How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your car, has useful features (like turning into strollers) and fits within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat is easily removed and put into of any vehicle, particularly when you're constantly switching between rental cars, taxis or the vehicles of your grandparents.

Safety

A high-quality car seat will have extra features that are above the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot temperatures.

Installation and use of the seat is another important aspect to consider for safety. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

You can find features that will help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. You also want to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they might not have been tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and may not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase a used car seat ensure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual seller who does not have proof of ownership.

Another thing to keep in mind is to keep your child in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless they're in a lying-flat position. This is to prevent the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat to last for a long time as it is a significant investment. Pick a seat that can grow with your child's development and last through toddlerhood to teen years. One of the ones our parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable from birth and can be used until 7 years old.

Nuna pipa air rx is an additional alternative that can be used over a long period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation that means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It is also one of most light-weight car seats available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who move their child frequently between cars or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

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

The most effective car seat for infants is also user-friendly. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make installing without the base much easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the headrest and harness height that is essential as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicators. You can easily switch your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your newborn and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts into a stroller.

A good car seat is durable, and some even come with a guarantee. Find a seat that has sturdy materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from accidents, as well as a steel frame that absorbs impact energy and a "crumple zone" to help prevent crash damage. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have the growing age of a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat that has removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

Easy of Use

It is essential that a car seat be simple to install and use, especially in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles from time to time. To make it as simple as possible, look for features like a quick-release belt as well as an indicator to indicate the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.

The best car seats of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features, which our parent testers appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric, and a cupholder. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction 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 to be easy to put in and adjust. It has an indicator for recline and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securement of your child quick and simple. It's also designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that makes it easier to take your baby in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful when you have back pain or drive a car with a small size. It also has an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat is light and can be used without or with the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which could be a huge help if you have a limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's an excellent choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time as well. Be sure to clean the cover regularly as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their footprints.

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the vehicles they're placed in. Some parents prefer to leave infant car seats out and opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want a product that can continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in-one baby car seat, which allows 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 when your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to take off the base while your child is inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but has a lot of safety features and is super light (at 8.4 pounds with 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 for newborn car seat insert (you can find out more) Car Seat Group 0/0+ due to its premium extras like the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The seat's design and the base should be considered as well. Certain car seats have an attached base that is locked into the buckles for seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were useful for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seatbelts.

Certain infant car seats work with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their children. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base and features a smooth swivel, which allows you to easily take your baby in and out.

Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is an open design, and how well it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will develop with your baby until a booster, choose a model with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat you choose is iSize-compliant, and that it uses the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.