Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The best car seat is an essential parenting purchase. It's important to know the difference between car seats for children and infant car seats.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from the time of birth. These seats are often paired with strollers to form travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your newborn or infant is a necessity. These seats are designed to protect children from the dangers of the road including head injuries by ensuring that they remain in the correct position. All-stage car seats are equipped to safeguard infants, but they do not have the added safety features of infant car seats.
Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing and allow the child to use the seat until 15 months of age. Many of these models come with an insert for newborns to help smaller babies and ensure they are at ease. Furthermore, the best infant car seats come with a recommended recline to ensure that the child's head is protected throughout the ride.
best car seats for newborns uk must be certified to the i-Size standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is far more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars approved to this regulation are more likely to pass better side-impact crash tests, which is essential for newborns and infants. Additionally, i-Size seats use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which provide even more safety protection for toddlers and infants.
When buying an infant car seat, buyers should consider how frequently they will require it to be moved from one vehicle to another. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services frequently you should look for a seat with a unique baseless style, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This makes it possible for the seat to be installed in a matter of just a few seconds. This allows the seat to be swiftly moved between cars which makes it ideal for parents who have to take multiple trips.
The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been given an excellent safety rating by ADAC, meaning that it provides excellent protection for babies and infants. Additionally, it comes with a built-in ISOFIX base and an EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
Like many other infant car seat like the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years old (or 36 kg). Similar to the Group 0+ seats, it can rotate so you can easily put the baby in and out, fit using ISOFIX or a cars seatbelt with the top tether. It is rear-facing. It is also easy to clean, which is beneficial for spills and staining.
Be aware that your child could outgrow a car seat very quickly. Many parents must replace their seats within nine months, or sooner. Most manufacturers recommend switching seats when your child's top is within a centimeter of the edge of the seat's top.
A car seat must comply with specific European safety standards to be sold. This includes rigorous tests in crash simulations and the use of certain types of materials to protect your child from injuries caused by collisions. Two standards are in effect at the moment - ECE R44 and R129 also known as i-Size, which is more stringent and takes into account the height and weight when determining the weight of car seats.
In our experience, seats that are approved to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be more secure and easier to fit and can keep your child rearward-facing for longer. The only drawback to these seats is that they are unable to be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not work for certain families. It's important to get in touch with the manufacturer prior purchasing if you are concerned. They should be able to provide you with the latest information and advice on your particular situation.
Group 2
A group 2 baby car seat is suitable for infants who are large enough to transition from a Group 0+ seat but aren't yet able to get out of a Group 1 convertible seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one seats however it's worth looking into if you're looking for a seat to take your child from birth up until around four years of age.
It is important that the car seat you pick is compliant with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to see that the seat meets ECE R44/04 or iSize (which will eventually replace the old regulations) to ensure that you're buying the right seat that will safeguard your child well in the event of a crash. Seats with i-Size approval are also more streamlined to fit and provide greater protection against side impacts and allow your baby to remain rear-facing for a longer period of time.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for infants up to 15 months old, is a top choice with impressive crash test results. Its rigid LATCH connectors change color when properly connected. It also has a handy pivot base that reduces movement in the car, and an inlay designed to hug the baby's neck, head and back to ensure their posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another good option. It also features an swivel base that is 360 degrees and an exclusive G Cell system that offers protection during collisions with the sides. It's more expensive than the other seats, but it gives great protection and is a good value. Jasper found it comfortable for long journeys, and it appears better than the other seats we looked at also.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth to booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some to at least 9kg) However, they can be changed to be utilized forward-facing until the maximum weight limit of 36kg.
These seats are typically comfortable, and offer good head and neck support. Many of them come with removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for newborns to help keep them clean. One of the best models we have tested is Nuna PIPA aire Rx has two inserts, one made of eco-friendly materials and the other made from GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure your baby feels super cozy.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model comes with an extremely user-friendly design, which includes an adjustable recline that is single-handed and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It's also very easy to set up using ISOFIX and comes with a handy colour change indicator to show you've got it secure.
We wouldn't recommend swapping groups too soon, as children at the lower limits of each group can be more susceptible to injury in a crash, therefore it's best to hold in your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are a few excellent alternatives in this category. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last your child until the 12th birthday of their child.
Cozy N Safe Arthur is another great option. It can take your child from the infant stage until the booster stage at 4 years old. It's not as costly as the highly-rated Silver Cross, and features an extensive array of safety and comfort features, like the ability to recline with one hand and more than 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The group 4 infant car seat is the latest addition to our list of top infant car seats. It has a slightly larger age range than the previous ones and is aimed at children ranging from 6 to 6 years old. old. It can be used as a booster seat or in the rear-facing position. This seat was highly rated for its versatility and because it is able to be used without a base. It is ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in grandparents' or rental car vehicles. It has built-in ISOFIX connectors that connect to the vehicle's base with a satisfying clunk. It also has a variety of features that make it suitable for babies, including the brand's hugging inlay, the revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilation system, and G-CELL side-impact technology to ensure your child's safety as he grows.
Our team of testers has reviewed various car seats for children to determine the best option for you and your family members. We evaluated each model based on its ease-of-use as well as the quality of materials used and comfort for your baby. We also looked at the safety of each car seat, focusing on whether it was iSize-approved and how it performed in crash tests. We also considered the safety ratings given by independent safety experts, such as the Swedish Plus test, which evaluates a car seat's performance in both low-speed crashes and short braking distances.
We also looked at the value of each product, as it is a factor that many parents consider crucial. Our top-rated car seats for infants are at a low cost, easy to install and include useful extras like sleeping bags that can be removed, as well as the ability to change the cover.