17 Reasons Not To Avoid Best Car Seat Newborn
How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The ideal car seat for a new baby is one that complies with all safety standards set by the federal government and is compatible with your vehicle. It should also have useful extras, like the capability to convert into a stroller and be within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat can be easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, particularly when you're constantly switching between taxis, rental cars or the vehicles of your grandparents.
Safety
A high-quality car seat will come with additional features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot vehicles, and side-impact protection.
Another important safety consideration is how easy it is to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.
Look for features that make it easier to accomplish this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that can help you align the car seat with the vehicle's seat belt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, which might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and might not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used car seat ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by a private seller who doesn't have evidence of ownership.
It is also important to remember that you should only leave your baby in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless you are in an upright position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they get a chance to breath regularly.
You'll want a seat to last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Choose baby seat that will develop with your child and last through toddlerhood to teen years. One of the ones our parents loved was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from the time of birth and can be used until 7 years old.
The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy time. It has a 360-degree rotation, which means you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest car seats that rotate on the market, and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's the ideal 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 child is comfortable in their car seat, both while they are in it and after you install it. Look for straps that are padded to are comfortable to wear on their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft under their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long trips.
The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Others have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the harness height and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a good example. Our test subjects gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It features a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to adjust harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicator. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your baby grows, without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parents who tested it loved it for its comfort simple and adaptability. Its padded headrest and shoulder straps are designed to support the head of your infant and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max weight or height limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A high-quality car seat is durable, and some even come with a warranty. Look for an item that is made up of padding and strong materials to shield your child from accidents. It should also have steel frames to absorb the impact energy, and an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It is also easy to clean, as spills are commonplace with a child. Choose a car seat with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.
Easy of Use
A car seat needs to be simple to install and use, especially if you're likely to be using it in a different vehicle at times. To make it as easy as possible, look for features like a quick-release belt and an indicator that shows the status 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 variety of practical extras that our parent testers adored, such as an padded headrest and padded harness as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can also be combined with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if you are planning to travel for long periods of time.
Our panelists found that the car seat was easy to install and adjust. It features recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side in the vehicle easily without the need for tools.
One of our top features is the reclining feature that makes it easier to get your infant in and out of the car. This is especially helpful for those with back problems or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has the ability to change the drink holder and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic option if you're limited in space or have back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to convert their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time as well. Be sure to clean the cover frequently because yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their mark.
Design
The designs of car seats can be as diverse as the vehicles they're installed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seats in favor of convertible models. However, the majority of new mothers want something that will develop with their child as they reach toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most versatile that allow you to change 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 infants for babies is light and easy to remove from the base with your child inside. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with 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 since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ category, thanks to top-of-the-line features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.
The design of the seat and base should be considered as well. For instance, certain car seats use a special base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Certain infant car seats work with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or travel with their babies. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without its base. It features a smooth swivel movement that makes it easy to get your child out and in the seat.
Other important design considerations are whether a car seat has an open design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat newborn that will develop with your baby until a booster, choose one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your chosen infant car seat is i-Size certified and has the proper car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.