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 is compatible with your vehicle. It should also have practical extras, such as the capability to transform into a stroller and also be within your budget. It's also important to ensure that the car seat for your baby clicks into and out of your car easily, particularly if you often switch between taxis or trips in rental cars and grandparents' vehicles.
Safety
A high-quality car seat comes with extra features that are above the federal safety standards. These include padded inserts on the head and shoulders and air-repellent fabrics to keep them cool while driving in hot weather.
The ease of installation and use of the seat is another important aspect of safety. In best car seat newborn uk , you'll be capable of snapping it in place with little effort and with clear indications that it's safe in its place, level, and placed properly.
There are features that help you with this including belt guides and built-in locks to help you align the car seat with your car's seatbelt. You also want to avoid purchasing used car seats, as they may not be tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident, and could not be safe for your child. If you have to purchase a used car seat be sure that it's not expired and isn't being sold by an individual who does not have proof of ownership.
It's also important to keep in mind 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 prevent strain on the spine of your child, and ensure that they are able to breath regularly.
Choosing an infant car seat is a significant investment so you'll want to make sure that it has a lengthy duration. Look for one that's designed to grow with your child, which will last through toddlerhood and into the teen years. Our parent testers were very satisfied with the Axkid i-Size. It is suitable for children as young as birth and is able to be used up to age 7.
Nuna pipa air rx is another option that you can use over a long period of time. It can rotate 360 degrees which means you can switch it from front-facing to rear-facing as your child grows. It's also one of the lightest rotating car seat on the market with a weight of less than nine pounds. It's a great option for parents who move their child frequently between cars or plan to use it for 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 as well as when you are installing it. Look for straps that are padded to fit snugly on their shoulders, and soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, especially when they are in the seat for long rides.
The best car seat for infants is also easy to use. Some come with premium LATCH connectors with SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, spring-loaded leveling feet as well as belt paths that make installing without the base easier 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 good example. Our test subjects scored it a 10 out of 10. It features an easy-to-use interface, and a simple-to-adjust no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. It is easy to switch your child's seat from front-facing to rear-facing as they grow without the need to take off and replace the seat.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx is another example. Our parent testers loved it for its comfort, simplicity and versatility. Its cushioned headrest and shoulder straps are designed to help support the head of your infant, and comes with a soft pillow for comfort. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat 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 quality car seat will last, and some will even come with a guarantee. Look for a seat that has plenty of padding and sturdy materials to safeguard your child from any accidents. It should also include an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy and a "crumple area" to prevent crash damage. It is important to keep it clean as accidents are bound to happen with children. To make cleaning easier, look for a car-seat with removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.
Easy of Use
It's important that the car seat you choose to purchase is easy to install and use, particularly when it is going to be used in different vehicles periodically. Look for features such as a quick-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 easy as is possible.
The Best of The Bump winner comes with a variety of practical extras that our parent testers loved, including the headrest and harness that are padded with a plush material and a cup holder. It features a reclining function that lets your child sit in a comfortable and ergonomic position on longer journeys. It can also be used with an appropriate buggy to make an entire travel system which is perfect if you plan on traveling for long periods of time.
Our panelists found that this car seat was easy to put in and adjust. It has recline locks as well as a premium connector with a SuperCinch tightener. This made it easy to secure your child. It can also be moved from side to side of the vehicle easily without the need for tools.
The reclining feature makes it easier for you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is particularly useful when you have back issues or drive a small vehicle. It also has an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, as well as a convenient storage compartment for toys and snacks.
The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be used with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a great option if you're limited in space or suffer from back pain. This feature has impressed our panelists, and was selected for inclusion in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
It's an excellent choice for anyone looking to convert their car seat into a stroller at affordable cost. Its streamlined design and high-quality fabric will endure the test of time, too. Don't forget to wash the cover often because yoghurt spills, biscuits that have been crushed, and even sickening accidents with toddlers will leave their marks.
Design
Car seat designs are as varied as the cars they're installed in. Some parents opt to ditch the baby car seats and opt for convertible models. However, most new mothers are looking for something that can grow with their child into the toddler years. All-in-one car seats are most flexible, allowing you to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing. It usually has a higher height and weight limit, and it can be used as a booster seat when your child is ready to be one.
The ideal infant car seat for babies is light and easy to take off the base with your baby inside. The Maxi-Cosi Coral is available in only a handful of colors, however it comes with a wide array of safety features, and is lightweight (8.4 pounds, including seat inserts and canopy). Other models that stand out are the Nuna PIPA URbN and the Nuna PIPA URbN, which was a winner of Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Car Seat Group 0/0+ due to its premium features like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.
The design of the base and seat must be considered. For example, some car seats use a special base that locks into the vehicle's seat belt buckles, while others have steel-reinforced LATCH connectors which flip out from the sides of the base and turn green when attached correctly. These were useful for parents, particularly in the case of vehicles with only front-facing seat belts.
Certain infant car seats can be used with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is a fantastic feature for parents who travel often or travel with their babies. Our parents who tested it really enjoyed the Nuna TODL NEXT, which can be used with or without its base and has a smooth swivel mechanism that makes it simple to get your infant out and in the seat.
Other important design considerations are whether the car seat is a flat design, and how it is compatible with your car (see our guide to car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat that can grow with your baby as he develops into a booster, choose one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. It is also important to ensure that your selected infant car seat is iSize compliant and uses the correct car seat attachment points, as per UK law.