(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1109/maxi-cosi-tanza-child-seat-with-isofix-growing-booster-seat-with-g-cell-side-impact-protection-group-2-3-car-seat-can-be-used-from-approx-3-5-12-years-approx-100-150-cm-grey-1109.jpg)How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like making it a stroller) and works with your budget. It's also worth checking that the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car easily especially if you frequently shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
Car seats are made to keep your baby safe and a quality one should have some extra features beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact safety.
Installation and use of the seat is another important aspect to consider for safety. Ideally, you should be capable of snapping it into place with minimal effort and with clear indications that it's secure in its place, level, and placed correctly.
Look for features that help you accomplish this, such as built-in lock offs and belt guides that assist you line up the car seat with the vehicle's seat belt. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for crash or have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you must buy an old one, make sure it has an 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 an upright position. This is to prevent strain on their developing spine and to ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat that will last for a long time, since it's an important investment. Pick a seat that can expand with your child and last from toddlerhood through teen years. One of the ones our parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable from birth and is able to be used until 7 years.
The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a long time. It rotates 360 degrees, so you can change it from rear-facing into front-facing as the child grows. It's also among the most lightweight car seats available with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's the perfect option for parents who frequently transfer their children between cars or plan to use it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays, and trips to grandparent's homes.
Comfort
It is important that your child is at ease in their car seat, both in it and after you install it. Find straps with padding that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders, and soft fabric that feels comfortable under their stomach, particularly if they will be in the seat for long drives.
The most effective car seat for infants is also user-friendly. Some come with premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make putting them on without the base much easier than ever before. Other features will help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is important as your child gets older.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our testers from our parent company gave it 10 out of 10. It features a clear, simple interface, no-rethread, easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation and recline lock indicator. It is possible to easily change your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without needing to take out and replace the seat.
Another example is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parents loved for its comfort, ease of use and flexibility. Its padding for the shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your baby, and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby hits the max height or weight limit and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A good car seat will last and some come with a guarantee. Find a seat that has solid materials and plenty of padding to protect your child from any injuries and a steel frame that absorbs the force of impact and a “crumple zone” to help prevent crash damage. It must also be easy to clean, as messes are inevitable with a child. To make cleaning easier, look for a car-seat with removable covers and a machine washable pad.
User-Friendliness
A car seat must be easy to use and install, especially if you're likely to use it in an alternate vehicle at times. To make it as simple as possible you should look for features such as a belt that can be released quickly and an indicator that shows the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a user 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 a padded harness and headrest as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also features a recline feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer travels. It can be paired with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is ideal when you plan to travel for a long duration.
Our panelists noted that the car seat was simple to put in and adjust. It comes with recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This makes it easy to ensure your child's safety. It's also designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the need for tools.
One of our top features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful when you have back pain or have a small car. It also features an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat is light and can be used with or without the base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you are in a tight space or are suffering from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
This is a great choice for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers at affordable prices. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time also. Make sure to clean your cover regularly, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave a mark!
Design
The styles of car seats are as varied as the cars they're placed in. While some parents opt to not use rotating infant car seat car seats to opt for a convertible model, most new moms want something that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most versatile choice is an all-in-one infant car seat, which allows you to change between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height limit, and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to remove from the base with your baby inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a few colors, but it offers a lot of safety features and is light (8.4 pounds including 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 0/0+ category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.
The seat's design and the base must be considered as well. Some car seats have a base that locks into the vehicle buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were convenient for parents, especially in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seat belts.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1125/maxi-cosi-titan-i-size-multi-age-child-car-seat-15-months-12-years-76-150-cm-isofix-car-seat-g-cell-side-impact-protection-5-recline-positions-adjustable-headrest-basic-black-1125.jpg)Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt that is not base-less, which is a bonus for parents who often take taxis or need to travel with their baby. Our parent testers really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your child in and out of the seat.
The design of car seats is vital. It should be able to fit in your car Seat For newborn. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat that will develop with your baby until a booster, choose one that has the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure the baby car seat you pick is iSize compliant and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points as per UK law.