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

The best car seats infant car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your car, has useful features (like making it a stroller) and fits within your budget. It's also important to ensure that the baby seat car seat clicks into and out of your car without difficulty, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A quality car seat will have extra features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded cushions on the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.

Installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. Ideally, you want to be in a position to snap it in place with minimum effort, and with clear signs that it's safe in its place, level, and placed correctly.

There are many features that can help you with this including belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat with your car's seatbelt. Also, you should avoid buying used car seats that may not be crash-tested or have been in an accident and might not protect your child. If you must purchase an old car seat, ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not a private person who does not have evidence of ownership.

It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your child in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless it's in a flat position. This is to reduce stress on their spine and ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

Choosing an infant car seat is a significant investment, therefore you'll need to make sure it has a long lifespan. Look for one that's designed to adapt to your child's needs, which will last through toddlerhood and through the teen years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth and can be used until age 7.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy time. It rotates 360 degrees, so you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who need to move their baby between vehicles frequently or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is crucial that your baby feels at ease in their car seat both while they are in it and after you install it. Find straps with padding that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long drives.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make installing without a base more simple than ever. Other features let you adjust the headrest and harness height, which is important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your baby grows without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parents who tested it were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby reaches the maximum height or weight limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.

A good car seat is sturdy and many come with a guarantee. Choose an item that is made up of padding and strong materials to safeguard your child from accidents. It should also include a steel frame to absorb the impact energy and a "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It should also be easy to clean, since spills are commonplace when you have a baby. Find a car seat with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleanup a breeze.

Simple to Use

It is essential that a car seats by age seat be simple to install and use, particularly if it will be used in a variety of vehicles periodically. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, a gauge that shows the status of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as stress-free as you can.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our testers for parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material and cup holders. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can be paired with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system. This is a great option if you are planning to travel for a long duration.

It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat to be easy to install and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made the process of securing your child easy. It's also designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that helps you take your baby in and out of the car. This is especially useful if you suffer from back issues or drive a car with a small size. It also comes with the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which could be a real lifesaver if you are in a tight space or are suffering from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-end materials will stand up to the test time. Make sure to clean the cover frequently as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're installed in. While some parents choose to skip infant car seats to opt for convertible models, most new moms want a product 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 rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and 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 testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colors, but has a lot of safety features and is extremely light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The base and seat design should be considered as well. For example, some car seats use a special base that locks into the buckles on the seat belts, while others have steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. These were a great option for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats are compatible with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their infants. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT, which 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 design considerations are whether a car seat comes with a flat design, and how it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will develop with your child to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that features a reclined backrest and side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compatible and has the right car seat attachment points as per UK law.