How to Choose the Best Car seat for newborn Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, is compatible with your vehicle, has convenient extras (like turning into the stroller) and fits within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car with ease, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to protect your baby and a quality one should have some additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts on the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.

Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it in place with minimum effort, and with clear signs that it's secure in its place, level, and placed correctly.

Look for features that allow you to do this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that help to align the car seat with the seat belt. Avoid buying used car seats that may not have been crash-tested, or which might have been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase an old one be sure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual 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 reduce strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they have a chance to breathe regularly.

You'll want a seat that will last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Choose a seat that is designed to adapt to your child's needs 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 children as young as birth, and is able to 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 which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's the perfect option for parents who frequently transfer their babies between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.

Comfort

A well-designed infant car seat will be comfortable for your child, both when they are in the seat and when you install it. Find straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear around their shoulders. Also, look for plush material that feels comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is especially important when you intend to use the seat for a long duration.

The most effective car seat for infants is also simple to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality with a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Some come with spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is particularly important as your child grows.

One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It features a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. This means that you can change between forward and rear-facing positions as your child grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.

Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our testers who were parents were impressed by its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded shoulder straps and headrest are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn 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 transforms to the position of a stroller.

A quality car seat is durable and some come with a guarantee. Look for a seat with robust materials and plenty of padding to safeguard your child from any injuries and the steel frame that can absorb impact energy and a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It must also be easy to clean, since spills are commonplace when you have a baby. Choose car seats with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning a breeze.

Ease of Use

It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is simple to install and use, especially when it is going to be used in different vehicles periodically. To make it as simple as possible, look for features such as a quick-release belt, an indicator to show the condition of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a user manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric, and a cupholder. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can be paired with a compatible buggy to make a complete travel system. This is a great option if you are planning to travel for a long time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to install and adjust. It has recline locks and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to ensure your child's safety. It's also designed to be easily shifted from side-to-side in the vehicle without the need for tools.

The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child into and out of the vehicle. This is particularly helpful when you have back pain or drive a small vehicle. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket 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 real lifesaver if you have a limited space or struggle with back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

It's a great option for anyone looking to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test of time. Be sure to clean the cover frequently as spills of yoghurt or biscuits that are crushed, or even sick toddler accidents will leave their footprints.

Design

Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're used in. Some parents prefer to leave infant car seat uk car seats out to opt for convertible models, the majority of new moms want something 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 typically has a greater weight and height limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat when your child is ready to be one.

A great car seat for your infant carrier seat newborn is lightweight and easy to lift from the base and carry with your baby in it. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but has a lot of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (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 for newborn uk 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 the seat should be considered. For instance, certain car seats have a specific base that locks into the vehicle's seat belt buckles as well as others with LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. Parents found these convenient, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt, but without the base this is a great benefit for parents who frequently use taxis or travel with their infant. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat.

Other important design considerations include whether a car seat comes with an open design, and how well it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a newborn infant car seats uk car seat that will expand with your child's growth to become a booster seat, choose a model that features a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Make sure the baby car seat you pick is iSize compliant and has the correct car-seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.