The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Car Seat Newborn

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 vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into the stroller) and fits within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially when you're constantly switching between rental cars, taxis or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to keep your baby safe, and a good one should have some extra features beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts to the shoulders and head, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact safety.

Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort, and with clear signs that it's secure in its place, level, and placed correctly.

You can find features that can make this easier including belt guides and built-in lockoffs which will assist you in aligning the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been crash-tested or been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you must purchase an old car seat, make sure that it has an expiration date and that the seller isn't an individual who has no evidence of ownership.

It's also important to remember that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours per day, unless you are in a flat position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they get a chance to breath regularly.

You'll want a seat that will last a long time, because it's a major investment. Look for one that's designed to adapt with your child, which will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children from birth and can be used up to age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is another option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seat on the market that weighs less than nine pounds. It's a great option for parents who need to move their baby between vehicles frequently or are planning to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

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

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

Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good infant car seats example. Our test subjects scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. You can easily switch your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without needing to take out and replace the seat.

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

A good car seat is durable, and some come with a warranty. Look for a seat with sturdy materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your baby from any accidents and an aluminum frame that suffocates impact energy and a "crumple zone" to help prevent crash damage. It should also be easy to clean, since spills are commonplace with a child. Find car seats that have removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleaning a breeze.

Easy to Use

It is crucial that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, particularly in the event that it will be used in a variety of vehicles at times. Look for features like a quick-release buckle, an indicator that shows the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as stress-free as possible.

The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several useful extras that our parents testers loved, 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 be seated in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can also be used with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if are planning to travel for long periods of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to install and adjust. It comes with a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made securing your child quick and simple. It's also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the need for tools.

One of our top features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant into 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 the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you have a limited space or struggle with back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this feature, which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's an excellent choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time also. Make sure to clean the cover regularly because yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, or even sick toddler accidents will leave their mark.

Design

The designs of car seats can be as diverse as the cars they're placed in. While some parents opt to not use infant car seat inserts for newborns seats in favour of a convertible model, most new moms want a product that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat that allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

A great car seat for your infant newborn car seat is lightweight which makes it easy to lift from the base and transport your child. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is super light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, as it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and seat must also be considered. For instance, some car seats come with a base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. These were useful for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seatbelts.

Certain infant car seat travel car seats work with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel often or travel with their infants. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it easy to get your baby out and in the seat.

Also, the design of a car seat is important. 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 newborn that will grow with your baby into a booster, choose one with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you choose is iSize compliant and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.