How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The ideal car seat for a baby is one that complies with all safety standards of the federal government and is compatible with your vehicle. It should also have convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller and be within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat can be easily removed and put into of any vehicle, especially if you are frequently switching between taxis, rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A quality car seat will have extra features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts on the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.

Installation and use of the seat is another important aspect to consider for safety. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

There are features that aid in this process including belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats, which might not be crash-tested or have been in an accident and may 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 is not an individual or a private party who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

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

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

Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a lengthy period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation, which means you can move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seat available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who frequently transfer their babies between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby both when they are in the seat and when you are installing it. Find straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear around their shoulders, and for plush fabric that feels good under their tummy. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long time.

The most effective car seat for infants is also simple to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality with a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. Others have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a 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 has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as a recline lock indication. It is possible to easily change 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 different example. Our parent testers loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support your baby's head, and it comes with a soft infant cushion to keep them comfy. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts to the position of a stroller.

A good car seat will be durable and many come with a warranty. Look for a seat with sturdy materials and plenty of padding to shield 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 should be easy to 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 pads that can be washed in the machine.

Easy of Use

It's important that a car seat is simple to install and use, particularly in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, a gauge that indicates the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as simple as is possible.

The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several useful extras that our parents testers loved, including an padded headrest and padded harness, plush fabric and a cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your child to be seated in a more ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if are planning to travel for long periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It has a recline lock and a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to ensure your child's safety. It's also designed to be moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

The reclining feature makes it easier for you to get your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful when you have back issues or drive a car with a small size. It also comes with the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for toys and snacks.

The seat is light and can be used in conjunction with or without the base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which could be a lifesaver when you are in a tight space or struggle with back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's an excellent choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time, too. Don't forget to wash the cover frequently because yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a marks.

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seats in favor of a convertible model. However, most new mothers prefer a product that will develop with their child as they reach toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most versatile that allow you to change between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to lift off the base with your child inside. The Maxi-Cosi Titan Plus i-Size Car Seat for Kids Coral 360 Lightweight Baby Car Seat - Recommended Internet page, Coral is available in only a handful of colors, but it offers a lot of safety features, and is also light (8.4 pounds including seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN and the Nuna PIPA URbN, which was a winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+, thanks to its high-end extras like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The design of the base and the seat should be considered. Certain car seats have an attached base that is locked into the buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly connected. Parents appreciated these connectors particularly if their car only had front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less that is great for parents who often use taxis or travel with their child. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our parent testers. It can be used with or without the base, and has an easy swivel that makes it easier to get your baby in and out.

Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is an open design, and how it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will grow along with your child's development into 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 per UK law.