can help you line up the car seat with the seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for safety, or which might have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you must buy an old one, make sure it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have proof of ownership.

Another thing to keep in mind is to keep your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day unless they are lying down in a supine position. This is to avoid the spine from becoming strained and to ensure they get a chance to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat to last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Find one that's designed to adapt to your child's needs, which will last through toddlerhood and through the teen years. One product that our testers for parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from birth and can be used for up to 7 years.

The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees, making it possible to change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest-weight car seats on the market and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who need to move their child frequently between cars or plan to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat will be comfortable for your child, both in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long drives.

The best car seats for newborns infant car seat is also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Some also have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the harness height and headrest, which is particularly crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave 10 out of 10 for its ease of use. It has an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without having to remove and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parents who tested it loved it for its comfort and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to help support the head of your baby and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat 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 high-quality car seat is durable and some come with a guarantee. Look for a seat with sturdy materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from accidents, as well as a steel frame that absorbs the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It is important to keep it clean since accidents are likely to happen with the growing age of a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Ease of Use

It's important that a car seat is easy to install and use, especially if it will be used in different vehicles periodically. Look for features like a quick-release buckle, an indicator that displays the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as easy as you can.

The best car seat for newborn of The Bump winner also has a number of practical extras that our parent testers loved, including a padded harness and headrest, plush fabric and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in an ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is a great option for those who plan to travel for a long period of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to set up and adjust. It has recline lock indicators and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securing your child quick and simple. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the need for tools.

The reclining feature allows you to take your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful for those with back problems or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat is lightweight and can be used in conjunction with or without the base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a fantastic feature if you are limited on space or have back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this new feature which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great choice for anyone looking to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-quality material will also stand the test time. Be sure to wash your cover frequently because smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident is certain to leave a marks!

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seat and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that will develop with their child as they reach toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to remove from the base with your child inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is incredibly light (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 for newborn Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras like the Dream drape and full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and the seat should be taken into consideration. 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 which flip out of the sides of the base once properly joined. Parents found these convenient, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be utilized with a regular seatbelt, but without the base, which is a bonus for parents who frequently take taxis or need to travel with their infant. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your child into 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 looking for a new infant car seat that will develop with your child to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you choose is iSize compatible and has the correct car-seat attachment points, as required by UK law.