Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The
best car seat is a crucial purchase for parents. With a variety of car seats for children and baby car seats to pick from, it's essential to be fully clued up.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from the moment of birth. They are often combined with a pram to form travel systems.
Group 0+
If you're a parent with a newborn or
infant car seat in front seat, an infant car seat is a must-have. These seats are made specifically for infants to shield them from dangers on the road such as head injuries. They do this by keeping them in the correct position. All-stage car seats are able to protect infants, but they do not have the added safety features of infant car seats.
The typical infant car seat is rear-facing and allows the baby to be in the seat until they're around 15 months old. Many of these models also come with a newborn insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and helps them stay comfortable.
Good infant car seats offer recline suggestions to safeguard the child's brain during the journey.
All infant car seats have to be approved according to the iSize standard and must meet European safety standards. The I-Size standard is far more advanced than R44/04, therefore cars that are approved to this standard tend to have higher-quality side-impact crash tests, which are crucial for newborns and infants. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated crash test dummies from the Q-series, which provide even more safety protection for infants and toddlers.
When buying an
infant car seats uk car seat, buyers should consider how frequently they will need to move it from one vehicle to another. For those who regularly use taxis or car sharing services should look for a model that has a unique baseless design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn that allows the seat to be set up in seconds. This allows the seat to be swiftly moved between cars, making it ideal for parents who regularly need to make multiple journeys.
ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an outstanding safety rating, which means it offers excellent protection for infants. It also comes with an ISOFIX base built in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
Like many other infant car seats like the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). It is able to rotate in order to get your baby in and out. It can be fitted with ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt fitted with top tether. It is also easy to clean, which is great for spills and staining.
It's important to keep in mind that your baby can outgrow a car seat for infants quite quickly - many parents find they have to replace their seats by nine months or earlier. The majority of manufacturers advise switching seats when your child's height is within one inch of the edge of the seat's top.
To be sold, a car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This includes rigorous tests in crash simulations and the use of specific types of materials to safeguard your child from injuries sustained by side impacts. There are currently two standards in force in force - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more strict and considers both height and weight when determining the appropriateness of car seats for children.
Our experience has proven that seats that are approved to the R129 standard, also referred to as i-Size, tend to be safer and easier to install. They also allow your child seated rearwards for a longer time. The only downside is that they cannot be used with a front passenger airbag which might not be suitable for certain families. It is important to check with the manufacturer for any concerns prior to purchasing. They should be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information and suggestions for your specific situation.
Group 2
A car seat that is a group 2 is designed for infants who are sufficient to upgrade from a Group 0+ but not yet old enough to use a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-ones but it's worth a look when you're looking for an appropriate car seat for your baby from birth to around four years old. age.
Like all car seats, it's crucial that the seat you choose to use is in compliance 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 regulation) to be sure you're buying a seat that protects your child from harm in the event of a crash. Seats with i-Size approval are also more streamlined to fit, have better protection from side impacts and will keep your baby facing rear for longer.
For babies up to about 15 months and up to about 15 months, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top choice with outstanding crash test sensor results. It is one of the most simple installations thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors that change colour when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base that reduces movement in the vehicle and an inlay that hug the baby’s head, neck and back to help maintain the proper posture.
Another option is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has the 360-degree swivel base, and has a unique GELL system that ensures safety in side-impacts. It's more expensive than the other seats, but it gives excellent protection and good value for money. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long trips and it looks better than the other seats we looked at as well.
Group 3
A group 3 infant car seat is a triple-in-one car seat that will serve your child from birth right through to the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some up until your child weighs at minimum 9kg) However, they can be changed to be used forward-facing until the weight limit is 36kg.
They are generally comfortable and provide good head and neck support. They are often equipped with washable and removable padding for newborns, ensuring that they remain germ-free. One of the most effective models that we tested, Nuna PIPA aire Rx includes two inserts – one made of eco-friendly materials and the other made from GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure that your baby feels more comfortable.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has a very easy to use design, which includes an adjustable recline that is single-handed and no less than 12 headrest positions. It is also easy to set up using ISOFIX and has a handy color-changing indicator to indicate when it's secured.
We wouldn't recommend swapping groups too early as children at the lower limits of each group could be more prone to injury in a crash so it's a good idea to hold in your old seat until your child is at their new limit. That said, there are some excellent alternatives in this category which we particularly like. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will keep your child safe until the age of 12, so is an excellent choice for long-term usage.
Another option is Cozy N Safe Arthur, which can take your baby from newborn right up to their four-year-old booster stage. It's not as expensive the top-rated Silver Cross and has a range of comfort and safety options, including a one handed recline option and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The
portable infant car seat car seat is the newest addition to our list of top infant car seats. It is designed specifically for children aged up to six. It can be used as an infant seat or in the rear-facing position. We highly rated this seat for its versatility and the possibility of it being used without a base, making it perfect for taxi rides, fly-drive trips or trips in hire cars or the vehicles of grandparents. It comes with built-in ISOFIX connectors that snap into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying clunk. It also has a variety of features that make it suitable for infants, such as the brand's hugging-style inlay, the revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side-impact technology to ensure your child's safety as he develops.
Our team of testers looked at various car seats for group 4 to determine the best option for you and your family. We rated each one in terms of its user-friendliness and the quality of the materials used as well as comfort for your child. We also looked at the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize-approved and its performance in crash tests. We also looked at the safety ratings given by independent safety experts. For instance, the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat during high-speed collisions as well as short braking distances.
We also examined the value of each product because it is a factor that many parents consider essential. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, simple to install and come with useful features like a sleeping bag which can be removed as well as the ability to change the cover.