How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The ideal car seat for a newborn is one that meets all safety standards of the federal government and fits your vehicle. It should also include convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller and be within your budget. It's also worth checking that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car without difficulty especially if you frequently change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
Car seats are designed to keep your baby safe and a safe one should have some additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot car and side-impact safety.
The ease of installation and use of the seat is an important aspect to consider for safety. Ideally, you should be able to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's safe in its place, level, and placed correctly.
There are many features that make this easier including belt guides and built-in locks to help you align the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for crash or been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you must buy an old one be sure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who doesn't have evidence of ownership.
It's also important to remember that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless it is in an upright position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they have a chance to breathe regularly.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy life span. Find one that's designed to grow with your child that will last through toddlerhood and through the teen years. Our testers for parents were pleased with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth and can be used until age 7.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used over a long period of time. It has a 360-degree rotation which means that you can switch it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest car seats that rotate available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great 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
It is crucial that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both while they are in it and after you install it. Find straps with padding that fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.
The most effective infant car seat is also user-friendly. Some feature premium LATCH connectors, the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make putting them on without the base easier than ever before. Other features let you adjust the height of the headrest and harness that is essential as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our testers from our parent company scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. You can easily switch your child's seat 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 and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padded headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your baby and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it converts into an infant stroller.
A quality car seat will last and many have a warranty. Find a seat that has plenty of padding and sturdy materials to safeguard your child from accidents. It should also come with steel frames to absorb the force of impact and a "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have children. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat that has removable covers and a machine washable pad.
Ease of Use
It is essential that a car seat is easy to install and use, particularly when it is going to be used in a variety of vehicles at times. Look for features like an easy-release buckle, an indicator that displays the status of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as stress-free as you can.
car seat newborn insert Push Chairs & Prams of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful features that our testers for parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and cup holders. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to be seated in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can also be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system, which is perfect if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.
The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat to be easy to put in and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made the process of securing your child simple. It's also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is particularly useful for those who have back issues or drive a car with a small size. It also comes with an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat is lightweight and can be used without or with the base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic feature if you are limited in space or have back pain. Our panelists were awed by this new feature which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
This is a great option for those who want to convert their car seats into strollers at a reasonable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will endure the test of time also. Make sure to clean your cover often because smashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident are sure to leave a marks!
Design
The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents prefer to not use infant car seats to opt for convertible models, the majority of new mothers want a seat that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most versatile, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
An ideal infant car seat newborn is lightweight, making it easy to lift from the base and then carry your child. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is super lightweight (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 Group 0/0+ category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.
The design of the seat and base must also be taken into consideration. Some car seats have a base that locks into the vehicle seat belt buckles. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base once properly connected. Parents found these convenient particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who frequently travel or take taxis with their babies. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without the base. It features a smooth swivel movement that makes it easy to get your infant into and out of the seat.
Also, the design of a car seat is important. It must fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a newborn infant car seat that can expand with your child's development to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat that has a reclined backrest and side impact protection. Check that the baby car seat you pick is iSize-compliant and has the proper car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.