How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for a new baby is one that complies with all federal safety standards and is compatible with your vehicle. It should also include convenient extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller, and be within your budget. It's also worth checking that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car without difficulty, particularly if you often switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.
Safety
Car seats are made to keep your baby safe and a quality one should include additional features that go beyond the safety standards set by the federal government. These include padded inserts for the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot car, and side-impact protection.
Another crucial safety aspect is the ease to set up and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be capable of snapping it in place with little effort, and with clear signs that it's secure in its place, level, and placed correctly.
There are features that will make this easier including belt guides and built-in locks which will assist you in aligning the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been crash-tested or been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you must buy an old one, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof 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 it's in an upright position. This is to avoid stress on their spine and ensure that they get a chance 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 develop with your child's age and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. One of the ones our parents loved was the Axkid One i-Size, which is suitable from the time of birth and can be used for up to 7 years old.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second option that you can use for a lengthy period of time. It can rotate 360 degrees making it possible to change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It is also one of most lightweight car seats on the market with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's an excellent choice for parents who need to move their infant frequently between vehicles or plan to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
It is important that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both while they are in it and when you install it. Find straps with padding that fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long rides.
The most effective infant car seat is also simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make fitting without the base easier than ever. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness that is essential as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers scored it a 10 out of 10. It has a clear and simple interface, a no-rethread, easy-to-reset harness, a 360-degree rotation, and recline lock indicators. It is easy to switch your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a different example. Our parent testers loved it for its comfort and simplicity, as well as its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrest are shaped to support your baby's head and includes an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight limit or height. It then converts to a stroller.
A high-quality car seat will last and some have a warranty. Choose a seat made of solid materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from any accidents and an aluminum frame that suffocates impact energy and a "crumple zone" to reduce the risk of damage. It is important to keep it clean since accidents are likely to happen when you have children. Look for car seats with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleanup a breeze.
Simple to Use
It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is 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 like a belt that can be released quickly as well as an indicator to indicate the status of the latch (e.g. green for locked) and a manual that is easy to read.
The Best of The Bump winner comes with a variety of practical extras that our parent testers adored, such as the headrest and harness that are padded as well as a plush fabric cup holder. It features a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can also be combined with a buggy that is compatible to create an entire travel system which is ideal if are planning to travel for long periods of time.
Our panelists noted that the car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with recline lock indicators and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made securement of your child quick and simple. It's also designed to be moved from side-to-side inside 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 particularly helpful if you suffer from back problems or drive a small vehicle. It also features an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat weighs under nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have a limited space or suffer from back pain. best infant carrier car seat Push Chairs And Prams has impressed our panelists and was awarded a place in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
This is a great choice for those who want to transform their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and premium fabric will endure the test of time as well. Be sure to wash your cover often, as squashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the odd sick toddler accident is sure to leave a footprints!
Design
The styles of car seats can be as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents opt to not use an infant car seat in favor of a convertible model. However, most new mothers want something that can grow with their child into the age of 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 greater height and weight limit, and it can often be used as a booster seat if your child is old enough to need one.
The ideal car seat for infants for babies is light and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but has a lot of safety features and is incredibly light (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to top-of-the-line features like the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.
The base and seat design should be considered. For instance, certain car seats use a special base that locks into the vehicle's seat belt buckles, while others have LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt that is not base-less that is great for parents who often take taxis or need to travel with their infant. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our parent testers. It can be used with or without the base and it has a smooth swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.
Also, the design of the car seat is crucial. It should be able to fit in your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that can grow with your baby into a booster, look for a model with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compatible and also has the correct car-seat attachment points as per UK law.