When driving with your baby in the car, their safety is everything so it's understandable why you might want to consider some of the best lie flat car seats when thinking about buying a car seat for your newborn.
If you're not already familiar with lie flat car seats, they're a cart seat that allows baby to lay flat when travelling in the car. Research shows that lying flat is the healthiest position for newborns to be in when they're sleeping or lying still for prolonged periods of time, so it's understandable why you might opt for a lie flat car seat. Whatever car seat you decide to go for, remember that here in the UK, car seats are mandatory for transporting babies and all children under 12-years-old (or who are less than 135cm tall).
Lie flat car seats allow baby to breathe easier than car seats where baby is sat up slightly as it can make them slump over slightly, restricting their breathing. Laying flat is also the best position for encouraging the healthy development of baby's spine and hips. If you see your baby having to regularly be on longer car journeys (over 2 hours), where stopping frequently isn't an option then it's probably worth getting a lie flat car seat. The biggest downside to a lie flat car seat is that the seat may only last until your baby is around 6 months old so in terms of value for money, they aren't great as you may need to consider a toddler car seat as well.
Lie flat car seats are ideal if you're keen to keep your baby in the car seat when taking them out of the car to visit a friend's house or eat out at a restaurant without having to take a pushchair in as this is where many parents might exceed the two hour mark.
We've done all the research for you and found the best lie flat car seats for newborn babies. We've included some Mother&Baby Award winners that have been reviewed by our real parent testers that'll keep your baby safe when travelling.
The best lie flat car seats
1.
Joie i-Level
Best overall lie flat car seat
www.johnlewis.com
Description
This is a lie-flat lounger when strolling and allows baby to lie-flat for snoozes in the car. This car seat won silver in the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Newborn Car Seat category. cleverly converts in an instant from cuddly carrycot to infant car seat. Suitable rearward facing from birth, the i-Level features the ultimate protection and security for your little one. For your comfort, the Joie i-Level has an ergonomic carry handle and a full body insert which can easily be removed. The removable sun canopy shades your little one and features a zip-open ventilation panel to keep them comfy in any weather.
Our mum tester Alexandra said: 'This is a great car seat! The lie-down function just means that the car seat can be taken out of position in the car and put onto a stroller without having to wake the little person up to transfer them. This made life a lot easier! The fabric is all easy to wipe clean and washable. All feels very luxurious and comfortable with plenty of extra padding. Removable inserts for different weight children. I liked that the product has a QR code on the side which links directly to a website with instructions of how to install so if someone else was using the car Seat who is not familiar with it it is easy to access instructions. The Isofix is nice and neat (a lot smaller and lighter than some others on the market) Most importantly this is a safe car seat. It has been well tested and that is the most important thing for a car seat!'
Read our full Joie i-Level review
Pros
- Lie flat for both car journeys and strolls
- Machine washable insert
- Includes sun canopy
Cons
- Hood isn't sturdy
2.
Nuna CARI
Best lightweight lie flat car seat
www.johnlewis.com
Description
This carry cot car seat provides a very comfortable place for your baby to nap during car journeys. It's also very safe, allowing baby to lie completely flat while in the car which is best for spinal development and you won't have to disturb baby when getting them in and out of the car. It's NEXT system compatible if you have a travel system and although it's quite bulky in size, it's lightweight, weighing just 3.6kg.
Pros
- Fully reclines
- Toxin-free fabric
- Lightweight
Cons
- Very large
Best rotating lie flat car seat
www.johnlewis.com
Description
Enjoy all-round flexibility and comfort for you and your child with the Cloud Z2 i-Size. The clever rotation mechanism lets the seat face sideways for effortless entry and exit. A new in-car recline feature allows your child to relax during the journey, for even more comfort on the road. The Cloud Z2 i-Size is also flexible outside your vehicle: the seat can be reclined to a full lie-flat position as part of a travel system with a stroller.
Our mum tester said: "As a current user of the Cybex Cloud Z car seat, I was very excited to try this new version! The Cloud Z2 is very similar to the original one however the new feature of being able to lie it flat in the car is a great addition. This feature would mean a young baby could stay in the car seat for longer which is amazing for longer car journeys. This car seat is very safe and I appreciate all the additional safety features it has, but still looks stylish with a sleek and modern design."
Read the full Cybex Cloud Z2 i-Size review
Pros
- Swivel feature
- Easy to fit
Cons
- Difficult to carry
Best multistage lie flat car seat
www.johnlewis.com
Description
This car seat comes with lie flat technology allowing for baby to rest in a safe position. Available in a range of colours, you can install it with a support leg, or with an ISOFIX base and support leg. It attaches to selected pushchair frames. Thanks to the rotating base, it's easy to get baby in and out of the car.
Our mum tester Vicky said: 'I would recommend this product to fellow mums as it is very easy to use. The newborn insert keeps your delicate baby secure and supports their head, which is really important. The Isofix base tilts, which is great for positioning. The car seat is also pretty light, which really helps my posture when carrying it.'
Read our full Britax Römer BABY-SAFE i-SIZE review
Pros
- Rotating base
- Includes sun canopy
Cons
- Narrow in size
Best lie flat car seat for baby comfort
www.maxi-cosi.co.uk
Description
Available in a wide range of colours, this seat allows your baby to lie in a flat position at all times whether they're in the car or in their stroller. Meeting the highest safety standards, it provides the best protection for baby's neck and head.
One parent tester said: 'I purchased the Jade car seat after seeing at a trade show. I like the fact you could use it as a car seat but it also doubles up as a carry cot. My little boy who is 2 weeks old seems to love it and settles really well in it. I live about 30mins from town and the supermarket so it’s a god send knowing you i’m not restricted to the amount of time he spends in the jade car seat. Also it’s better for storage as your not doubling up on a carry cot and car seat. The Jade looks really good as well you wouldn’t actually know it was a car seat until you see the straps inside. It clips really easily in and out of the car. I’d highly recommended it to anyone.'
Pros
- Washable cover
- Comfortable for baby
Cons
- Doesn't last growing baby's very long
6.
Nuna ARRA
Best designed lie flat car seat
www.mamasandpapas.com
Description
The Nuna Arra newborn baby car seat provides a smooth transition from crib to infant carrier. Its three recline positions allow baby to lie comfortably, whether Arra is buckled in the backseat or attached to a pushchair. It’s i-Size-approved and lightweight, weighing just 3.9 kg (without insert or canopy). Doubling as a car seat and a carry cot, this reclining carrier means that even though life doesn’t stop, their sleep doesn’t have to either.
Our mum tester Helen said: "This car seat allows your baby to be in a reclined mode which is safer for them when travelling which is the most ergonomic position. Seeing as my baby loves the motion of the car she spends most of her time asleep in it so this is great for us. The leather handle is easy to grip and makes it look classy."
Read our full Nuna ARRA review
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to transition from car to stroller
Cons
- Small colour choice
www.pramworld.co.uk
Description
This car seat offers four different recline settings, so your baby can travel in an upright seated position (suitable from 0-18 months) or lying completely flat (from birth to nine months). In the lie-flat mode, covers attached with poppers convert it into a carrycot. It can also be attached to any Jané pushchair frame. It’s fairly heavy and the seat takes up quite a lot of space in the back of the car when it’s in recline mode. The base has to be purchased separately.
Mum tester Cora said: ‘This is bulky, but Lyla seemed comfortable. The lie-flat mode is great for newborns, but it seems expensive for a seat that is outgrown fairly quickly.’
Read our full Jané Matrix Light 2 review
Pros
- Four recline settings
- Great for long car journeys
Cons
- Heavy and takes up a lot of space
Choosing the right lie flat car seat for you
Before you purchase a lie flat car seat, you'll want to consider whether or not it's worth the investment for you. The majority of lie flat car seats are Group 0 car seats so will only last your little one until around the 6 month mark. However, if you expect to be regularly travelling on long journeys with your baby, then they're worth the money for your peace of mind and baby's safety in the car.
Some lie flat car seats are combination seats that can take you up to the next age stage (12-15 months). The only downside with this kind of car seat is the choices are fairly limited and they tend to be rather large and bulky so aren't ideal for smaller cars.
If it's a lie flat position you're looking for when out of the car, then you might be best to opt for a car seat that can lie flat in the buggy. These are great for visiting relatives, restaurants and shopping trips. These can also last longer up to around 12-18 months.
Lie flat car seat safety
It is a legal requirement for children to travel in a car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall. While standard car seats are perfectly safe for your child, young babies are safest in a lie flat position to help the healthy development of baby's spine and hips.
According to the Lullaby Trust, babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time and they should be taken out frequently. If possible, it's ideal if you have another adult sat with baby in the back to make sure they're okay. If baby changes position and slumps forward, then you should immediately stop and take them out
of the car seat and reposition them before continuing on your journey.
What age do babies not need to lie flat?
Where possible, it's advised that babies should lie flat until they're a year old. This is most essential in the first six months, particularly the early months. Usually, it's when your child can confidently sit up by themselves they don't need to be lying flat.
Are lie flat car seats worth it?
If your baby is premature or has other medical conditions then your baby should be in a lie flat car seat for safety reasons. Standard car seats are perfectly safe for most children, however, make sure your car journey times are kept to a minimum and baby can regularly have a stretch.
If this isn't an option for you and you regularly see yourself having to do longer car journeys with baby (that's over two-hours), then you may want to consider a lie flat car seat for their safety and your peace of mind.