“You’re free to go home,” is the expression that will likely fill you with dread.
- Have I got the right car seat?
- How do I get the car seat into the car, and have I done it right?
- How do I make sure my baby is strapped in correctly?
- Will my baby be safe in their car seat?
You’ve probably asked yourself some or all of the above questions.
This blog will give you the answers you need and make sure you’re prepared to enjoy the experience rather than dread it.
That drive home from the hospital will become a core memory in parenthood.
I remember driving home from the hospital, overthinking everything. My wife even questioned why I was only driving 40mph on the A3 (national speed limit)!
Bringing your newborn home from the hospital marks the first time you’ll slip your new precious bundle of joy into their car seat.
You’ll also realise how small they look when they’re all wrapped up and snug in their car seat.
Top tip: You need to make sure that there are not too many layers between the belt/harness and your baby. Your car seat’s harness or belt’s job is to hold your baby’s body firmly and safely in place. Lots of layers will mean your baby can propel backwards or forwards in an accident.
If it’s cold, remember you can layer blankets over the top of them once they’re strapped in, rather than under the belt.
Preparing to leave and leaving the hospital
First you’ll get them strapped into their car seat. You’ll do this in hospital. Unclip your car seat from the base in your car and carry it up to the ward.
In the ward you’ll get them all snuggled in.
Then, you’ll leave the ward holding your baby in the new car seat.
Queue that iconic ‘dad carrying their baby through the hospital for the drive home’ pic.
You’ll get back to the car and put your baby in the car seat back into the frame. Hopefully you’ve practiced this. But even if you have, it’s likely that it might take a few attempts to get the seat clicked in correctly and all safety labels/buttons showing green (that it’s all locked in).
Then, you can drive!
But before you get to this point, you need to make sure that you get the best car seat for your newborn.
Here’s how to find the best car seat for your newborn, and what car seats are on the market to choose from.
What’s involved in finding a suitable car seat for your newborn?
Finding the right car seat for your newborn can take a long time. You should start well before your baby is born and try out a few different seats to find the one that feels the best to use.
Car seat shopping shouldn’t be rushed. If you find it difficult to use, your baby probably won’t be comfortable in it either.
Don’t panic. We’ve got everything you need to know about understanding car seat specifications right here. We’ve listed our picks for the best car seats for newborn babies this year a little further down.
Figuring out car seat weight groups
When you go shopping for car seats, you’re going to come across a lot of information regarding the group they’ve been sorted into. To cut down on chaos at this hectic and frankly quite stressful time of your life, we’ve put each group into simple terms down below:
- Group 0: Suitable for infants up to 10kg – usually up to 9 months.
- Group 0+: Suitable for infants up to 13kg – usually up to 15 months.
- Group 1: Suitable for infants and toddlers up to 18kg – usually around 4 years old.
- Group 2: Mostly used as booster seats for children aged 4 and up.
- Group 3: Booster seats for children from the age of 6 to the age of 12.
For newborns, you should only be interested in car seats in the Group 0 and 0+ categories. However, some seats will fit into groups further down the weight and age range.
Installation types and what they mean
Similar to the group categories that determine what age a car seat is suitable for, each seat is going to come with its own installation type as well.
There are two legal installations in the UK, which are as follows:
ISOFIX
Sometimes known as LATCH, the ISOFIX attachment system circumvents the need for a seat belt to keep car seats in a fixed position.
Instead, double ‘fixing points’ allow you to click the seat into place for an instant installation.
If a car seat comes with ISOFIX, you may need to buy a separate base for the seat to sit on and attach to.
However, you should double check your car model allows for ISOFIX before investing in a car seat that uses it. You can also look around for the ISOFIX plugs in the backseat.
Belted
The classic way of installing a car seat. A seat belt can be used to loop around the car seat, along what is known as the ‘belt path’, to affix the seat in a tightly locked position.
How to safely set up a newborn’s car seat
With a newborn baby, all car seats should be rear facing. This is the safest and only legal way to transport a baby that’s under the age of 15 months.
Once you’ve brought the car seat home, make sure you read through the manufacturer’s guide and/or instruction booklet. This will tell you how to fit and install your car seat specifically.
Just as a reminder, newborn babies should never ride in the front when there’s an active airbag!
You’ll also want to check your car’s manufacturing booklet. You need to know how to make the seat belt lock, especially if the car seat you’re using doesn’t have an ISOFIX attachment.
And trust your gut here. If it feels a bit wonky or like the belt isn’t tethered properly, don’t chance it. Take the seat off and try again!
Making sure your newborn is comfortable
Your baby will let you know if they don’t like their car seat; they’ll wriggle and cry until you pull over to readjust the straps.
To prevent this from happening, avoid twisting the belts of the harness. They should always lie flat against your infant’s clothing. There should also be little to no room between the crotch buckle and your baby’s body.
You can also double check that the harness isn’t cutting into your child’s armpits, but don’t move the main harness too much from the upper chest position. Remember, the harness needs to be tight to ensure your newborn doesn’t slip throughout the journey.
The best car seats for newborns this year
Here are 7 car seats that’ll suit newborn babies, most of which are suitable up to the age of 12 months.
Of course, every baby is different and will grow in their own way. Pay attention to the weight groups mentioned under the heading of each product. You should never use a car seat that doesn’t correspond to your baby’s specific weight.
Each car seat can be found on Amazon, with a link to each product under their entry.
Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix i-Size
- Group: 0+
- Installation: Belted
- Price: £99 (usual price £119.99)
The CabrioFix is super easy to take in and out of the car thanks to light manufacturing. The belts are also super easy to use, as you can click them in and out without any fuss. We particularly like the use of a separate inlay to support a newborn, which can then be taken out for bigger, older babies who need more room. If you’re about to bring your baby home from the hospital, this is definitely a car seat you can trust.
Graco SnugEssentials i-Size Infant Car Seat
- Group: 0+
- Installation: Isofix
- Price: £100
Graco is a well known name in the world of infant products, and for very good reason. The SnugEssentials seat has a memory foam insert, meaning your baby will be incredibly comfortable once they’re strapped safely in. Plus, this seat is made to be super safe. The inclusion of warning lights on the side of the seat will let you know when it’s been fitted into the car correctly. Once they turn green, you’re good to go.
We also quite like the compact, sleek design of this car seat, which can also be used in the Graco pushchair – double up on the purchase and save money!
Cozy N Safe Fitzroy
- Group: 0+,1
- Installation: Belted
- Price: £64.99
This seat fits into two weight groups, meaning it’s good for newborns, infants, and toddlers up to 3 years of age. It has a 5 point harness for increased safety, and a 4 point recline to better support your baby’s head and neck. If your baby spits up or makes any other mess on the seat, you can just pull off the covers and throw them in the washing machine.
Kinderkraft Pram 3 in 1 Set MOOV
- Group: 0+
- Price: £248.34 (usual price £269)
A little pricier than any other car seat on this list, but you do get the seat, a pushchair, and a pram all in one go. The pushchair element is collapsible, meaning you can quickly unclip the seat from the frame, close it down, and push it in the boot – you could even do so one handed! The Kinderkraft also grows with your baby, as the seat and pram portion can be used until your baby is around 6 months, with the pushchair suitable from then onwards. We call that a real money saver!
Reecle 360 Swivel Seat
- Group: 0+,1,2,3
- Installation: Isofix
- Price: £125.99
Not the only one of its kind on the market, but one of the best in terms of price and ease of use. This is a 360 degrees rotating car seat, so while it can be strapped in rear facing, you can turn it towards you once the car has been stopped. This makes assessing your child’s needs a lot easier on longer journeys, and allows for easier unstrapping when you need to take the baby out. You can also recline the seat by 7 points, which allows much greater control over the tilt and angle of your newborn’s head.
Graco Turn2Me
- Group: 0+,1
- Installation: Isofix
- Price: £119.99 (usual price £180)
Another rotating car seat, the Graco Turn2Me is more of a luxury addition to the car seat market. It comes well padded, can be reclined in 5 positions whether forward or rear facing, and can be instantly turned by hand if you need to attend to your baby. There’s also ventilated areas along the sides of the seat, which can help your child stay cool during the height of summer. If you’re worried they’re bundled up too warm, this can take some of that new parent pressure off.
Nania BEONE Car Seat
- Group: 0+
- Installation: Belted
- Price: £47.50
This car seat is rear facing only, and allows for a 3 point recline to keep your baby’s head in a safe and comfortable position. This seat has been routinely impact tested, receiving 4 stars in collision protection categories. You can also wash this seat by hand, meaning you’ll just need some wipes to clean off vomit, poop, and dropped food. In our mind this makes the seat incredibly easy to use and one of the best out there for newborns.
The car seat wiggle test
One more thing before you strap your newborn in!
Even when you’ve installed a car seat correctly, you should check it’s still in the right position before every journey.
To ensure this, you’ll want to use the ‘wiggle test’. This is where you take your non-dominant hand and wiggle the car seat from the belt path. The seat shouldn’t move too much – less than an inch is the safety standard.
Don’t wiggle from anywhere else, as this could lead to panic about incorrect installation unnecessarily.
Enjoy the experience
It’s only natural to feel nervous about the journey home. Just make sure to be prepared and enjoy the drive.
- Shop around for your car seat and buy with plenty of time before your new arrival.
- Don’t leave the car seat in its box until they’re ready to come home – practice putting the car seat in your car.
- Read up on how to dress your baby when leaving the hospital, and be cautious of layering too much between the seat belt and your baby (top tip above).
Good luck and enjoy the journey! 🙂
Wondering how much car seats cost?
Check out our blog to find out what you can expect to pay.