How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The Best Car seat for newborn car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like turning into a stroller) and is within your budget. It's also worth checking that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car without difficulty especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to ensure your baby is safe and a quality one should have some additional features that go beyond the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool while driving in hot temperatures.

Another important safety consideration is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its height, position, and security.

Find features that make it easier to accomplish this, such as built-in lock offs and belt guides that can help you line up the car seat to the vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats that may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and might not protect your child. If you have to purchase an old one be sure that it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it's best to keep your baby in the car seat for a maximum of 2 hours per day unless they are lying down in a supine position. This is to avoid strain on their developing spine and to ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

Selecting a car seat for your infant is a major investment, so you'll want to be sure it has a long duration. Choose a seat that will develop with your child's development and last from toddlerhood through teens. Our parents were pleased with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth and can be used up to age 7.

The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a lengthy time. It has a 360-degree rotation, which means you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seats on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's the ideal choice for parents who regularly transfer their children between cars or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

It is important that your baby is comfortable in their car seat both while they are in it and when you install it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long drives.

The best infant car seats cheap car seats are easy to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors that come with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without a base more simple than ever. Other features can help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is particularly important as your child gets older.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It has an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its ease of use simple and adaptability. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your infant and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it converts to an infant stroller.

A good car seat is durable and many come with a warranty. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and strong materials to protect your child from any accidents. It should also come with steel frames to absorb the impact energy and a "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It should be easy to clean, as accidents are sure to happen with a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Simple to Use

A car seat must be easy to use and install especially if you're going to be using it in an alternate vehicle at times. Look for features like a quick-release buckle, an indicator that shows the status of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as easy as you can.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a variety of practical features that our parent testers loved, such as an padded headrest and padded harness with a plush material and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position for longer trips. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is perfect if you intend to travel for extended durations of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to set up and adjust. It has a recline lock and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the use of tools.

The recline feature makes it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful if you have back issues or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also comes with a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.

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

It's an excellent choice for anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will stand the test of time as well. Don't forget to wash the cover often as yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick accidents with toddlers will leave their footprints.

Design

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

The ideal car seat for a newborn is lightweight and easy to lift it from the base and transport your child. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is extremely lightweight (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 seats for newborns Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and the seat should be considered. For instance, certain car seats have a specific base that is secured to the buckles of the seat belts and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if their car only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can also be used with a regular seatbelt, but without the base that is great for parents who regularly travel by taxi or travel with their child. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our parents who tested it. It can be used either with or without the base and features a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby in and out.

The design of a car seat is important. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seats by age seat compatibility). If you're in search of an infant car seat that will grow along with your child's growth into a booster seat pick a model that has a reclined backrest and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you choose is iSize compliant and also has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.