How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

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

Safety

A high-quality car seat will have extra features that go beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact safety.

Another important aspect to consider is how easy it is to set up and use the seat. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

Find features that allow you to do that, like built-in locks and belt guides that assist you line up the car seat with the seat belt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for safety or been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you have to buy an used car seat ensure that it is not expired. an expiration date and that the seller is not an individual or a private party who has no proof of ownership.

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

You'll want a seat that will last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Select a seat that will expand with your child's age and last from toddlerhood through the teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from the time of birth and can be used for up to 7 years.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative 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 lightest rotating infant car seat car seat available that weighs less than nine pounds. It's an excellent choice for parents who move their infant frequently between vehicles or are planning to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A good infant car seat is comfortable for your baby both in the seat and when you are installing it. Find straps with padding that fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long rides.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that come with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make putting them on without the base easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is particularly important as your child gets older.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation and a recline lock indication. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without needing to take out and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parent testers loved it for its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padding for the shoulder straps and headrest are designed to help support the head of your baby, and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. It then converts to the position of a stroller.

A quality car seat is durable, and some come with a guarantee. Look for a seat with robust materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your baby from accidents as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It is also easy to clean as messiness is inevitable with a child. Choose car seats with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.

Easy of Use

It is essential that a car seat be easy to install and use, particularly if it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. To make it as easy as possible you should look for features such as the quick-release belt, an indicator to show the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best car seat for newborn of The Bump winner also comes with several practical features that our parent testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded, plush fabric and a cup holder. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is perfect if you are planning to travel for long periods of time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was simple to set up and adjust. It comes with a recline lock and a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to secure your child. 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 take your baby in and out of the car. This is especially useful when you have back pain or have a small car. It also features a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have a limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists, and it was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's an excellent choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time also. Be sure to wash your cover often, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the occasional sick toddler accident are sure to leave a marks!

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the cars they're used in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seats in favour of convertible models, most new moms want something that can continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible that allow you to change from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and is often used as a booster seat if your child is ready to be one.

The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, but it offers a lot of safety features and is lightweight (8.4 pounds, including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards best car seat for newborn Car Seat Group 0/0+ category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and seat must be taken into consideration. Some car seats have a base that locks into the seat belt buckles. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when correctly connected. Parents found these convenient, especially if their car only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be utilized with a regular seatbelt without the base this is a great benefit for parents who frequently use taxis or travel with their infant. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base and has a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.

Also, the design of a car seat is important. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby into a booster, look for one that has a reclining headrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your selected infant car seat is iSize certified and has the proper car seat attachment points, according to UK law.