How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, is compatible with your car, has useful features (like turning into strollers) and is within your budget. It's also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A high-quality car seat comes with extra features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts on the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot temperatures.

Easy installation and use of the seat is an important aspect of safety. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, and with clear indicators of its height, position, and security.

Find features that allow you to do that, like locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that assist you align the car seat with the seatbelt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for safety, or which might have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase a used one ensure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have evidence of ownership.

It's also important to keep in mind that you should only leave your child in the car seats newborn seat up to two hours per day, unless it is in a flat position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they have a chance to breath regularly.

You'll want a seat that will last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Choose a seat that will grow with your child's development and last from toddlerhood through the teen years. One that our parent testers loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable from the time of birth and can be used up to 7 years.

Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a long time. It rotates 360 degrees, making it possible to change it from rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's the ideal choice for parents who often move their children between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby both in the seat and when you are installing it. Find straps with padding that fit snugly on their shoulders and plush fabric that feels comfortable under their tummy, especially if they will be in the seat for long rides.

The most effective car seat for infants is also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make fitting without the base easier than ever before. Other features will help you 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, a no-rethread easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, and a recline lock indication. You can easily switch your child's position 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 were impressed by its comfort and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its cushioned headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your infant and includes an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it converts into a stroller.

A good car seat is durable and some come with a warranty. Find a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to safeguard your child from any accidents. It should also come with a steel frame to absorb the force of impact as well as an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is important to keep it clean since accidents are likely to happen when you have children. To simplify cleaning, look for a car-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.

Simple to Use

A car seat must be simple to use and install, especially if you're likely to use it in an alternate vehicle at least once in a while. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, a gauge that indicates the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as easy as you can.

The best car seat newborn uk of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers loved, such as a padded harness and headrest as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It has a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if you are planning to travel for long durations of time.

Our panelists reported that the car seat was simple to set up and adjust. It comes with an indicator for recline and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made the process of securing your child simple. It's also designed to be moved from side to side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

The recline feature allows you to get your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful when you are suffering from back pain or drive a smaller car. It also features the ability to change the drink holder as well as a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

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 limited space or struggle with back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great option for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will last for a long time, too. Be sure to clean the cover often as spills of yoghurt and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick toddler accidents can leave a marks.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're installed in. Some parents choose to skip baby car seats and opt for a convertible model. However, most new mothers prefer a product that can grow with their child into the age of toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most flexible, allowing you to switch from rear-facing to forward facing infant car seat-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height restriction and can be used as a booster when your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for a newborn is lightweight and easy to lift it from the base and carry with your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, but it offers a lot of safety features, and is also light (8.4 pounds including 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 Group 0/0+, thanks to its high-end extras like the Dream drape and full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

The design of the base and the seat should be considered. Certain car seats have an attached base that is locked into the vehicle seat belt buckles. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when correctly attached. These were a great option for parents, especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.

Some infant car seats are compatible with regular seatbelts without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who frequently travel or travel with their babies. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our parent testers. 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.

Additionally, the design of the car seat is crucial. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that can grow with your baby into an adult, select a model with a reclining headrest and side impact protection. Check that the baby car seat you pick is iSize-compliant and has the proper car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.