How to Choose the Best Car Seat
newborn car seat insertThe
best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits in your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like making it a stroller) and fits within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat is easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, particularly if you are frequently switching between rental cars, taxis or the vehicles of your grandparents.
Safety
Car seats are made to protect your baby and a safe one should include additional features that go beyond federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.
Another important aspect to consider is the ease to install and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be in a position to snap it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's secure, level, and positioned correctly.
There are features that can aid in this process like belt guides and built-in locks that will help you align the car seat to your car's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and may not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase an old one be sure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have evidence of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind 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 are able to breathe regularly.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy duration. Choose a seat that will grow with your child's development and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. One that our parent testers loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used up to 7 years old.
The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a lengthy 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-weight car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who regularly transfer their babies between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
A good infant car seat will be comfortable for your child, both in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for padded straps that fit snugly on their shoulders and plush fabric that is soft under their tummy, especially if they will be in the seat for long trips.
The best infant car seats are also easy to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make installing without the base easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave 10 out of 10 for ease of use. It has a clear and simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation and recline lock indicator. You can easily switch your child from rear-facing to front-facing as they grow, without needing to take out and replace the seat.
Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parent testers loved for its comfort, ease of use and flexibility. Its padding for the headrest and shoulder straps are designed to support the head of your infant, and comes with an extra soft pillow to ensure comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight or height limit. Then, it transforms into an infant stroller.
A good car seat will last and many come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to shield your child from any injuries as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates impact energy and a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It should also be easy to clean as messes are inevitable with a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Ease of Use
It is essential that a car seat be easy to install and use, especially in the event that it will be used in different vehicles at times. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, an indicator that shows the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a user-friendly manual to make it as simple as is possible.
The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several 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 sit in an ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is perfect when you plan to
travel infant car seat for a long period of time.
Our panelists reported that this car seat was easy to put in and adjust. It features recline locks as well as an excellent connector that has a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the use of tools.
One of our top features is the reclining feature that allows you to easily get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly useful if you suffer from back pain or have a small car. It also comes with a reversible cup holder and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.
The seat is light and can be used with or without the base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which could be a real lifesaver if you are in a tight space or suffer from back pain. This new feature impressed our panelists, and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
This is a great choice for those who want to convert their car seats into strollers at a reasonable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test time. Don't forget to wash the cover often as spills of yoghurt and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick toddler accidents will leave their mark.
Design
The styles of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're installed in. While some parents choose to not use infant car seats and opt for convertible models, the majority of new mothers want a seat that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for newborns is lightweight and easy to lift off the base with your child inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is super
lightweight baby car seat (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are the Nuna PIPA URbN, 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 full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The base and seat design must also be taken into consideration. For instance, some car seats use a special base that is secured to 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 they are attached correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts and no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats work with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel frequently or take taxis with their infants. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT that can be used with or without the base. It includes a smooth swivel motion that makes it simple to get your
infant car seats on sale into and out of the seat.
Also, the design of car seats is vital. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that will grow with your baby into a booster, choose a model with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your chosen infant car seat is iSize compatible and has the right car seat attachment points according to UK law.
