How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seats car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into strollers) and works with your budget. It's also worth ensuring the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car without difficulty, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

A quality car seat will come with additional features that go beyond the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot vehicles, and side-impact protection.

Another important safety consideration 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 indicators that it's secure and level, as well as positioned properly.

There are many features that can aid in this process including belt guides and built-in lockoffs which will assist you in aligning the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. Avoid buying 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 car seat be sure that it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have proof of ownership.

It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your child in the car seat for Newborn seat for up to two hours a day, unless it is in an upright position. This is to avoid strain on their developing spine and ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last for a long time because it's a major investment. Choose a seat that is designed to adapt with your child, which will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. Our parents were pleased with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth, and is able to be used up to age 7.

Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees, so you can change it from rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It is also one of most lightweight car seats available, weighing less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who move their child frequently between cars or are planning to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is essential that your baby is comfortable in their car seat both when they are in it and after you install it. Look for padded straps that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, particularly if they will be in the seat for long rides.

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

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate that our testers from the past gave a 10/10 for its ease of use. It has an easy, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa aire rx, which our testers who were parents loved for its convenience, comfort and flexibility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are designed to support your newborn's head, and it comes with a soft infant pillow to keep them comfy. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby reaches the maximum height or weight limit and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A high-quality car seat is durable and some even come with a warranty. Look for a seat with solid materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your baby from any accidents, as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to help prevent crash damage. It must also be easy to clean as messiness is inevitable with a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat that has removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.

Ease of Use

A car seat needs to be simple to use and install particularly if you're likely to use it in an alternate vehicle at times. To make it as simple as possible look for features like the quick-release belt and an indicator that shows the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features that our testers for parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and cup holders. It has a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position during longer journeys. It can be paired with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is perfect if you are planning to travel for a long period of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to install and adjust. It features recline locks and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the use of tools.

One of our favorite features is the reclining feature that makes it easier to get your infant car seat for travel in and out of the car. This is especially helpful when you are suffering from back pain or have a smaller vehicle. It also comes with a reversible drink holder, as well as a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.

The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be set up with or without its base. It can also be rotated 180 degrees. This is an excellent feature for those who are tight in space or have back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists, and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium material will also stand the test of time. Be sure to clean the cover regularly as yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick accidents with toddlers will leave their marks.

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seat in favor of a convertible model. However, most new mothers want something that can grow with their child into the toddler years. The most versatile choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that allows you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.

The ideal car seat for a newborn is lightweight which makes it easy to lift from the base and carry with your baby in it. Our parent testers 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, because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards best car seat infant Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and seat must be considered. For instance, some car seats use a special base that is secured to the buckles of the seat belts and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. These were convenient for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt that is not base-less that is great for parents who regularly take taxis or need to travel with their child. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby out and in the seat.

Other important considerations for design are whether a car seat has a lie flat design, and how it fits into your particular 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 a model with a reclining headrest and side impact protection. Make sure that the infant carrier seat car seat you select is iSize compatible and has the correct car-seat attachment points, as required by UK law.