Don t Buy Into These "Trends" About Best Car Seat Newborn
How to Choose the best car seats infant Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like changing into a stroller) and works with your budget. It's also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks 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 keep your baby safe and a safe one should include extra features beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the shoulders and head and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.
Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.
You can find features that can help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. You also want to avoid buying used car seats, which may not be crash-tested or have been in an accident, and could not protect your child. If you must purchase an old car seat, make sure that it has an expiration and that the seller isn't a private person who doesn't have proof of ownership.
It's 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 a flat position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they are able to breath regularly.
Choosing an infant car seat is a significant investment, so you'll want to be sure it has a long lifespan. Look for one that's designed to adapt with your child and will last into the toddler years and on into the teenage years. Our 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 a different option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees making it possible to change it from rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It's also among the lightest car seats that rotate on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who frequently move their children between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
It is essential that your child is at ease in their car seat, both when they are in it and after you install it. Look for straps that are padded to fit snugly on their shoulders, and soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long trips.
The best infant car seat swivel car seats are simple to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that come with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without the base easier than ever before. Other features will help you adjust the height of the harness and headrest, which is important as your child gets older.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation, as well as a recline lock indication. You can easily switch your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn and includes an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max weight or height limits and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A good car seat is durable and many come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your child from any injuries, as well as the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It is important to keep it clean since accidents are likely to happen with the growing age of a child. Find a car seat with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.
Simple to Use
It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, especially if it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. Look for features such as a quick-release buckle, an indicator that indicates the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as simple as is possible.
The best car seats for newborns of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our testers for parents loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush fabric and a cupholder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable position during longer journeys. It can also be used with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if plan on traveling for long durations of time.
Our panelists noted that this car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It has recline locks and an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle easily without the use of tools.
The recline feature makes it easier for you to get your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful when you have back pain or drive a car with a small size. 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 rotate 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you are in a tight space or struggle with back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's a great option for anyone who wants to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time, too. Be sure to clean the cover regularly because yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick toddler accidents can leave a mark.
Design
Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seat and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that will grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most flexible and allow you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It typically has a higher height and weight limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat once your child is ready to be one.
The ideal infant car seat for babies is light and easy to lift off the base with your child inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, but it has a number of safety features, and is light (8.4 pounds including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat For Newborn Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, like the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.
The design of the seat and base should be considered. For instance, certain car seats have a specific base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors especially when their car only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Certain infant car seats are compatible with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their children. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without the base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it simple to get your child out and in the seat.
Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is an open design, and how it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a newborn infant car seat travel car seat that can grow along with your child's growth to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that has a reclined backrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that the infant car seat swivel car seat is iSize certified and has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.