How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The ideal car seat for a new baby is one that complies with all safety standards of the federal government and fits your vehicle. It should also come with useful extras, like the capability to convert into a stroller, and also be within your budget. It's also important to ensure that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car with ease, particularly if you often switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to ensure your baby is safe and a safe one should include extra features beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot car and side-impact safety.

Easy installation and use of the seat is another important aspect to consider for safety. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indicators that it's safe and level, as well as positioned correctly.

There are many features that will help you with this like belt guides and built-in lockoffs which will assist you in aligning the car seat with your car's seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for safety, or which might have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you must buy a used one ensure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your baby in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.

Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment therefore you'll need to make sure that it has a lengthy duration. Pick a seat that can grow with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One Nania Race i-Size Car Seat - Spiderman, which is suitable from the time of birth and can be used until 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 rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It is also one of lightest rotating car seat available, weighing less than nine pounds. It's an excellent choice for parents who move their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is important that your child is at ease in their car seat, both in it as well as when you install it. Choose padded straps that are comfortable to wear around their shoulders, and look for plush material that feels comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long time.

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 also come with spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base simpler than ever. Other features will help you adjust the harness height and headrest, which is particularly crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave 10 out of 10 for its ease of use. It features a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your baby grows, without having to remove the seat and replace it.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parent testers loved for its comfort, ease of use and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support your baby's head and includes a soft infant pillow to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it converts to the position of a stroller.

A good car seat is durable and many come with a warranty. Choose a seat made of robust materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your child from any injuries as well as the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should also be easy to clean as spills are commonplace with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Easy of Use

A car seat must be simple to install and use especially if you're going to be using it in a different vehicle from time to time. 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 pushchairsandprams a simple-to-read manual to make it as stress-free as possible.

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras, which our parent testers appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric and a cupholder. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can be paired with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is perfect for those who plan to travel for a long duration.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat easy to put in and adjust. It has a recline lock and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the need for tools.

The recline feature allows you to take your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful if you suffer from back problems or have a small car. It also has the ability to change the drink holder as well as a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a real lifesaver if you have limited space or struggle with back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great option for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time, too. Make sure to clean the cover frequently as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, or even sick toddler accidents can leave a marks.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seat and opt for convertible models. However, the majority of new mothers want something that will develop with their child as they reach the age of toddlerhood. The most versatile choice is an all-in-one infant car seat, which lets you switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat once your child is ready for one.

The ideal infant car seat for babies is light and easy to remove from 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 also light (8.4 pounds including canopy and seat inserts). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN and the Nuna PIPA URbN, which was a 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 a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and the seat should also be considered. For instance, certain car seats come with a base that is secured to the buckles of the seat belts, while others have LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. These were a great option for parents, particularly when the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats work with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who frequently travel or travel with their children. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our parents who tested it. It can be used either with or without the base and features a smooth swivel that allows you to easily take your baby in and out.

Also, the design of car seats is vital. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you are looking for a new infant car seat that will expand with your child's development into a booster pick a model with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your chosen infant car seat is iSize certified and has the proper car seat attachment points according to UK law.