How to Choose the best infant car seat Car Seat Newborn

The Best Car Seat For Newborn car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into strollers) 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 easily, particularly if you often switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to protect your baby and a quality one should have some additional features that go beyond federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.

The ease of installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. Idealy, the seat should be easy to install and use, with clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.

Look for features that help you do this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that can help you align the car seat with the seat belt. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats that might not be tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and may not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase an old one ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual seller who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

It's also important to keep in mind 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 the spine from becoming strained and to ensure they are able to breathe regularly.

Choosing an infant car seat is a major investment, so you'll want to make sure it has a long life span. Find one that's designed to grow with your child, which will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from birth and can be used until 7 years old.

The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the most lightweight car seats on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. It's the ideal choice for parents who regularly transfer their babies between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's homes.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for padded straps which fit snugly around their shoulders, and for soft fabric that is comfortable under their tummy. This is crucial if you plan to use the seat for a long time.

The most effective car seat for infants is also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without the base much easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is important as your child gets older.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company scored it a 10 out of 10. It has an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch between forward and rear-facing positions as your baby grows, without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support the head of your newborn, and it comes with a soft infant cushion to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts to a stroller.

A quality car seat is durable and some come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of robust materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your baby from accidents and a steel frame that absorbs impact energy and a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should be easy to clean as accidents are bound to happen when you have a child. Find car seats with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.

Easy of Use

A car seat needs to be easy to use and install particularly if you're likely to use it in a different vehicle at times. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, an indicator that displays the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as easy as possible.

The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of practical features that our parent testers loved, including the headrest and harness that are padded as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be used with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is ideal if are planning to travel for long periods of time.

Our panelists noted that the car seat was easy to install and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securing your child quick and easy. It's also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

The recline feature makes it easier for you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is particularly helpful for those with back problems or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which could be a huge help if you have a limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is an excellent option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality materials will stand up to the test time. Make sure to clean the cover often as spills of yoghurt or biscuits that are crushed, or even sick accidents with toddlers will leave their footprints.

Design

The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're installed in. While some parents opt to leave infant car seats out to opt for a convertible model, most new moms want a product that will develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat that allows you to switch between forward facing infant car seat-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height restriction 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 take off the base while your child is inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colours, but offers plenty 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, winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ due to its premium features like the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The base and seat design should also be taken into consideration. For example, some car seats use a special base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if their car only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats are compatible with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel often or travel with their children. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without its base and features a smooth swivel movement that makes it simple to get your infant out and in the seat.

Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has a flat design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, choose one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compatible and has the right car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.