How to Choose the Best 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 changing into a stroller) and works with your budget. It’s also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents’ vehicles.
Safety
A high-quality car seat comes with extra features that go beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.
Installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its height, position, and security.
Find features that make it easier to do this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that can help to align the car seat with the vehicle’s seat belt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for crash, or which might have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you have to buy an old car seat, make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not a private person who doesn’t have proof of ownership.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you should only leave your baby in the car seat for up to two hours a day, unless it’s in a flat position. This is to reduce strain on their developing spine and to ensure they are able to breathe regularly.
You’ll want a seat to last a long time, since it’s an important investment. Pick a seat that can grow with your child’s age and last from toddlerhood through teens. One of the ones our parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used for up to 7 years old.
The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees making it possible to change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It’s also one of the most lightweight car seats available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It’s an excellent choice for parents who need to move their child frequently between cars or are planning to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
It is important that your baby feels at ease in their car seat both in it as well as when you install it. Look for straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long trips.
The best infant car seat is also simple to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make putting them on without the base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest which is crucial as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It comes with an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. This means that you can change from forward-facing to rear-facing as your child grows without needing to remove the seat and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its ease of use and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrest are designed to accommodate the head of your infant and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum 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 some even have a warranty. Look for an item that is made up of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any accidents. It should also include a steel frame to absorb impact energy, and a “crumple area” to prevent crash damage. It must also be easy to clean, since messiness is inevitable with a baby. Find car seats with removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning easy.
User-Friendliness
A car seat should be simple to install and use, especially if you’re likely to use it in the same vehicle from time to time. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, a gauge that shows the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as easy as is possible.
The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of practical extras that our parent testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded, plush fabric and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer travels. It can also be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if intend to travel for extended periods of time.
It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple to install 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’s also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
One of our favorite features is the recline feature that makes it easier to take your baby in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful for those with back problems or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat is light and can be used without or with the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
This is an excellent option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers for a reasonable price. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time, too. Just don’t forget to wash your cover regularly, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the occasional sick toddler accident are sure to leave their mark!
Design
The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they’re used in. Some parents choose to skip infant car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that can develop with their child as they reach the age of toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most flexible that allow you to change from rear-facing to forward-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and it can be used as a booster seat once your child is ready to be one.
The ideal car seat for infants for babies is light and easy to lift off the base with your baby inside. The Maxi-Cosi Mica Eco i-Size Swivel Car Seat Black – Premium Safety for Your Baby Coral is available in only a handful of colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features, and is light (8.4 pounds including seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN, winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for best car seat for newborn Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The design of the base and the seat should be taken into consideration. For example, some car seats use a special base that is secured to the vehicle’s seat belt buckles as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. These were convenient for parents, particularly in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seatbelts.
Certain infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their children. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby into and out of 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 that will grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, look for one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It’s also important to confirm that your chosen infant car seat is iSize compatible and has the right car seat attachment points as per UK law.
