How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The ideal car seat for a new baby is one that meets all federal safety standards and is compatible with your vehicle. It should also come with practical extras, such as the capability to transform into a stroller and also be within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat can be easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, particularly when you're constantly switching between rental cars, taxis or your grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A good car seat will have extra features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact safety.
Easy installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. Idealy, the seat should be easy to install and use, as well as clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.
Find features that help you 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. Also, you should avoid purchasing used car seats, as they may not be crash-tested or have been in an accident, and could not protect your child. If you must purchase a used car seat, make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not an individual who does not have proof of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless you are in an upright 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 significant investment therefore you'll need to make sure that it has a long life span. Look for one that's designed to grow with your child that will last through toddlerhood and through the teen years. One that our parent testers loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable from birth and is able to be used up to 7 years.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a lengthy period of time. It can rotate 360 degrees that means you can move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the most lightweight car seats on the market that weighs less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who regularly transfer their babies between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Choose padded straps that fit snugly around their shoulders, and look for soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomachs. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long time.
The most effective infant car seats are also simple 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 easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is especially crucial as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It features an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness, as well as an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow without needing to take out and replace the seat.
Another example is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn and includes an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby reaches the maximum height or weight limit, and it converts into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A quality car seat is durable and some even come with a warranty. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to shield your child from any injuries and a steel frame that absorbs the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It must also be easy to clean as messiness is inevitable with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
User-Friendliness
A car seat needs to be simple to install and use especially if you're going to use it in a different vehicle at times. To make it as easy as possible you should look for features like a quick-release belt, an indicator to show the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.
The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features, which our parent testers appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material and a cupholder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is perfect if you intend to travel for extended durations of time.
The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It comes with an indicator for recline and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securement of your child quick and simple. It's designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
One of our favorite features is the recline feature that allows you to easily get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful if you suffer from back pain or drive a car with a small size. It also comes with a reversible drink holder, and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat is light and can be used without or with the base. It can also be rotated 180 degrees. This is a great option if you're limited on space or have back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature, which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's a great choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time, too. Be sure to clean the cover often as yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a marks.
Design
The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're installed in. Some parents opt to not use an baby car seats and opt for convertible models. However, the majority of new mothers are looking for something that can develop with their child as they reach the toddler years. All-in-one car seats are most versatile, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height restriction and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for newborns is lightweight and easy to remove from the base while your child is inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, but it has a number of safety features and is also light (8.4 pounds including canopy and seat inserts). 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+ due to its premium extras like the Dream drape and full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The base and seat design must be considered as well. Some car seats come with bases that lock into the buckles for seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base once properly attached. These were convenient for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seatbelts.
Some infant car seats can be utilized with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less, which is a bonus for parents who regularly take taxis or need to travel with their infant. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without the base. It features a smooth swivel movement that makes it simple to get your infant out and in the seat.
Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has a lie flat design, and how it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a new infant car seat that can grow along with your child's development into a booster seat, choose a model with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your chosen infant car seat is iSize compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points according to UK law.