10 Websites To Help You Become An Expert In Best Car Seat Newborn
How to Choose the Best Car Seat Newborn
The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, has convenient extras (like changing into a stroller) and is within your budget. It's also worth ensuring the infant car seat can be inserted into and out of your car with ease especially if you frequently shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.
Safety
A good car seat will have extra features that go above and beyond federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the shoulders and head as well as air-repellent fabric to help keep them cool in hot vehicles and side-impact protection.
Another important aspect to consider is how easy it is to install and use the seat. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, with clear indicators of its height and position as well as security.
There are many features that will help you with this, such as belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will help you align the car seat with your car's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, which might not be tested for safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not protect your child. If you do decide to purchase a used one, make sure it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have proof of ownership.
It is also important to remember that you should only leave your child in the car seat up to two hours a day, unless you are in a flat position. This will help prevent 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 major investment, so you'll want to be sure that it has a long duration. Select a seat that will grow with your child's age and last through toddlerhood to the teen years. Our parent testers were very impressed with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth, and is able to be used up to age 7.
The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a long time. infant car seats that swivel can rotate 360 degrees, which means you can change it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also among 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 frequently move their children between vehicles or are planning on using it for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays and trips to grandparent's houses.
Comfort
It is essential that your baby feels at ease in their car seat, both when they are in it as well as when you install it. Find straps that are padded to fit comfortably around their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomachs. This is especially important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long duration.
The best car seat for infants is also simple to use. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality with a SuperCinch force multiplier tightener. Some also have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base easier than ever. Other features will help you adjust the harness height and headrest, which is especially important as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our testers from our parent company gave it a score of 10 out of 10. It features a simple, clear interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness, as well as a recline lock indicator and 360-degree rotation. It is possible to easily change your child's position from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without having to remove and replace the seat.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is a similar example. Our testers who were parents loved it for its ease of use, simplicity and versatility. Its cushioned headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your newborn and includes a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limit and then it can be converted into a stroller without the need for a separate adapter.
A quality car seat is durable, and some even come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to shield your baby from any accidents, as well as a steel frame that absorbs the force of impact and a "crumple zone" to help prevent crash damage. It should be easy to clean, as accidents are sure to happen when you have a child. Choose a car seat with removable seat covers and a pad that is machine washable to make cleaning easy.
User-Friendliness
A car seat should be easy to use and install particularly if you're likely to be using it in a different vehicle at times. To make it as easy as possible look for features like a belt that can be released quickly as well as an indicator to indicate the state of the latch (e.g. green for locked), and a manual that is easy to read.
The Best of The Bump winner includes a variety of useful 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 child to sit in a comfortable position on longer journeys. It can be paired with a buggy that is compatible to create a complete travel system. This is a great option for those who plan to travel for a long duration.
The seat is suitable for babies from birth. Our panelists found this car seat simple to put in and adjust. It features recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It's designed to be easily moved from side to side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.
The reclining feature helps you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is especially useful if you have back issues or have a smaller vehicle. It also has an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy pocket for toys and snacks.
The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can also be rotated around 180 degrees. This is a great feature for those who are tight in 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 anyone looking to transform their car seat into a stroller for an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test time. Be sure to wash your cover frequently, as squashed yogurt spills, biscuits, and the occasional sick toddler accident is sure to leave a marks!
Design
The designs of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents prefer to leave infant car seats out in favour of convertible models, the majority of new moms want a product that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. The most flexible choice is an all-in-one infant car seat, which allows you to switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It typically has a higher weight and height restriction and can be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
The ideal infant car seat for newborns is lightweight and easy to lift off the base with your baby inside. Our parents loved the Maxi-Cosi Coral, which is only available in a few colors, but comes with plenty of safety features and is super 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 0/0+ category, thanks to features that are high-end, like the Dream drape and a canopy that covers the entire area with UPF 50+.
The design of the seat and base should be considered as well. Certain car seats have bases that lock into the buckles for the seat belts. Others have steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that slide out of the sides of the base when correctly joined. These were useful for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seat belts.
Some infant car seats can be used with a standard seatbelt, but without the base, which is a bonus for parents who frequently take taxis or need to travel with their infant. Our testers with parents really liked the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without its base. It has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it easy to get your infant into and out of the seat.
Also, the design of car seats is vital. It should fit into your car. (See our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for an infant car seat that will develop with your child into a booster seat pick a model that has a reclining backrest and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that your selected infant car seat is i-Size compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points, in accordance with UK law.