Choosing the right car seat for your newborn is an important decision, and you won’t be able to drive home from the hospital without one. There are so many different brands and styles of safety seat, it can be difficult to know which is the best. Here, we will help you lean what to look for in a great seat, as well as review what we feel are some of the best, to help you find one which is right for your family’s needs.
Considerations When Choosing an Infant Car Seat
The main thing to look for when shopping for a newborn car seat is safety. Make sure the seat meets or exceeds current safety standards, and look for extras such as side-impact testing. You should also check the capacity of the seat to ensure it will fit your baby for a decent length of time. Many infant seats are designed for babies up to 30 pounds in weight and around 30 inches long, although this does differ from seat to seat.
Depending on how you plan to use the seat, you might want to check whether it can be used as a part of a travel system or if it comes with a base which stays in the car for example. Also check how many headrest and harness positions there are, so you can make sure your infant will be secure and safe in the seat as they grow. Some convertible car seats can be used from birth, so you might like to go straight for one of these, as it will last longer.
Best Brands of Newborn Car Seat
There are so many brands of seat available these days, working out which one to choose can be a challenge. It’s a good idea to stick to well-known names, as you can be sure these seats are practical and have been thoroughly tested to meet current standards. Some good choices are classics such as Chicco, Graco, Maxi-Cosi and Britax. Safety 1st, as the name suggests, is also a great manufacturer which makes extra-safe baby seats.
The Reviews: Best Baby Car Seat
Below, you will find comprehensive reviews of some of the best safety seats for infants. These seats have great safety features or practical extras which make them easy for parents to use and comfortable for little ones. You are sure to find the perfect seat for your family’s needs here.
Britax B-Safe 35 Elite
This Britax infant seat is designed for safety. It has two layers of side impact protection, with a deep foam-lined shell. It comes with its own base, which also features impact-absorbing materials. The Britax B Safe 35 base has super easy LATCH installation, and there are two level installations, so it’s easy to see if the seat is installed correctly.
The Britax B Safe features a removable cover which can easily be washed by hand. The seat is suitable for infants weighing at least 4 pounds and up to 35 pounds. The Britax baby seat has an adjustable headrest, meaning baby will be safe and comfortable as they grow. The 5-point safety harness also adjusts with the headrest, so it’s easy to get the perfect fit every time. The seat is compatible with any Britax stroller, meaning you can create your own travel system, for an easy transition from car to stroller when baby is sleeping.
Graco SnugRide 35
This lightweight infant seat is compatible with all Graco Click Connect strollers to create a custom travel system. The Graco infant seat has an easy one step installation which allows it to be transferred from the car to stroller in seconds. The seat can be used by infants weighing between 4-35 pounds and up to 32 inches tall. This means it will last a good length of time before you’ll need to upgrade to something bigger.
Safety 1st Onboard
Chicco KeyFit 30
Graco 4Ever Car Seat
This convertible car seat can be used from birth until your child no longer requires an additional seat, or 4-120 pounds. It’s ideal for newborns as well as older children, because there are removable inserts which make the seat a better fit for small babies. The Graco Forever has a harness which is adjustable into many different positions, meaning it can easily be tightened enough for newborns.
The Graco Forever has great safety features which means it is sure to keep your child safe if there is an accident. It has been side-impact tested and has a steel-reinforced frame meaning it is strong and durable. The Graco convertible seat has a headrest which is adjustable into 10 different positions. This means it is safe even for tiny babies, and there are also 6 different recline positions so your baby can sit comfortably as they grow. Overall, this is a great investment for parents who are looking to get the most for their money – it could potentially be the only car safety seat you will ever need.
Our Favorite Baby Car Seat
The Safety 1st Air is one of the safest seats for newborn and young babies. It is one of the few seats which has been tested against impacts at all angles, including rollovers. It uses the latest technology to ensure it performs exceptionally well in the event of an impact. It’s also very padded and comfortable even for tiny babies, and will last a bit longer than some other seats, as it can hold up to 35 pounds.
