How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The ideal car seat for a baby is one that complies with all safety standards set by the federal government and fits your vehicle. It should also have practical extras, such as the capability to transform into a stroller and also be within your budget. It is also important to ensure that the car seat is easily inserted into and out of any vehicle, especially when you frequently switch between taxis, rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A quality car seat will come with additional features that are above the safety standards of the federal government. These include padded cushions on the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.
Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. In the ideal scenario, you'll be capable of snapping it in place with little effort and with clear indicators that it's safe, level, and positioned properly.
You can find features that will help you with this like belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will help you align the car seat with your vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, as they might not have been tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not be safe for your child. If you are forced to purchase an used car seat ensure that it is not expired. an expiration and that the seller isn't an individual or a private party who does not have proof of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless you are in an upright position. This will prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure that they are able to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat to last for a long time, as it is a significant investment. Select a seat that will expand with your child's age and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used for up to 7 years old.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees making it possible to change it from rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest-weight car seats available and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great option for parents who need to move their baby between vehicles frequently or are planning to use it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your baby both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for padded straps which fit snugly around their shoulders, and look for soft fabric that is comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is crucial in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long duration.
The most effective infant car seats are also simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make putting them on without a base more simple than ever before. Other features will help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is important as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It comes with an easy-to-use interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. This means that you can change from forward-facing to rear-facing as your child grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our parent testers were impressed by its comfort, simplicity and versatility. Its padding for the shoulder straps and headrests are designed to help support the head of your baby and comes with pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it transforms to a stroller.
A high-quality car seat will last and many have a warranty. Choose a seat made of solid materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from any accidents as well as an aluminum frame that suffocates impact energy and a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It must also be easy to clean, as messes are inevitable with a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Simple to Use
It is crucial that a car seat is easy to install and use, particularly if it will be used in a variety of vehicles at times. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, an indicator that displays the state of the latch system (e.g. green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as stress-free as possible.
The Best of The Bump winner also has a number of useful extras that our parents testers loved, including an padded headrest and padded harness as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in a more comfortable position for longer trips. It can also be used in conjunction with an appropriate buggy to make a complete travel system, which is ideal if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.
It is suitable from birth. Our panelists found this car seat easy to install and adjust. It comes with recline locks and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made 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.
The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child in and out of the vehicle. This is especially useful when you are suffering from back pain or drive a smaller car. It also has the ability to reversibly hold your cup and a handy storage pocket for snacks and toys.
The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is an excellent feature if you are limited on space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were thrilled by this new feature which earned a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's a great option for anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time as well. Just don't forget to wash your cover regularly, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave their marks!
Design
Car seat designs are as diverse as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to ditch the infant car seat and opt for a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers prefer a product that can expand with their child through the toddler years. All-in-one car seats are the most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a greater weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster when your child is old enough.
The ideal car seat for a newborn car seat is lightweight and easy to lift it from the base and carry with your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features and is also light (8.4 pounds, including canopy and seat inserts). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to top-of-the-line features such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.
The base and seat design must be considered as well. Some car seats have a base that locks into the buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base once properly joined. Parents found these convenient especially when their car only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.
Certain infant car seats are compatible with standard seatbelts that do not have the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or travel with their children. link web page was a favorite among our testers who are parents. It can be used either with or without the base, and has a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.
Other important design considerations include whether a car seat has an open design, and how it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of an infant car seat that will expand with your child to become a booster seat pick a model that features an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. Make sure that the infant car seat you select is iSize-compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.