Best Car Seat Newborn: What No One Is Talking About
How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for newborns is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into strollers) and is 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 switch between taxis or trips in hire cars and grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A good car seat will have extra features that go beyond the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts to the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot cars and side-impact protection.
Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, with clear indicators of its height, position, and security.
Find features that allow you to do this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that assist you line up the car seat with the seat belt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been crash-tested or been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase a used car seat ensure that it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who doesn't have proof of ownership.
It is also important to remember that you should only leave your child in the car seat for up to two hours a day, unless it is in a flat position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.
The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment so you'll want to make sure that it has a long life span. Select a seat that will grow with your child's age and last through toddlerhood to teens. One of the ones our parents loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and can be used until 7 years.
The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees, making it possible to change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seats on the market and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's an excellent choice for parents who move their baby between vehicles frequently or are planning to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
It is crucial that your baby feels comfortable in their car seat, both while they are in it and after you install it. Look for padded straps that fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is soft under their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long drives.
The Best Car Seat For Newborn infant car seats are easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make installing without the base easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which our parent testers gave a 10/10 for its ease of use. It comes with an easy, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your baby grows, without needing to take the seat off and replace it.
Another example is the Nuna Pipa aire rx, which our parents loved for its ease of use, comfort and its versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to help support the head of your infant and comes with pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child is at the maximum height or weight limit. It then converts to an infant stroller.
A high-quality car seat is sturdy and many have a warranty. Look for an item that is made up of padding and sturdy materials to safeguard your child from any injuries. It should also include steel frames to absorb the force of impact as well as an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It should also be easy to clean, since messiness is inevitable with a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.
Easy of Use
A car seat needs to be easy to use and install particularly if you're likely to use it in a different vehicle at least once in a while. To make it as easy as possible look for features like a quick-release belt, an indicator to show the condition 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 parents loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush material and cup holders. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in an ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is ideal when you plan to travel for a long period of time.
Our panelists noted that the car seat was simple to install and adjust. It has recline lock indicators and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made securement of your child quick and easy. 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 take your baby into and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful for those who have back issues or drive a small vehicle. It also comes with the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.
The seat is light and can be used without or with the base. It can also be rotated 180 degrees. This is an excellent feature if you are limited on space or have back pain. Our panelists were awed by this feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
This is a great option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers at affordable prices. Its sleek design and premium material will also stand the test time. Be sure to clean the cover regularly as yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a mark.
Design
Car seats come in a variety of designs as the vehicles they're placed in. While some parents opt to leave infant car seat newborn car seats out in favour of convertible models, the majority of new mothers want a seat that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in-one baby car seat, which allows you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height restriction and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
An ideal portable infant car seat car seat newborn car seat is light which makes it easy to lift from the base and transport your child. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but has a lot of safety features and is extremely light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other standout models include the Nuna PIPA URbN which was the winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ with its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The design of the base and seat should also be considered. For example, some 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 attached correctly. Parents found these convenient, especially if their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Certain infant car seats can be used with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel often or travel with their infants. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without the base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it easy to get your infant out and in the seat.
Also, the design of a car seat is important. It must fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat newborn insert seat compatibility). If you're in search of a newborn infant car seat that can expand with your child's development to become a booster seat make sure you choose a seat with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you select is iSize compliant, and that it uses the proper car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.
