How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The most suitable car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits your car, has useful features (like making it a stroller) and works with your budget. It's also important to ensure that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car with ease, particularly if you often change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.
Safety
A high-quality car seat will have extra features that go above and beyond safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts on the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot temperatures.
Another important aspect to consider is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat must be easy to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.
There are features that make this easier like belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will help you align the car seat to your vehicle's seatbelt. Avoid buying 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 must buy an old one ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual seller who doesn't have proof of ownership.
Another thing to bear in your mind is to keep your child in the car seat for up to two hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.
You'll need a seat that can last for a long time, since it's an important investment. Pick a seat that can expand with your child's development and last from toddlerhood through the teen years. Our parent testers were very satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth, and is able to be used up to age 7.
Nuna pipa air rx is an additional option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats available and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who regularly 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 crucial that your child is comfortable in their car seat, both when they are in it and when you install it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders and plush fabric that is comfortable on their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.
The best infant car seat is also simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that come with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without the base much easier than ever. Other features can help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is particularly important as your child gets older.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave a 10/10 for its ease of use. It comes with an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow without the need to take off and replace the seat.
Another option is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and versatility. Its padding for the shoulder straps and headrests are designed to help support the head of your infant, and comes with pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts to the position of a stroller.
A good car seat will be durable, and some will even come with a guarantee. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and sturdy materials to shield your child from accidents. It should also include an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy, and an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.
User-Friendliness
A car seat must be easy to use and install, especially if you're likely to be using it in the same vehicle from time to time. To make it as simple as possible, look for features like a quick-release belt as well as an indicator to indicate 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 has a number of practical extras that our parent testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded, plush fabric and a cup holder. travel infant car seat has a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can also be used with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is ideal if you intend to travel for extended periods of time.
Our panelists reported that this car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with a recline lock indicator and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securing your child quick and easy. 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 get your baby out and into the vehicle. This is particularly helpful for those who have back issues or drive a small vehicle. It also has the ability to change the drink holder 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 also rotates 180 degrees, which could be a huge help if you have limited space or suffer from back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It's a great option for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-end fabric will also stand the test of time. Make sure to clean your cover frequently because smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident is sure to leave their marks!
Design
The styles of car seats are as varied as the cars they're placed in. Some parents prefer to leave infant car seats out and opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want a product that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible and allow you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height restriction and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is extremely lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, because it won 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 fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.
The design of the base and seat must be taken into consideration. For instance, some car seats use a special base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. These were a great option for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seat belts.
Some infant car seats can also be utilized 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 baby. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our parents who tested it. It can be used with or without the base and has a smooth swivel that allows you to easily take your baby in and out.
Also, the design of car seats is vital. It must fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're in search of an infant car seat that can expand with your child into a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that features an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat you choose is iSize compatible, and that it uses the correct car-seat attachment points, as required by UK law.