How to Choose the best car seat for newborn Car Seat Newborn

The most suitable car seat for a newborn is one that complies with all federal safety standards and fits in your car. It should also come with convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller, and be within 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 quality car seat will come with additional features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the head and shoulders as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact safety.

The ease of installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. In the ideal scenario, you'll be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort and with clear indicators that it's secure, level, and positioned correctly.

Look for features that make it easier to do this, such as built-in lock offs and belt guides that help you align the car seat with the seat belt. Also, you should avoid purchasing used car seats that might not have been tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not protect your child. If you must purchase an used car seat make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not a private person who doesn't have proof of ownership.

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

Choosing an infant car seat is a significant investment therefore you'll need to make sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Choose a seat that will grow with your child and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable from birth and is able to be used for up to 7 years.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy time. It has a 360-degree rotation that means you can switch it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest rotating car seat available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's the perfect option for parents who frequently transfer their children between cars or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

A well-designed infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby both in the seat and when you are installing it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that feels comfortable under their tummy, especially if they will be in the seat for long rides.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality with a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Some have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good infant car seats example. Our test subjects scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation and a recline lock indication. This allows you to switch between forward and rear-facing positions as your child grows without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our parents loved for its convenience, comfort and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your baby and includes pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.

A quality car seat is durable, and some even come with a warranty. Look for the seat with plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any accidents. It should also come with an aluminum frame to withstand the force of impact and a "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It should also be easy to clean, as messiness is inevitable with a child. Find a car seat with removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning easy.

Easy to Use

A car seat needs to be easy to install and use, especially if you're likely to be using it in a different vehicle from time to time. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, a gauge that shows the status of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as simple as you can.

The best car seat infant of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and cup holders. It has a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if are planning to travel for long durations of time.

The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat easy to set up and adjust. It has a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securing your child quick and easy. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the use of tools.

One of our most loved features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful when you have back pain or drive a small vehicle. It also has a reversible cup holder and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can also be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic feature for those who are tight in space or have back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great option for anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will stand the test of time also. Make sure to clean your cover frequently, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the odd sick toddler accident is sure to leave a marks!

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents prefer to skip infant car seats and opt for convertible models, most new mothers want a seat that can develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that lets you switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to remove from the base while your child is inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features, and is light (8.4 pounds including seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include 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 newborn Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The seat's design and the base must be considered as well. Some car seats come with an attached base that is locked into the buckles for seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when properly connected. These were a great option for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt without the base, which is a bonus for parents who frequently travel by taxi or travel with their infant. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without its base. It features a smooth swivel movement that makes it easy to get your child out and in the seat.

Additionally, the design of car seats is vital. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat that can develop with your baby until a booster, look for one with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat you choose is iSize-compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.