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Best Car Seat Newborn Isn't As Tough As You Think
How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your car, has useful features (like turning into 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 without difficulty, particularly if you often change between trips to the taxi or in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
Car seats are designed to ensure your baby is safe and a safe one should have some additional features that go beyond federal safety standards. These include padded cushions on the head and shoulders and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.
The ease of installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. Ideally, you should be able to snap it in place with little effort, and with clear signs that it's secure, level, and positioned correctly.
You can find features that can aid in this process including belt guides and built-in lockoffs to help you align the car seat with the seat belt of your vehicle. Avoid purchasing used car seats that may not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident. They might not be safe for your child. If you must purchase a used car seat, ensure that it has an expiration and that the seller is not an individual who doesn't have proof of ownership.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it's best to keep your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day unless they are in a lie-flat position. This is to reduce strain on their developing spine and to ensure they have the chance to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat to last a long time, because it's a major investment. Choose a seat that is designed to adapt with your child, which will last through toddlerhood and through the teen years. One of the ones our parents liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and can be used for up to 7 years old.
The Nuna pipa aire rx is another option that can be used for a long time. It has a 360-degree rotation that means you can move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest car seats that rotate on the market, and weighs less than 9 pounds without its base. It's a great choice for parents who need to move their baby between vehicles frequently or are planning to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
A well-designed infant car seat is comfortable for your baby, both in the seat and when you are installing it. Find straps that are padded to fit comfortably around their shoulders, and look for plush material that feels comfortable beneath their stomachs. This is crucial when you intend to use the seat for a long duration.
The best infant car seat is also user-friendly. Some come with premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet and belt paths that make fitting without the base easier than ever. Other features can help you adjust the harness height and headrest, which is particularly important as your child gets older.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our parent testers gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness, as well as an indicator for recline and 360-degree rotation. This allows you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Another example is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its convenience, comfort and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn and comes with a soft infant pillow to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby is at the maximum weight or height limits and can also be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A high-quality car seat is durable, and some even come with a warranty. Look for the seat with plenty of padding and strong materials to protect your child from any injuries. It should also come with a steel frame to absorb impact energy, and an "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have a child. Choose car seats with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.
Easy of Use
A car seat needs to be easy to use and install especially if you're going to be using it in a different vehicle at times. To make it as easy as possible, look for features such as a quick-release belt 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 has many practical extras that our testers for parents loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush material, and cup holders. It also has a reclining feature that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position for longer trips. It can also be combined with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is ideal if you intend to travel for extended durations of time.
infant car seats uk is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat easy to install and adjust. It features a recline lock and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to ensure your child's safety. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle without the use of tools.
One of our most loved features is the reclining feature that allows you to easily get your infant in and out of the car. This is particularly helpful if you have back issues or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also features a reversible drink holder, and a handy storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat is lightweight and can be used without or with the base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is an excellent feature if you are limited on space or suffer from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It's an excellent choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will stand the test of time as well. Be sure to wash your cover regularly as smashed biscuits, yoghurt spills and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave a mark!
Design
The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're installed in. Some parents opt to ditch the baby car seats in favor of a convertible model. However, the majority of new mothers are looking for something that will expand with their child through the age of toddlerhood. All-in-one car seat are the most flexible, allowing you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing. It usually has a higher 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 is lightweight and easy to lift from the base and transport your baby in it. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a handful of colors, but has a lot 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, because it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group category, thanks to features that are high-end, such as the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.
The seat's design and the base should also be taken into consideration. Some car seats have an attached base that is locked into the vehicle buckles for the seat belts. Some have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH that flip out of the sides of the base when correctly connected. These were useful for parents, especially if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.
Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt, but without the base, which is a bonus for parents who regularly travel by taxi or travel with their child. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top pick among our parents who tested it. It can be used either with or without the base and has an easy swivel that allows you to easily get your baby in and out.
Other important design considerations are whether a car seat comes with a lie flat design, and how well it will fit into your specific car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a newborn infant car seat that can grow along with your child to become a booster seat pick a model with a reclining backrest and side impact protection. Check that the infant car seat you select is iSize compliant and has the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.