How to Choose the best car seats for newborns uk Car Seat Newborn

The best car seat newborn is one that is compliant with federal safety standards, fits your vehicle, comes with useful extras (like turning into strollers) and fits within your budget. It's also worth checking that the baby car seat clicks into and out of your car without difficulty especially if you frequently shift between taxis or rides in rental cars and grandparents vehicles.

Safety

A quality car seat will have extra features that are above the federal safety standards. They include padded inserts for the head and shoulders, air-repellent fabrics to help keep them cool in hot vehicles, and side-impact protection.

Easy installation and use of the seat is an important aspect to consider for safety. Ideally, the seat must be simple to install and use, and with clear indicators of its level, position, and security.

Find features that allow you to do that, like built-in locks and belt guides that can help to align the car seat to the vehicle's seatbelt. You also want to avoid purchasing used car seats that might not have been tested for crash safety or have been involved in an accident and may not protect your child. If you must buy a used one ensure that it has an expiration date and isn't being sold by a private seller who doesn't have evidence of ownership.

Another thing to bear in mind is to only leave your infant car seat newborn in the car seat for a maximum of two hours per day, unless they're in a lying-flat position. This will help prevent strain on the spine of your child and ensure they have a chance to breathe regularly.

You'll need a seat that can last a long time, because it's a major investment. Choose a seat that will develop with your child's age and last from toddlerhood through the teen years. One that our parent testers liked was the Axkid One i-Size that is suitable 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 move it from rear-facing to front-facing as your child grows. It's also among the lightest car seats that rotate on the market and weighs less than nine pounds without its base. It's a great choice 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 good infant carrier seat car seat will be comfortable for your child, both when they are in the seat as well as when you are installing it. Look for padded straps that are comfortable to wear on their shoulders. Also, look for soft fabric that is comfortable on their stomach, especially if they will be in the seat for long drives.

The most effective infant car seat is also user-friendly. Some have LATCH connectors of premium quality with a SuperCinch force multiplier and tightener. Some have spring-loaded leveling legs and belt paths to make installation without a base much easier than ever. Other features let you adjust the height of the headrest and harness, which is important as your child grows.

Cosatto All in All Rotate is an example. Our test subjects gave it 10 out of 10. It comes with an easy, clear interface and an easy-to-adjust, no-rethread harness and also recline lock indicators and 360-degree rotation. This means you can switch from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows without needing to take the seat off and replace it.

Another instance is the Nuna Pipa Air rx which our parent testers loved for its comfort, ease of use and its versatility. Its padded shoulder straps and headrests are designed to accommodate the head of your newborn, and it comes with an infant pillow that is soft to ensure they are comfortable. It can be used as a rear-facing car seat up until your baby is at the maximum height or weight limit, and it converts into a stroller without the need for an additional adapter.

A quality car seat is durable, and some have a warranty. Choose a seat that has plenty of padding and durable materials to shield your child from any injuries. It should also include an aluminum frame to withstand the impact energy as well as a "crumple area" to avoid damage from a crash. It should also be easy to clean, as messes are inevitable with a baby. To make cleaning easier, look for a car seat that has removable covers and pads that can be washed in the machine.

Easy of Use

A car seat needs to be easy to install and use, especially if you're likely to be using it in the same vehicle from time to time. Look for features such as an easy-release buckle, an indicator that shows the state of the latch system (e.g., green for locked) and a clear, easy-to-read guide to make it as easy as you can.

The Best of The Bump winner has many practical extras, which our parent testers loved, such as a cushioned headrest and harness, plush material and cup holders. It features a reclining function that allows your child to sit in a comfortable position during longer journeys. It can also be used with a compatible buggy to create a complete travel system, which is ideal if are planning to travel for long durations of time.

Suitable from birth, our panelists found this car seat to be easy to set up and adjust. It has a recline lock indicator and an exclusive LATCH connector with a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener which made securement of your child quick and easy. It's designed to be easily shifted from side-to-side in the vehicle without the necessity of tools.

The recline feature allows you to carry your child out and into the vehicle. This is particularly helpful if you have back issues or are driving a smaller vehicle. It also has an adjustable drink holder that can be reversible, and a handy storage compartment for snacks and toys.

The seat weighs just nine pounds and can be installed with or without its base. It can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a fantastic option if you're limited in space or suffer from back pain. Our panelists were impressed by this feature, which won a spot in our 2021 Mother&Baby awards.

It's a great choice for those who want to convert their car seat into a stroller at an affordable price. Its sleek design and premium fabric will also stand the test of time. Don't forget to wash the cover often as spills of yoghurt, biscuits that have been crushed and even sickening toddler accidents will leave their mark.

Design

The designs of car seats are as diverse as the vehicles they're used in. Some parents opt to ditch the baby car seats in favor of convertible models. However, most new mothers prefer a product that can develop with their child as they reach the age of toddlerhood. The most flexible option is an all-in one baby car seat that lets you switch between rear-facing and forward-facing. It usually has a higher weight and height limit, and can be used as a booster seat when your child is ready to be one.

The ideal car seat for infants for newborns is lightweight and easy to take off the base while your child is 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 light (8.4 pounds, including 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+ due to its premium extras like the Dream drape and UPF 50+ full-coverage canopy.

The design of the base and the seat should be considered. For instance, some car seats have a specific base that is secured to the vehicle's seat belt buckles as well as others with LATCH connectors made of steel that slide out from the sides of the base and turn green when connected correctly. Parents appreciated these connectors especially when their vehicle had only front-facing seatbelts, and no ISOFIX anchor points.

Some infant car seats are compatible with regular seatbelts, but without the base. This is a great feature for parents who travel often or take taxis with their children. The Nuna TODL NEXT was a top rated infant car seats pick among our testers who are parents. It can be used either with or without the base, and it has an easy swivel that makes it easier to get your baby inside and out.

Also, the design of the car seat is crucial. It must fit into your car. (See our guide on car seat compatibility). If you're in search of a car seat newborn that will develop with your baby until an adult, select one that has an adjustable headrest that can be reclining and side impact protection. Make sure that the baby car seat you pick is iSize compliant and also has the correct car-seat attachment points as per UK law.