How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat for newborn uk car seat newborn car seat is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into strollers) and fits within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat can be easily removed and put into of any vehicle, especially if you are frequently switching between rental cars, taxis or grandparents' vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to ensure your baby is safe and a quality one should have some additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot cars, and side-impact protection.

Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, you should be able to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indicators that it's secure in its place, level, and placed correctly.

Find features that allow you to accomplish this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that can help you line up the car seat with the seat belt. Also, you should avoid purchasing used car seats, as they might not have been crash-tested or have been in an accident and might not be safe for your child. If you must buy a used one be sure that it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

It's also important to remember that you should only leave your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless you are in a flat 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 major investment, so you'll want to be sure that it has a long life span. Choose a seat that is designed to grow with your child and will last into toddlerhood and into the teen years. One of the ones our parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and can be used up to 7 years.

The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy time. It rotates 360 degrees, which means you can switch it from rear-facing into front-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 a great choice for parents who need to move their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.

Comfort

It is important that your baby is at ease in their car seat, both while they are in it as well as when you install it. Choose padded straps that fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for plush material that feels comfortable on their stomachs. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long duration.

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

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our parent testers scored it a 10 out of 10. It has an easy, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without the need to take off and replace the seat.

Another example is the Nuna Pipa air rx which our parents loved for its convenience, comfort and its versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrest are designed to accommodate the head of your baby, and comes with pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max height or weight limit, and it converts into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A good car seat is durable and some come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of robust materials and plenty of padding to shield your child from any injuries and an aluminum frame that suffocates the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen with children. Find car seats that have removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning a breeze.

Ease of Use

It is crucial that a car seat is simple to install and use, particularly if it will be used in different vehicles at times. Look for features like a quick-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 possible.

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras, which our parent testers loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush fabric and cup holders. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with a compatible buggy to create an entire travel system which is ideal if are planning to travel for long durations of time.

Our panelists found that this car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with a recline lock indicator and a premium LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securement of your child quick and easy. It's also designed to be moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the need for tools.

One of our most loved features is the recline feature that allows you to easily get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful if you suffer from back issues or drive a car with a small size. It also has an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for snacks and toys.

The seat is lightweight and can be used with or without the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have limited space or are suffering from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this feature, which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

This is a great choice for those looking to transform their car seats into strollers at a reasonable price. Its sleek design and premium materials will stand up to the test time. Make sure to clean the cover often as spills of yoghurt, biscuits that have been crushed and even sickening toddler accidents can leave a footprints.

Design

The styles of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're installed in. Some parents choose to skip infant car seat in favor of a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that can develop with their child as they reach the toddler years. The most flexible option is an all-in-one baby car seat, which lets you switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher height and weight limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat once your child is old enough to need one.

The ideal infant car seat for newborns is lightweight and easy to lift off the base with your baby inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colours, but offers plenty 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 like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The design of the seat and base should be considered as well. For instance, certain car seats come with a base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors, 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 that is not base-less this is a great benefit for parents who often use taxis or travel infant car seat with their infant. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our testers who are parents. It can be used either with or without the base, and features a smooth swivel, which allows you to easily get your baby inside and out.

Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has an open design, and how well it fits into your particular car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat that can grow with your baby into a booster, choose one with a reclining headrest and side impact protection. Make sure that the infant car seat you select is iSize compatible and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.