How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into a stroller) and fits within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially if you are frequently switching between rental cars, taxis or the vehicles of your grandparents.

Safety

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

Installation and use of the seat is an important aspect to consider for safety. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's safe, level, and positioned properly.

There are features that can aid in this process like belt guides and built-in locks which will assist you in aligning the car seat to your car's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats that might not have been tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and might not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase a used car seat, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have evidence of ownership.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your child in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they're in a lying-flat position. This is to prevent stress on their spine and to ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment, so you'll want to be sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Choose a seat that is designed to grow with your child that will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. Our testers for parents were pleased 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 option that can be used for a lengthy period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation which means that you can switch it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest-weight car seats on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great option for parents who move their child frequently between cars or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby, both in the seat and when you are installing it. Look for padded straps that fit snugly on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is soft under their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.

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

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our test subjects gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This allows you to switch between forward and rear-facing positions as your baby grows, without needing to remove the seat and replace it.

Another option is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support the head of your infant and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts to a stroller.

A high-quality car seat is durable, and many have a warranty. Find the seat with plenty of padding and sturdy materials to protect your child from accidents. It should also have a steel frame to absorb the force of impact, and a "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It is important to keep it clean since accidents are likely to happen when you have children. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

User-Friendliness

A car seat must be simple to use and install particularly if you're likely to be using it in an alternate vehicle from time to time. 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 possible.

The Best of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features that our testers for parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and the cup holder. It features a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create an entire travel system which is ideal if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.

It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat to be easy to put in and adjust. It comes with recline locks and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle easily without the need for tools.

One of our most loved features is the recline feature that helps you take your baby in and out of the car. This is especially useful for those who have back problems or drive a car with a small size. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is an excellent option if you're limited on space or have back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is an excellent option for those who want to convert their car seats into strollers at an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time, too. Don't forget to wash the cover often as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.

Design

The styles of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're installed in. While some parents choose to not use infant car seats in favour of a convertible model, most new moms want something that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for a newborn is lightweight and easy to lift from the base and transport your baby in it. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with 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 since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to high-end features like the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.

The design of the seat and base should also be taken into consideration. Certain car seats have a base that locks into the buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were a great option for parents, particularly when the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Certain infant car seat uk car seats work with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their babies. Our testers with parents 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 infant out and in the seat.

Also, the design of a car seat is important. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat newborn car seat insert that will develop with your baby until a booster, choose one that has the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat travel car seat you choose is iSize compatible and has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.