How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like turning into a stroller) and fits within your budget. Also, make sure that the car seat is easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially when you frequently switch between taxis, rental cars or the vehicles of your grandparents.
Safety
Car seats are made to protect your baby and a quality one should have some extra features that go beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the shoulders and head and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.
Installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. Idealy, the seat should be easy to install and use, and with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.
Find features that allow you to accomplish this, such as built-in lock offs and belt guides that help you align the car seat with the seatbelt. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They may not be safe for your child. If you do decide to purchase an old one ensure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual seller who does not have evidence of ownership.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your child in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day unless they are in a lie-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 lengthy lifespan. Choose a seat that will expand with your child's age and last from toddlerhood to teen years. Our parent testers were very pleased 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 lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees that means you can change it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest rotating car seat on the market with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's a great option for parents who move their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
A well-designed infant car seat will be comfortable for your baby both in the seat and when you install it. Look for padded straps which fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable beneath their stomachs. rear facing infant car seat Push Chairs & Prams is especially important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long duration.
The most effective infant car seats are also easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make installing without the base easier than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness which is crucial as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents scored 10/10 for its ease of use. It features an easy-to-use interface and an easy-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. You can easily switch your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without needing to take out and replace the seat.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our parent testers loved it for its ease of use and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are designed to support your baby's head, and it comes with a soft infant cushion to ensure they are comfortable. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it converts to the position of a stroller.
A good car seat is durable and some have a warranty. Look for a seat with sturdy materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from any accidents as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should be easy to clean since accidents are likely to happen when you have children. To make cleaning easier, look for a car-seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Simple to Use
A car seat needs to be simple to use and install, especially if you're likely to use it in an alternate vehicle from time to time. Look for features like a quick-release buckle, a gauge that indicates the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as easy as is possible.
The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers loved, such as a padded harness and headrest as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to be seated in a more comfortable position for longer travels. It can be paired with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is perfect for those who plan to travel for a long time.
Our panelists noted that this car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It features recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to secure your child. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
The reclining feature helps you to take your baby in and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful for those with back problems or have a smaller vehicle. It also features the ability to change the drink holder as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat is light and can be used with or without the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you have limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this new feature, which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
This is an excellent option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-end fabric will also stand the test time. Don't forget to wash the cover regularly as spills of yoghurt, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their footprints.
Design
The styles of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. While some parents choose to skip infant car seats to opt for convertible models, most new moms want a product that can develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat, which allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a greater height and weight limit, and it is often used as a booster seat once your child is old enough to need one.
The ideal infant car seat for infants 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 lightweight (8.4 pounds, including 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 category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.
The base and seat design should be considered as well. For example, some car seats use a special base that is secured to the buckles on the seat belts as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient especially when their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt, but without the base that is great for parents who regularly use taxis or travel with their infant. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without the base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your child in and out of the seat.
Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has a flat design, and how it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you are looking for an infant car seat that can develop with your child's development into a booster pick a model that has a reclined backrest and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compatible and has the right car seat attachment points according to UK law.