How to Choose the best car seats for newborns uk Car Seat NewbornThe best car seat for newborns is one that meets federal safety standards, fits in your car, has useful features (like making it strollers) and fits within your budget. It's also worth checking that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often shift between taxis or rides in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles.
SafetyCar seats are designed to keep your baby safe, and a good infant car seats one should have some extra features beyond federal safety standards. These include padded inserts on the head and shoulders and also air-repellent fabric to keep them cool when driving in hot weather.
Installation and use of the seat is an important safety consideration. In the ideal scenario, you'll be in a position to snap it in place with little effort, and with clear signs that it's safe, level, and positioned correctly.
There are features that can aid in this process including belt guides and built-in lockoffs that will help you align the car seat to your vehicle's seatbelt. It is also important to avoid buying used car seats, which may not be tested for safety or have been involved in an accident and might not be safe for your child. If you must buy an old one, make sure it's on the expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who does not have evidence of ownership.
It is also important to remember that you should only leave your baby in the car seat for up to two hours per day, unless it's in an upright position. This is to reduce the spine from becoming strained and ensure that they get a chance to breathe regularly.
Selecting a car seat for your infant is a significant investment, so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy lifespan. Find one that's designed to grow with your child, which will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. One product that our testers for parents loved was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable for children from birth and is able to be used up to 7 years old.
The Nuna pipa air rx is a different option that can be used for a long time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as the child grows. It's also one of the most lightweight car seats on the market, weighing less than nine pounds. It's a great choice for parents who transfer their infant frequently between vehicles or are planning to make use of it for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives and trips with grandparents.
Comfort
A good infant car seat for newborn seat is comfortable for your baby, both when they are in the seat and when you are installing it. Choose padded straps that are comfortable to wear around their shoulders, and for plush material that feels comfortable under their tummy. This is especially important in the event that you plan to use the seat for a long time.
The best infant car seats are simple to use. Some have premium LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet, and belt paths that make fitting without a base more simple than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the harness and headrest that is essential as your child grows.
Cosatto All in All Rotate is a prime example. Our test subjects gave it 10 out of 10. It has a clear, simple interface, a no-rethread easy-to-change harness, 360-degree rotation, as well as recline lock indicators. It is possible to easily change your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow, without the need to take off and replace the seat.
Another instance is the Nuna Pipa aire rx, which our parent testers loved for its convenience, comfort and versatility. Its padded shoulder straps as well as headrests are designed to accommodate your baby's head and comes with a soft infant cushion to ensure that they are comfortable. It can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit. Then, it converts into an infant stroller.
A high-quality car seat will be durable and many come with a guarantee. Choose a seat made of sturdy materials and plenty of padding to protect your baby from accidents and the steel frame that can absorb the impact energy and has a "crumple zone" to prevent damage. It must also be easy to clean as spills are commonplace with a child. To make cleaning easier, search for a car seat with removable covers and an easy-to-clean pad.
Simple to Use
It is crucial that a car seat is easy to install and use, especially if it will be used in a variety of vehicles periodically. 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 infant car seat of The Bump winner has many practical extras that our parents were pleased with, including a padded headrest and harness, plush fabric, and a cupholder. It also comes with a reclining feature that allows your child to sit in an ergonomic position for longer journeys. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if intend to travel for extended durations of time.
Our panelists found that the car seat was easy to set up and adjust. It comes with a recline lock and an upgraded connector that comes with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It's also designed to be easily moved from side-to-side inside the vehicle without the need for tools.
The reclining feature makes it easier for you to take your baby out and into the vehicle. This is particularly helpful when you have back pain or have a small car. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that can be reversible and a handy storage pocket for toys and snacks.
The seat weighs less than nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It also rotates 180 degrees, which can be a huge help if you have a limited space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were awed by this feature, which was a finalist in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.
It's a great choice for anyone looking to convert their car seat into a stroller for affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will last for a long time as well. Make sure to clean your cover often, as squashed biscuits, yoghurt spills, and the occasional sick toddler accident are sure to leave their mark!
Design
Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're used in. While some parents opt to leave infant car seats out in favour of convertible models, most new moms want something that will continue to grow with their child into toddlerhood. All-in-one car seats are the most versatile that allow you to change from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can also be used as a booster once your child is old enough.
An ideal infant car seat newborn car seat is light, making it easy to lift from the base and transport your child. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features and is also light (8.4 pounds, including seat inserts and canopy). Nuna PIPA URbN is another model that stands out as it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ category, thanks to top-of-the-line features such as the Dream drape, and a full-coverage canopy with UPF 50+.
The design of the base and the seat should also be considered. Some car seats come with an attached base that is locked into the vehicle buckles for seat belts. Others have steel-reinforced connectors for LATCH which flip out of the sides of the base when correctly connected. These were a great option for parents, particularly if the vehicle only had front-facing seatbelts.
Some infant car seats can be used with regular seatbelts without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel often or travel with their babies. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a popular choice among our parents who tested it. It can be used with or without the base, and has an easy swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.
Other important design considerations are whether a car seat has an open design, and how it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're looking for a car seat newborn that will develop with your baby until a booster, look for one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. Make sure the infant car seat you select is iSize-compliant and also has the appropriate car seat attachment points in accordance with UK law.