How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your car, has useful features (like changing into strollers) and works with your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat can be easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, particularly when you frequently switch between taxis, rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

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

Another important safety consideration is the ease to set up and use the seat. In the ideal scenario, you'll 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.

Look for features that allow you to accomplish this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that can help to align the car seat to the vehicle's seat belt. Avoid buying used car seats that may not have been crash-tested, or which might have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you must buy a used one, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.

It's also important to remember that you should only allow your child in the car seat for up to two hours a day, unless you are in an upright position. This is to reduce stress on their spine and ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

Choosing an infant car seat is a major investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a long lifespan. Pick a seat that can grow with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to the teen years. One product that our testers for parents 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 rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It's also among the lightest car seats that rotate on the market and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great option for parents who need to move their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your baby both in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for padded straps which fit snugly around their shoulders, and for plush fabric that feels good infant car seats beneath their stomachs. This is crucial in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long period of time.

The best infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors, the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make putting them on without the base easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness, which is important as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents scored 10/10 for its ease of use. It features an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow, without having to remove and replace the seat.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its convenience, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support your newborn's head and comes with an infant pillow that is soft to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limits, and it converts into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A good car seat is durable, and some have a warranty. Find a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to protect your child from accidents. It should also come with an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy, and an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It must also be easy to clean, since messes are inevitable when you have a baby. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat for newborn-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Easy of Use

A car seat should be simple to use and install especially if you're going to be using it in a different vehicle from time to time. To make it as simple as possible look for features such as the quick-release belt and an indicator that shows the condition of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several practical extras that our parent testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your child to be seated in a more comfortable position for longer trips. It can be paired with a compatible buggy to make an entire travel system. This is a great option for those who plan to travel for a long time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was simple to install and adjust. It has recline locks and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to ensure your child's safety. It's designed to be easily shifted from side-to-side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

The recline feature allows you to get your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is particularly useful if you suffer from back pain or have a small car. It also features an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you have a limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

This is an excellent option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers at an affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will endure the test of time as well. Make sure to clean your cover frequently as smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the occasional sick toddler accident are sure to leave their mark!

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seat and opt for convertible models. However, most new mothers want something that will grow with their child into the age of toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most versatile that allow you to change from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and it can be used as a booster seat once your child is ready to be one.

An ideal infant car seat newborn car seat is light, making it easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features and is lightweight baby car seat (8.4 pounds, including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to high-end features 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 taken into consideration. For instance, certain car seats come with a 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 they are attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can also be used with a standard seatbelt without the base, which is a bonus for parents who regularly use taxis or travel with their child. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it simple to get your baby in and out of the seat.

Additionally, the design of the car seat is crucial. It should fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that can grow along with your child into a booster, choose a model that has a reclined backrest and side impact protection. Check that the baby seat car seat you pick is iSize-compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.