How to Choose the best car seat newborn (click this link now)
The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into the stroller) and is within your budget. It is also important to ensure 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 the vehicles of your grandparents.
Safety
Car seats are designed to keep your baby safe and a quality one should come with additional features that go beyond the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.
Another crucial safety aspect is how easy it is to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.
There are features that make this easier like belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will 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 could not protect your child. If you must buy a used car seat ensure that it’s not expired and isn’t being sold by an individual who doesn’t have proof of ownership.
Another thing to bear in mind is to only leave your infant in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they are lying down in a supine position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they have a chance to breath regularly.
The choice of a car seat for infants is a major investment, so you’ll want to be sure it has a long lifespan. Pick a seat that can expand with your child’s age and last from toddlerhood through teen years. Our parent testers were very satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth, and can be used until age 7.
The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees making it possible to change it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It’s also one of the lightest rotating car seat on the market with a weight of less than nine pounds. It’s a great choice for parents who need to move their child frequently between cars or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
It is important that your baby feels comfortable in their car seat, both in it as well as when you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit snugly around their shoulders, and look for plush material that feels comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is especially important when you intend to use the seat for a long period of time.
The best car seat for infants is also simple to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Some also have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base simpler than ever. Other features can help you adjust the harness height and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. This allows you to switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your baby grows, without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our testers who were parents were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to help support the head of your newborn, and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it transforms to a stroller.
A good car seat will last and some have a warranty. Find a seat that has robust materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from any accidents and a steel frame that absorbs the impact energy and has a “crumple zone” to reduce the risk of damage. It must also be easy to clean, since messes are inevitable with a baby. Look for car seats that have removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleanup a breeze.
Easy to Use
A car seat must be easy to install and use especially if you’re going to use it in an alternate vehicle from time to time. To make it as simple as possible, look for features such as a belt that can be released quickly as well as an indicator to indicate the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.
The Best of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features, which our parent testers appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material and cup holders. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is ideal if plan on traveling for long durations of time.
Our panelists reported that the car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the need for tools.
The recline 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 have a small car. It also features a reversible drink holder, and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat is light and can be used in conjunction with or without the base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great option if you’re limited in space or suffer from back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time, too. Make sure to clean the cover regularly because yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a marks.
Design
Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they’re installed in. While some parents choose to skip infant car seats to opt for a convertible model, most new moms want a product that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a greater height and weight limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat when your child is old enough to need one.
The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to lift off the base with your child inside. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are the Nuna PIPA URbN and the Nuna PIPA URbN, which was a 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 base and seat must be considered. Some car seats have bases that lock into the buckles for the seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly attached. Parents have found these to be convenient especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats can also be utilized with a regular seatbelt without the base that is great for parents who often use taxis or travel with their baby. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your infant car seats that swivel out and in the seat.
Also, the design of the car seat is crucial. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you’re in search of a car seat newborn that will grow with your baby seat into a booster, choose one with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that your chosen infant car seat best car seat is i-Size compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.