Best Car Seat Newborn Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The ideal car seat for a new baby is one that meets all safety standards set by the federal government and fits in your car. It should also include 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 clicked into and out of any vehicle, especially when you frequently switch between rental cars, taxis or grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A quality car seat will come with additional features that are above the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact protection.
Another important safety consideration is how easy it is to install and use the seat. Ideally, you want to be in a position to snap it into place with minimal effort and with clear indications that it's safe, level, and positioned correctly.
Look for features that make it easier to accomplish this, such as locks built-in to the seat and belt guides that help to align the car seat with the vehicle's seat belt. Also, you should avoid purchasing used car seats, which may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and may not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used car seat ensure that it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.
Another thing to keep in mind is to keep your baby in the car seat for up to 2 hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This will reduce strain on the spine of your child and ensure they have a chance to breath regularly.
The choice of a car seat for infants is a significant investment therefore you'll need to make sure it has a long lifespan. Select a seat that will develop with your child and last from toddlerhood to teen years. One product that our testers for parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used up to 7 years.
Nuna pipa air rx is a second alternative that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means you can switch it from rear-facing into front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest rotating car seats on the market and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's the perfect option for parents who often move their children between vehicles or plan to use 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 when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for straps that are padded to fit comfortably on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is soft under their stomach, particularly when they are in the seat for long trips.
The most effective infant car seat is also easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors that feature a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Others come with spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths that make installing without a base much easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest which is crucial as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate that our testers from the past scored 10/10 for its ease of use. It has a simple, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. 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.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parents who tested it were impressed by its comfort, simplicity and versatility. Its cushioned shoulder straps and headrest are designed to support the head of your baby and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. infant car seat for travel can be used as an rear-facing car seat until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limit and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.
A high-quality car seat is durable and some come with a warranty. Choose a seat that has plenty of padding and strong materials to protect your child from accidents. It should also have an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy, and an "crumple area" to stop damage from crashes. It should also be easy to clean, since messiness is inevitable with a child. To simplify cleaning, look for a car seat that has removable covers and a machine washable pad.
Easy of Use
It's important that a car seat is easy to install and use, particularly in the event that it will be used in multiple vehicles at times. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, a gauge that indicates 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 you can.
The Best of The Bump winner also comes with several practical features that our parent testers adored, such as an padded headrest and padded harness, plush fabric and a cup holder. It has a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position during longer journeys. It can also be used in conjunction with a compatible buggy to create an entire travel system which is ideal if you are planning to travel for long periods of time.
Our panelists reported that the car seat was easy to put in and adjust. It has a recline lock indicator and an LATCH connector that is premium and comes with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that made the process of securing your child simple. It's also designed to be shifted from side-to-side in the vehicle without the need for tools.
One of our most loved features is the reclining feature that helps you get your infant in and out of the car. This is especially useful when you have back pain or have a small car. It also comes with a reversible cup holder and a handy storage compartment 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 lifesaver when 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 option for those looking to convert their car seats into strollers for an affordable cost. Its sleek design and high-quality fabric will stand the test of time also. Don't forget to wash the cover often as yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their marks.
Design
Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to not use an baby car seats and opt for convertible models. However, the majority of new mothers are looking for something that can expand with their child through the age of toddlerhood. The most versatile option is an all-in one baby car seat that lets you switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for infants is light and easy to take off the base with your child inside. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colours, but offers plenty 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 since it was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category for 0/0+ due to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape and a fully-covered canopy with UPF 50+.
The design of the base and the seat should also be considered. For example, some car seats come with a base that locks into 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. These were a great option for parents, especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.
Some infant car seats can also be used with a regular seatbelt, but without the base that is great for parents who often travel by taxi or travel with their baby. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without the base. It features a smooth swivel movement that makes it easy to get your baby into and out of the seat.
Additionally, the design of a car seat is important. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, choose a model with the option of reclining headrests and side impact protection. Make sure the baby car seat you pick is iSize-compliant and has the proper car seat attachment points, as required by UK law.