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

The best car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like making it a stroller) and fits within your budget. It's also worth checking that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car with ease especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

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

Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be capable of snapping it into place with minimal effort and with clear indications that it's secure and level, as well as positioned correctly.

There are many features that will aid in this process including belt guides and built-in locks which will assist you in aligning the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used car seat ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual seller who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it's best to keep your child in the car seat for up to 2 hours per day unless they are lying down in a supine position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they get a chance to breath regularly.

Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment, so you'll want to be sure it has a long life span. Look for one that's designed to adapt with your child, which will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. One product that our testers for parents loved was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from birth and can be used up to 7 years old.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a long time. It is 360-degree in rotation that means you can move it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seat on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who move their baby between vehicles frequently or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is crucial that your baby is at ease in their car seat both when they are in it and after you install it. Find straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear around their shoulders, and look for plush fabric that feels good on their stomachs. This is particularly important if you plan to use the seat for a long time.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. Some also have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest which is crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate that our testers from the past scored 10/10 for its ease of use. It has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicator. This allows you to switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your child grows without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parents who tested it were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn and includes an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it transforms into the position of a stroller.

A high-quality car seat will last and some come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of solid materials and plenty of padding to shield your baby from any accidents as well as a steel frame that absorbs impact energy 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 that has removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.

Easy of Use

It is essential that the car seat you choose to purchase is easy to install and use, especially if it will be used in multiple vehicles periodically. To make it as simple as possible look for features like a belt that can be released quickly as well as an indicator to indicate 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 with a plush material and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in a more comfortable position for longer trips. It can be paired with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is ideal when you plan to travel for a long period of time.

Our panelists noted that this car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It features recline locks and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle easily without tools.

One of our most loved features is the recline feature that helps you get your infant in and out of the car. This is especially useful when you have back pain or have a small car. It also comes with the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you are in a tight space or are suffering from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will also stand the test of time. Make sure to clean the cover frequently as spills of yoghurt or biscuits that are crushed and even sickening accidents with toddlers will leave their footprints.

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. While some parents opt to leave infant car seats out and opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want something that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in one baby car seat, which allows you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and it can be used as a booster seat if your child is ready to be one.

An ideal infant car seat newborn car seat is lightweight which makes it easy to lift it from the base and carry with your baby in it. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is super light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out as it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards best infant car seat Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, like the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.

The base and seat design should be considered as well. Certain car seats have an attached base that is locked into the vehicle seat belt buckles. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when properly attached. Parents have found these to be convenient particularly if their car only had front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some portable infant car seat car seats can be used with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel often or travel with their babies. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without the base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby in and out of the seat.

The design of the car seat is crucial. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your baby into a booster, choose one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your chosen infant car seat is iSize compatible and has the right car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.