10 Sites To Help You Become An Expert In Best Car Seat Newborn How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The ideal car seat for a newborn is one that meets all safety standards of the federal government and fits in your car. It should also include convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller and also be within your budget. It's also important to ensure that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars or grandparents vehicles.

Safety

A good car seat comes with extra features that are above the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot cars, and side-impact protection.

Installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. Ideally, the seat must be easy to install and use, and with clear indicators of its height, position, and security.

There are features that will help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, which may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and might not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase an old one ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have evidence of ownership.

It's also important to remember that you should only allow your child in the car seat for up to two hours a day, unless it is in an upright position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they get a chance to breath regularly.

You'll want a seat to last a long time, because it's a major investment. Look for one that's designed to adapt to your child's needs and will last into toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our testers for parents were pleased with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as 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 can rotate 360 degrees, so you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seats on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's an excellent choice for parents who transfer their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

A good infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long rides.

The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. 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 important 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-change harness, 360-degree rotation and a recline lock indication. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-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 loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Pushchairs And Prams padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to accommodate the head of your infant and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limits and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.

A good car seat is durable, and some will even come with a guarantee. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and strong materials to protect your child from any accidents. It should also include a steel frame to absorb the force of impact, and an "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It is important to keep it clean as accidents are bound to happen when you have the growing age of a child. Choose a car seat with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning a breeze.

Simple to Use

It's important 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. To make it as easy as possible, look for features like a belt that can be released quickly, an indicator to show the condition 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 that our testers for parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric, and a cupholder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your child to be seated in a more comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be combined with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is perfect if you are planning to travel for long 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 which made securing your child quick and simple. It's also designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child into and out of the vehicle. This is especially helpful for those with back problems or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat is light and can be used with or without the base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great option if you're limited on space or suffer from back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists, and it was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.


It's a great choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test of time. Be sure to wash your cover often because smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident are sure to leave their marks!

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the cars they're installed in. While some parents opt to leave infant car seats out in favour of convertible models, most new moms want something that will develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a greater height and weight limit, and is often used as a booster seat when your child is old enough to need one.

The ideal car seat for a newborn is lightweight, making it easy to lift from the base and transport your baby in it. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, but it has a number of safety features and is light (8.4 pounds, including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, as 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 seat's design and the base should also 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 steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors especially when their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can also be utilized with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less 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 that can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your infant out and in the seat.

Other important considerations for design are whether the car seat is an open design, and how it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your baby into a booster, choose one with a reclining headrest and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that the infant car seat is i-Size certified and has the proper car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.