How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for a newborn is one that meets all safety standards set by the federal government and fits in your car. It should also have convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller, and be within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often change between trips to the taxi or in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A quality car seat comes with extra features that are above the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot vehicles, and side-impact protection.
Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.
Look for features that allow you to do this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that help you align the car seat with the vehicle's seatbelt. Also, you should avoid buying used car seats, as they might not be crash-tested or have been in an accident and may not protect your child. If you have to buy a used car seat, ensure that it has an expiration and that the seller is not a private person who does not have proof of ownership.
It's also important to remember that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours per day, unless you are in a flat position. This is to reduce stress on their spine and ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat to last for a long time since it's an important investment. Select a seat that will expand with your child's development and last from toddlerhood through teens. Our parent testers were very satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth and can be used up to age 7.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second option that can be used for a lengthy period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation that means you can move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It is also one of lightest rotating car seat on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who frequently move their children between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
It is crucial that your child is comfortable in their car seat both in it as well as when you install it. Look for padded straps that fit comfortably on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long rides.
The best infant car seat is also easy to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make installing without a base more simple than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the headrest and harness that is essential as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers scored 10/10 for ease of use. It has a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your baby grows, without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Another instance is the Nuna Pipa aire rx, which our parents loved for its convenience, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support your newborn's head and includes an infant pillow that is soft to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby hits the max height or weight limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A good car seat is durable and some have a warranty. Choose a seat made of robust materials and plenty of padding to protect your child from any injuries, as well as a steel frame that absorbs the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It should also be easy to clean as spills are commonplace with a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car-seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Easy of Use
It is essential that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, particularly if it will be used in multiple vehicles from time to time. 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 of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features that our parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric, and the cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in an ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system. This is perfect when you plan to travel for a long period of time.
Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securing your child quick and simple. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle without tools.
One of our top features is the reclining feature that makes it easier to get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful when you have back problems or drive a car with a small size. It also has an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.
The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be set up with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. best infant car seat pushchairsandprams.uk is an excellent feature for those who are tight in space or have back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It's a great choice for anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller at an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality material will also stand the test time. Be sure to wash your cover often as smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave their footprints!
Design
Car seat designs are as diverse as the vehicles they're placed in. While some parents opt to skip infant car seats in favour of convertible models, the majority of new mothers want a seat that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually 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 newborns is lightweight 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 couple of colors, but has a lot of safety features and is extremely lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are 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 such as the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.
The design of the base and seat must be considered. Some car seats have an attached base that is locked into the seat belt buckles. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when correctly connected. These were useful for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.
Some infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their infants. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our testers who are parents. It can be used either with or without the base and features a smooth swivel that allows you to easily get your baby inside and out.
Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is a lie flat design, and how well it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a newborn infant car seat that can expand with your child's development into a booster seat, choose a model that features an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure the baby car seat you pick is iSize compatible and has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.