How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn

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 is within your budget. You should also make sure that the car seat is easily removed and put into of any vehicle, especially when you’re constantly switching between taxis, rental cars or your grandparents’ vehicles.

Safety

Car seats are made to protect your baby, and a good one should have some extra features that go beyond the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot car and side-impact protection.

Easy installation and use of the seat is an important aspect to consider for safety. Idealy, the seat should be simple to install and use, with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.

Look for features that allow you to do that, like locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that help to align the car seat to the vehicle’s seat belt. Avoid buying used car seats that may not have been tested for crash, or which might have been involved in an accident. They could not protect your child. If you have to buy a used car seat, ensure that it has an expiration date and that the seller isn’t a private person who does not have evidence of ownership.

It is also important to remember that you should only allow your baby in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless it is in a flat position. This is to avoid stress on their spine and to ensure they are able to breathe regularly.

The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment so you’ll want to be sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Choose a seat that is designed to adapt with your child and will last into toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our testers for parents were satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children 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 long time. It has a 360-degree rotation, which means you can change it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It’s also among the most lightweight car seats on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. It’s the perfect option for parents who frequently transfer their babies between vehicles or plan on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent’s houses.

Comfort

A quality infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Find straps with padding that fit comfortably on their shoulders and plush fabric that is comfortable on their tummy, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.

The best infant car seat is also easy to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors, the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make installing without the base much easier than ever. Other features can help you adjust the height of your harness and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our test subjects gave it 10 out of 10. It has a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child from rear-facing to front-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 ease of use, comfort and its versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your infant and includes pillows that are soft for your comfort. It can be used in a back-facing position until your child reaches the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it converts into a stroller.

A high-quality car seat is sturdy and some come with a guarantee. Find a seat that has robust materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from accidents and an aluminum frame that suffocates impact energy and a “crumple zone” to reduce the risk of damage. It is also easy to clean, as messiness is inevitable with a child. Look for car seats with removable seat covers and a machine-washable pad to make cleanup a breeze.

Easy of Use

A car seat should be simple to use and install especially if you’re going to use it in the same vehicle at times. To make it as easy as possible look for features such as a belt that can be released quickly, an indicator to show the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our testers for parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and the cup holder. It features a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can be combined with a compatible buggy for a complete travel system. This is perfect for those who plan to travel for a long time.

Our panelists noted that the car seat was simple to set up and adjust. It has a recline lock indicator and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, which makes securing your child quick and easy. It’s designed to be easily shifted from side-to-side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

One of our favorite features is the recline feature that makes it easier to get your infant into and out of the car. This is particularly helpful for those who have back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also comes with a reversible cup holder and a handy storage pocket for toys and snacks.

The seat is lightweight and can be used with or without the base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a great option if you’re limited on space or have back pain. This feature was a big hit with our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

This is a great option for those who want to transform their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-end materials will stand up to the test time. Be sure to wash your cover regularly as smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave their footprints!

Design

Car seats come in a variety of designs as the cars they’re used in. Some parents prefer to not use infant car seats to opt for a convertible model, most new moms want a product that can grow with their baby into toddlerhood. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat that lets you switch between forward facing infant car seat-facing and rear-facing. It typically has a higher height and weight limit, and it is often used as a booster seat when your child is old enough to need one.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. Our testers with parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out, since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to high-end features such as the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.

The design of the base and seat should also be considered. For instance, certain car seats come with a base that locks into the buckles on the seat belts as well as others with steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. These were a great option for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.

Some infant car seats can be used with a regular seatbelt that is not base-less that is great for parents who regularly take taxis or need to travel with their infant car seats on sale. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base, and features an easy swivel that makes it easier to take your baby in and out.

Other important considerations for design are whether a car seat comes with an open design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you are looking for a newborn infant car seat that can develop with your child’s growth into a booster seat, choose a model that features an adjustable backrest as well as side impact protection. It’s also worth checking that your chosen infant car seat is iSize certified and has the proper car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.