How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The most suitable car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your car, has useful features (like making it a stroller) and is within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat is easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, particularly when you frequently switch between rental cars, taxis or grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A quality car seat will have extra features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot cars, and side-impact protection.
Another important aspect to consider is the ease to set up and use the seat. In the ideal scenario, you'll be in a position to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indicators that it's safe in its place, level, and placed correctly.
There are many features that will aid in this process including belt guides and built-in locks which will assist you in aligning the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and might not protect your child. If you have to buy an used car seat ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller isn't a private person who has no evidence of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours per day, unless you are in an upright position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they have a chance to breath regularly.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is a major investment, so you'll want to be sure that it has a long life span. Choose a seat that will expand with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to teens. 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 an alternative 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-weight car seats on the market and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's the perfect option for parents who frequently move their children between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's homes.
Comfort
A quality infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both in the seat and when you install it. Look for straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.
The best infant car seats are simple to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make putting them on without the base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the harness height and headrest, which is important as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It features a clear, simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as a recline lock indication. This means you can 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 another example. Our parent testers were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support your newborn's head, and it comes with a soft infant pillow to ensure they are comfortable. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it converts into the position of a stroller.
A high-quality car seat is durable, and some will even come with a warranty. Look for a seat with sturdy materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your baby from any accidents and an aluminum frame that suffocates the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to help prevent crash damage. It must be easy to clean as accidents are bound to happen with children. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat that has removable covers and a machine washable pad.
Easy to Use
A car seat needs to be simple to use and install especially if you're going to be using it in an alternate vehicle from time to time. To make it as easy as possible, look for features like the quick-release belt, an indicator to show the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.
The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several useful extras that our parents testers loved, including the headrest and harness that are padded, plush fabric and a cup holder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if plan on traveling for long periods of time.
It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple 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 ensure your child's safety. It's also designed to be moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is especially useful when you are suffering from back pain or have a smaller vehicle. It also features an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is an excellent feature if you are limited in space or suffer from back pain. car seat newborn were awed by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's a great option for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time, too. Don't forget to wash the cover often as spills of yoghurt and biscuits that have been crushed and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.
Design
Car seats come in a variety of designs as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to not use an baby car seats in favor of convertible models. However, most new mothers want something that can grow with their child into the toddler years. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible that allow you to change between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
A great car seat for your infant newborn car seat is light, making it easy to lift from the base and carry with your baby in it. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colors, but comes with plenty 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 full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.
The design of the base and seat should be taken into consideration. For example, some car seats have a specific base that is secured to the buckles of the seat belts, while others have LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. These were useful for parents, particularly when the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.
Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less that is great for parents who regularly take taxis or need to travel with their child. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our parents who tested it. It can be used either with or without the base, and it has a smooth swivel, which allows you to easily take your baby in and out.
Other important design considerations include whether the car seat is a flat design, and how it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat that will grow with your baby into a booster, choose one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your selected infant car seat is iSize compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points as per UK law.