How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat for a new baby is one that meets all safety standards of the federal government and fits your vehicle. It should also come with practical extras, such as the capability to convert into a stroller, and be within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car with ease especially if you frequently switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.
Safety
A quality car seat will have extra features that go above and beyond safety standards of the federal government. These include padded inserts to the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics that help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact protection.
Installation and use of the seat is another important safety consideration. Ideally, the seat should be easy to install and use, with clear indicators of its level and position as well as security.
Find features that allow you to accomplish this, such as built-in locks and belt guides that help to align the car seat with the vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, as they might not have been tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and may not protect your child. If you must purchase a used car seat, ensure that it has an expiration and that the seller isn't a private person who has no proof of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind that you should only allow your child in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless it is in a flat position. This is to avoid strain on their developing spine and ensure that they have the chance to breathe regularly.
You'll want a seat that will last a long time, because it's a major investment. Choose a seat that will grow with your child's development and last through toddlerhood to teens. Our testers for parents were satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for babies from birth and is able to be used up to age 7.
The Nuna pipa air rx is an alternative that can be used for a long time. It has a 360-degree rotation which means that you can switch it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It is also one of lightest rotating car seat on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. pushchairsandprams.uk 's an excellent choice for parents who move their infant frequently between vehicles or are planning to take it on taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
It is important that your child is at ease in their car seat, both in it and when you install it. Choose padded straps that fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable under their tummy. This is particularly important when you intend to use the seat for a long duration.
The best infant car seats are also simple to use. Some feature premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make installing without a base more simple than ever before. Other features allow you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness which is crucial as your child grows.
One example is the Cosatto All in All Rotate test, which our parents gave a 10/10 for ease of use. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation and recline lock indicator. This means you can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing as your baby grows, without having to remove the seat and replace it.
Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our testers who were parents loved for its convenience, comfort and its versatility. Its padding for the headrest and shoulder straps are designed to accommodate the head of your baby and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be placed in a rear-facing position until your child is at the maximum weight limit or height. Then, it transforms to a stroller.
A good car seat is durable, and many have a warranty. Find a seat that has plenty of padding and sturdy materials to protect your child from any injuries. It should also have an aluminum frame to withstand impact energy and a "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It is important to keep it clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have children. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.
Ease of Use
It is essential that a car seat be easy to install and use, especially if it will be used in a variety of vehicles periodically. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, a gauge that shows the status of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a simple-to-read manual to make it as simple as possible.
The Best of The Bump winner comes with a number of practical features that our parents appreciated, including a padded headrest and harness, plush material, and the cup holder. It also has a reclining feature that allows your baby to sit in an comfortable position for longer travels. It can be used in conjunction with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is a great option when you plan to travel for a long period of time.
Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to install and adjust. It features recline locks as well as an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it simple 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.
One of our top features is the reclining feature that makes it easier to get your infant into and out of the car. This is especially useful if you suffer from back issues or have a small car. It also features an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for snacks and toys.
The seat is lightweight and can be used with or without the base. It can also rotate 180 degrees, which can be a lifesaver when you have a limited space or are suffering from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and it was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
This is an excellent option for those who want to convert their car seats into strollers for a reasonable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test of time. Be sure to clean the cover often because yoghurt spills and biscuits that have been crushed, or even sick accidents with toddlers will leave their footprints.
Design
The designs of car seats are as varied as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents choose to skip baby car seats in favor of convertible models. However, the majority of new mothers want something that will develop with their child as they reach the toddler years. 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 weight and height limit, and is often used as a booster seat once your child is old enough to need one.
An ideal infant car seat newborn car seat is light which makes it easy to lift from the base and carry with your baby in it. Our parent testers loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a couple of colors, but has a lot of safety features and is incredibly lightweight (at 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are the Nuna PIPA URbN, winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+, thanks to its high-end extras such as the Dream drape and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.
The design of the base and the seat should be taken into consideration. For instance, some car seats come with a base that locks into the vehicle's seat belt buckles and others use steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when they are attached correctly. Parents have found these to be convenient especially when the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts with no ISOFIX anchor points.
Some infant car seats can be used with regular seatbelts without the base. This is an excellent feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their infants. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a favorite among our testers who are parents. It can be used with or without the base and features a smooth swivel that makes it easier to take your baby in and out.
Additionally, 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 one that has a reclining headrest and side impact protection. It's also important to confirm that your selected infant car seat is i-Size certified and has the proper car seat attachment points, according to UK law.