How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, has convenient extras (like turning into the stroller) and is within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat can be easily removed and put into of any vehicle, especially when you frequently switch between taxis, rental cars or the vehicles of your grandparents.

Safety

A high-quality car seat comes with extra features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot car, and side-impact protection.

The ease of installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's safe and level, as well as positioned correctly.

Find features that help you do that, like locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that help to align the car seat with the seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that may not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase a used car seat be sure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have proof of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is to keep your child in the car seat for no more than two hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This is to prevent the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat to last for a long time as it is a significant investment. Choose a seat that is designed to adapt with your child that will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our parent testers were very 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 another option that you can use for a long time. It has a 360-degree rotation which means that you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's an excellent choice for parents who transfer their child frequently between cars 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 when they are in it as well as when you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit snugly around their shoulders, and for plush material that feels comfortable on their stomachs. This is especially important if you plan to use the seat for a long time.

The best car seat for infants is also simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is crucial as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without having to remove and replace the seat.

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

A quality car seat will be durable and many come with a warranty. Look for the seat with plenty of padding and sturdy materials to safeguard your child from accidents. It should also have an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy, and a "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It must also be easy to clean, since messiness is inevitable with a child. Choose a car seat with removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning a breeze.

Simple to Use

A car seat needs to be simple to use and install particularly if you're likely to use it in a different vehicle at least once in a while. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, an indicator that shows the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as stress-free as possible.

The best car seats of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers loved, such as the headrest and harness that are padded with a plush material and a cup holder. It also features a recline feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer trips. It can be paired with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system. This is perfect if you are planning to travel for a long duration.

The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat easy to put in and adjust. It has recline lock indicators and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes the process of securing your child simple. 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 reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for toys and snacks.

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

It's a great choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will also stand the test of time. Just don't forget to wash your cover regularly as smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident is sure to leave a footprints!

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the cars they're placed in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers want something that can develop with their child as they reach the toddler years. All-in-one car seats are most flexible and allow you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and it is often used as a booster seat if your child is ready for one.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to remove from the base with your child inside. The Maxi-Cosi 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 canopy and seat inserts). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN which was the winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best 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 seat and base must also be taken into consideration. For instance, certain car seats have a specific base that is secured to the buckles on the seat belts as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.

Certain infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their infants. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without the base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your top rated baby car seats out and in the seat.

The design of a car seat is important. It must fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you are looking for a newborn infant car seat travel car seat that will develop with your child's growth to become a booster seat pick a model that has a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you choose is iSize-compliant, and that it uses the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.