How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The most suitable car seat for a new baby is one that meets all safety standards of the federal government and is compatible with your vehicle. It should also have useful extras, like the capability to convert into a stroller and also be within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car with ease, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe, and a good one should include additional features that go beyond the 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 protection.

Another important aspect to consider is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be able to snap it in place with minimum effort and with clear indications that it's safe in its place, level, and placed correctly.

There are many features that can aid in this process, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat to your car's seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for crash, or which might have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used one, make sure it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have evidence of ownership.

It is also important to remember that you should only allow your baby in the car seat for up to two hours a day, unless you are in an upright position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they have a chance to breath regularly.

Selecting a car seat for your infant car seat for travel is a major investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy life span. Choose a seat that will expand with your child's development and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. Our testers for parents were satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth and can be used up to age 7.

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

Comfort

It is essential that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both in it and after you install it. Find straps with padding that fit comfortably on their shoulders and plush fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, especially when they are in the seat for long drives.

The best infant car seat for travel car seats are also simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force multiplier that tightens the seat. Others come with spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base simpler than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the headrest and harness which is crucial as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers scored 10/10 for ease of use. It has a simple, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parent testers loved for its ease of use, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support the head of your newborn, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it transforms into a stroller.

A quality car seat is sturdy and some even come with a warranty. Look for a seat with solid materials and plenty of padding to shield your baby from accidents and the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should also be easy to clean, since messes are inevitable with a baby. To simplify cleaning, look for a car-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Ease of Use

A car seat needs to be easy to install and use particularly if you're likely to use it in an alternate vehicle from time to time. 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 simple-to-read manual to make it as stress-free as possible.

The best infant carrier car seat of The Bump winner comes with a variety of practical features that our parent testers loved, such as a padded harness and headrest, plush fabric and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to be seated in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can be paired with a compatible buggy for an entire travel system. This is a great option if you are planning to travel for a long time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was simple to put in and adjust. It comes with a recline lock indicator and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes the process of securing your child easy. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the need for tools.

The reclining feature allows you to get your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful when you are suffering from back pain or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with a reversible cup holder and a handy pocket for toys and snacks.

The seat is lightweight and can be used without or with the base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is an excellent 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 an excellent option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers at affordable prices. Its sleek design and high-end material will also stand the test of time. Make sure to clean your cover regularly because smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave a marks!

Design

Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're used in. Some parents prefer to skip infant car seats in favour of convertible models, most new mothers want a seat that can develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in-one baby car seat, which allows you to change between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and it is often used as a booster seat once your child is old enough to need one.

The ideal infant car seat newborn car seat for babies is light and easy to take off the base while your child is inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is extremely light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN which was the winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+, thanks to its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The base and seat design should also be taken into consideration. Some car seats have bases that lock into the vehicle seat belt buckles. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when properly joined. Parents found these convenient, especially if their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

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

Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is a flat design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat newborn that will grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, choose one that has a reclining headrest and side impact protection. Check that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.