How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seats for newborns uk car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your car, has useful features (like changing into a stroller) and fits within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat can be easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially when you frequently switch between rental cars, taxis or the vehicles of your grandparents.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe, and a good one should have some extra features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot temperatures.

Another important safety consideration is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be able to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's safe in its place, level, and placed properly.

You can find features that will aid in this process like belt guides and built-in locks which will assist you in aligning the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid buying used car seats that may not have been tested for safety or been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you are forced to purchase a used car seat, make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller is not an individual who has no evidence of ownership.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your child in the car seat for no more than two hours per day unless they're in a lying-flat position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they get a chance to breath regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last a long time, as it is a significant investment. Choose a seat that will develop with your child's age and last from 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.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means that you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the most lightweight car seats available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who often transfer their babies between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

It is crucial that your baby is at ease in their car seat both while they are in it as well as when you install it. Look for padded straps that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that feels comfortable under their tummy, especially if they will be in the seat for long drives.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some come with spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base much easier than ever. Other features can help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is particularly crucial as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our testers from our parent company gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It features a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation and a recline lock indication. This means that you can change between forward and rear-facing positions as your baby grows, without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its comfort, simplicity and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are shaped to support your newborn's head, and it comes with an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum weight or height limits and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.

A quality car seat is sturdy and some come with a guarantee. Find a seat that has robust 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 sure to happen with the growing age of a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and a machine washable pad.

User-Friendliness

A car seat needs to be simple to use and install especially if you're going to be using it in an alternate vehicle at times. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, an indicator that displays 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 of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also features a recline feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is perfect if you intend to travel for extended durations of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to set up and adjust. It has a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securement of your child quick and simple. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle without tools.

The reclining feature makes it easier for you to take your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful if you have back issues or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great option if you're limited on space or have back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

This is a great choice for those looking to transform their car seats into strollers at a reasonable price. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time, too. Don't forget to wash the cover regularly because yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a footprints.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the vehicles they're placed in. While some parents choose to not use infant car seats in favour of a convertible model, most new moms want something that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most versatile, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and can often be used as a booster seat once your child is ready to be one.

The ideal infant car seat newborn car seat 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 couple of colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is incredibly light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN, winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for best car seat infant Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras like the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The base and seat design must be considered. For instance, some car seats have a specific base that locks into 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. These were convenient for parents, especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats best car seats can also be utilized with a regular seatbelt, but without the base, which is a bonus for parents who regularly use taxis or travel with their baby. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base, and has a smooth swivel, which makes it easier to take your baby in and out.

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