How to Choose the best car seat newborn (
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The best car seat newborn is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your car, has useful features (like making it a stroller) and works with your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is easily clicked into and out of any vehicle, particularly if you are frequently switching between rental cars, taxis or the vehicles of your grandparents.
Safety
A high-quality car seat comes with extra features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot car and side-impact protection.
The ease of installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, you want to be capable of snapping it into place with minimal effort, and with clear signs that it's secure in its place, level, and placed properly.
There are many features that will help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in locks to help you align the car seat to the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid buying used car seats that might not have been tested for crash, or which might have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase an old one, make sure it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.
One other thing to keep in mind is to keep your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless they're in a lying-flat position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they get a chance to breath regularly.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment therefore you'll need to make sure that it has a long lifespan. Look for one that's designed to adapt with your child, which will last through the toddler years and on into the teenage years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth and is able to be used up to age 7.
The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a lengthy time. It can rotate 360 degrees so you can change it from rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the lightest rotating car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who often transfer their children between cars or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
A good infant car seat is comfortable for your baby both in the seat and when you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for plush material that feels comfortable on their stomachs. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long duration.
The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Others come with spring-loaded leveling legs as well as belt paths that make installing without a base easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a clear and simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. This means that you can change between
forward facing infant car seat and rear-facing positions as your child grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parent testers were impressed by its comfort, simplicity and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your baby, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby is at the maximum weight or height limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.
A good car seat will last, and some will even have a warranty. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any injuries. It should also include an aluminum frame to withstand the force of impact as well as an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It must be easy to clean, as accidents are sure to happen with the growing age of a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car-seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Easy to Use
It is crucial that a car seat be simple to install and use, particularly in the event that it will be used in different vehicles from time to time. To make it as simple as possible look for features such as the quick-release belt as well as an indicator to indicate the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a manual that is easy to read.
The
best car seats of The Bump winner comes with a variety of useful extras that our parents testers adored, such as an padded headrest and padded harness with a plush material and a cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer travels. It can be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system. This is ideal if you are planning to travel for a long duration.
The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It features recline locks as well as an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to secure your child. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
One of our favorite features is the recline feature that helps you take your baby in and out of the
car seats newborn. This is particularly useful if you suffer from back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also has a reversible drink holder, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be set up with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a real lifesaver if you have limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists, and was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It's an excellent choice for those who want to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time as well. Make sure to clean the cover often as yoghurt spills or biscuits that are crushed, or even sick toddler accidents can leave a footprints.
Design
The designs of car seats can be as diverse as the cars they're placed in. Some parents prefer to leave infant car seats out and opt for a convertible model, most new mothers want a seat that will develop with their baby as they reach toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most versatile that allow you to change between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher height and weight limit, and can often be used as a booster seat once your child is ready to be one.
The ideal car seat for a newborn car seat is lightweight and easy to lift it from the base and then carry your child. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colours, but offers plenty of safety features and is extremely 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 Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.
The seat's design and the base should also be taken into consideration. For instance, certain car seats come with a base that locks into the buckles of 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. These were useful for parents, particularly in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seat belts.
Certain infant car seats can be used with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their babies. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it simple to get your
infant car seat swivel out and in the seat.
Other important considerations for design are whether a car seat has a flat design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an
infant car seat newborn that will develop with your baby until an adult, select a model with a reclining headrest and side impact protection. It's also worth checking that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compatible and has the right car seat attachment points, as per UK law.
