Check Out: How Best Car Seat Newborn Is Taking Over And What To Do

How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The most suitable car seat for a baby is one that complies with all safety standards set by the federal government and fits your vehicle. It should also come with convenient extras, such as the capability to transform into a stroller and be within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat can be easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially when you’re constantly switching between taxis, rental cars or grandparents’ vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are designed to keep your baby safe, and a good one should come with additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot car, and side-impact protection.

Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, you want to be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort, and with clear signs that it’s safe in its place, level, and placed properly.

You can find features that can make this easier including belt guides and built-in locks to help you align the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid buying used car seats that may 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 are forced to purchase an used car seat ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not a private person who has no evidence of ownership.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you should only leave your child in the car seat up to two hours per day, unless you are in an upright position. This is to prevent the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment so you’ll want to make sure that it has a long duration. Select a seat that will develop with your child and last from toddlerhood to the teen years. Our parent testers were very satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth, and can be used up to age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a long time. It rotates 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It’s also one of the lightest car seats that rotate on the market and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It’s a great choice for parents who frequently transfer their babies between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent’s homes.

Comfort

It is essential that your baby is at ease in their car seat, both in it as well as when you install it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders and plush fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long rides.

The best infant car seats are 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 to make installation without a base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness which is crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave a 10/10 for ease of use. It has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicators. You can easily switch your child’s seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parents who tested it loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn, and it comes with a soft infant pillow 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 high-quality car seat will be durable and some have a warranty. Find the seat with plenty of padding and durable materials to safeguard your child from any injuries. It should also come with steel frames to absorb the force of impact and an “crumple area” to prevent crash damage. It is also easy to clean as spills are commonplace when you have a baby. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

Ease of Use

It is essential that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, particularly in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, an indicator that indicates the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as easy as is possible.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our testers for parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and cup holders. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if intend to travel for extended durations of time.

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

The reclining feature makes it easier for you to take your baby out and into the vehicle. This is especially useful for those with back problems or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be set up with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic option if you’re limited on space or have back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is a great option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time as well. Don’t forget to wash the cover often as yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening accidents with toddlers will leave their marks.

Design

The designs of car seats are as varied as the cars they’re placed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that will expand with their child through the age of toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible and allow you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

A great car seat for your infant newborn is lightweight which makes it easy to lift it from the base and carry with your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors however it comes with a wide array of safety features and is lightweight (8.4 pounds, including seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are 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 like the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The seat’s design and the base must be considered as well. For instance, some car seats use a special base that locks into the vehicle’s seat belt buckles, while others have steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. These were a great option for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats can also be used with a regular seatbelt without the base this is a great benefit for parents who frequently use taxis or travel with their infant car seats on sale. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base, and it has a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby in and out.

Other important design considerations include whether a car seat comes with a lie flat design, and how well it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you’re looking for a newborn infant car seat that will grow along with your child’s development to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat with a reclined backrest and side impact protection. It’s also important to confirm that the infant car seat is iSize certified and pushchairsandprams has the proper car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.