How to Choose the Best car seat for newborn Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your car, has useful features (like changing into a stroller) and is within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car with ease especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A good infant car seats car seat comes with extra features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts on the head and shoulders as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.

Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

You can find features that can help you with this including belt guides and built-in lockoffs which will assist you in aligning the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase a used one, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in your mind is to keep your baby in the car seat for no more than two hours per day, unless they're in a lying-flat position. This is to avoid stress on their spine and ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last for a long time since it's an important investment. Select a seat that will develop with your child's age and last through toddlerhood to teen years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth, and can be used up to age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is another option that can be used over a long period of 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 the ideal choice for parents who often transfer their babies between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

It is essential that your child is at ease in their car seat both in it and when you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit snugly around their shoulders. Also, look for plush material that feels comfortable under their tummy. This is crucial when you intend to use the seat for a long time.

The best infant seat infant car seats are also easy to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make installing without a base more simple than ever before. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our test subjects gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support your baby seat's head, and it comes with an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it converts to an infant stroller.

A quality car seat is durable, and many come with a warranty. Find the seat with plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any injuries. It should also include steel frames to absorb impact energy and an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It should also be easy to clean, since spills are commonplace with a baby. Look for car seats that have removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning a breeze.

Easy to Use

It is crucial that a car seat be easy to install and use, particularly if it will be used in a variety of vehicles periodically. Look for features like a quick-release buckle, an indicator that shows the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as simple as is possible.

The best car seats for newborns of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric and a cupholder. It also features a recline feature that allows your child to be seated in a more ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if you intend to travel for extended periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made the process of securing your child easy. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

One of our top features is the recline feature that helps you take your baby in and out of the car. This is particularly useful for those who have back problems or have a small car. It also has the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat is lightweight and can be used in conjunction with or without the base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have limited space or are suffering from back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists and was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

This is an excellent option for those looking to transform their car seats into strollers for a reasonable price. Its sleek design and high-end material will also stand the test time. Just don't forget to wash your cover often because smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the occasional sick toddler accident will be sure to leave a mark!

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents choose to skip infant car seat in favor of a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers are looking for something that can expand with their child through the age of toddlerhood. The most versatile choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that allows you to change between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a greater height and weight limit, and is often used as a booster seat if your child is ready to be one.

The ideal infant car seat for babies is light and easy to lift off the base while your child is inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). 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+, thanks to its high-end extras like 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, some car seats come with a base that locks into 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. Parents appreciated these connectors, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less, which is a bonus for parents who frequently take taxis or need to travel with their infant. 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 has a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.

The design of a car seat is important. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you are looking for an infant car seat that will grow along with your child's growth into a booster pick a model that has an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure that the infant car seat you choose is iSize compatible and also has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.