How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into the stroller) and is within your budget. It's also worth checking that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car easily especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to ensure your baby is safe and a quality one should include extra features beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot car, and side-impact protection.

The ease of installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it into place with minimal effort and with clear indicators that it's secure and level, as well as positioned properly.

You can find features that can aid in this process like belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used one be sure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it's best to keep your baby in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they are lying down in a supine position. This is to prevent the spine from becoming strained and to ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat to last a long time, because it's a major investment. Choose a seat that will expand with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to the teen years. Our parents were pleased with the Axkid nania start i booster car seat - toucan-Size. It is suitable for children from birth and can be used until age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is a second option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means you can switch it from rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It is also one of lightest rotating car seat available that weighs 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

A quality infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders and plush fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long drives.

The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some also come with spring-loaded leveling legs as well as belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the harness height and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our parent testers scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicator. This allows you to switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your baby grows without needing to remove the seat and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. 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 used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it transforms to an infant stroller.

A high-quality car seat is durable, and many come with a guarantee. Look for the seat with plenty of padding and sturdy materials to protect your child from accidents. It should also come with an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy and an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is also easy to clean as messes are inevitable when you have a baby. Choose a car seat with removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning easy.

User-Friendliness

It is essential that a car seat be simple to install and use, particularly if it will be used in a variety of vehicles from time to time. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, a gauge that displays the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as easy as possible.

The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several useful extras that our parents testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded with a plush material and a cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position during longer journeys. It can be used in conjunction with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is a great option when you plan to travel for a long period of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to set up and adjust. It comes with recline locks and a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It's also designed to be moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

One of our most loved features is the recline feature that makes it easier to get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful if you suffer from back pain or drive a car with a small size. It also features a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat is light and can be used in conjunction with or without the base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great feature for those who are tight in space or have back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time also. Make sure to clean the cover often as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed and even sickening accidents with toddlers will leave their marks.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're used in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seats and opt for convertible models. However, most new mothers want something that will expand with their child through the toddler years. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and can be used as a Nania Princess Booster Seat - Ideal for Ages 8-12 once your child is old enough.

A great car seat for your infant newborn is lightweight, making it easy to lift from the base and then carry your baby in it. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors however it comes with a wide array of safety features, and is light (8.4 pounds, including 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+ with its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The design of the base and seat must be considered. Some car seats come with bases that lock into the vehicle buckles for seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly attached. Parents appreciated these connectors, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats work with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who frequently travel or travel with their babies. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base and has a smooth swivel that allows you to easily get your baby in and out.

Other important considerations for design are whether a car seat has a lie flat design, and how well it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a newborn infant car seat that will grow along with your child to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that has an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.