How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborn car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like making it the stroller) and fits within your budget. It's also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car with ease especially if you frequently shift between taxis or rides in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to protect your baby and a safe one should come with additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts 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 of safety. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it in place with little effort, and with clear signs that it's secure, level, and positioned correctly.

Find features that allow you to do that, like built-in lock offs and belt guides that can help you line up the car seat with the seat belt. You also want to avoid buying used car seats, which might not be crash-tested or have been in an accident and might not be safe for your child. If you are forced to purchase an old car seat, make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller isn't an individual who does not have proof of ownership.

One other thing to keep in your mind is to keep your child in the car seat for up to two 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 get a chance to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat that will last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Find one that's designed to grow with your child, which will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from birth and can be used 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 your child grows. It's also among the lightest-weight car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who transfer their infant frequently between vehicles or are planning to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is essential that your child is at ease in their car seat both when they are in it as well as when you install it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long rides.

The most effective infant car seats are also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make fitting without the base much easier than ever before. Other features can help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is particularly 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 features a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicators. It is possible to easily change your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without needing to take out and replace the seat.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and its versatility. Its padded headrest and shoulder straps are designed to accommodate the head of your baby and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max weight or height limits and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A good car seat is durable, and many come with a guarantee. Find a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to protect your child from any injuries. It should also have an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy as well as a "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It must be easy to clean since accidents are likely to happen when you have a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat that has removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Simple to Use

It's important that a car seat be easy to install and use, especially when it is going to be used in a variety of vehicles at times. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, a gauge that shows the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as easy as you can.

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our testers for parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric and cup holders. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can be paired with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system. This is ideal for those who plan to travel for a long period of time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was easy to put in and adjust. It features recline locks as well as an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the need for tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that allows you to easily get your infant into and out of the car. This is especially useful when you have back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also has a reversible drink holder, and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic option if you're limited in space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is a great option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers at affordable prices. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time also. Make sure to clean the cover regularly because yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.

Design

The styles of car seats can be as diverse as the cars they're placed in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seats in favor of convertible models. However, most new mothers are looking for something that will develop with their child as they reach 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 also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for a newborn car seat is lightweight and easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Baby Car Seat - Group 0+ Coral, which is only available in a handful 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 full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and seat should also be considered. Certain car seats have bases that lock into the seat belt buckles. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were convenient for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt that is not base-less 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 it has an easy swivel that makes it easier to take your baby in and out.

Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has a flat design, and how well it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that can develop with your child's growth into a booster seat pick a model with an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat you select is iSize compliant and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.