Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The right car seat for your infant is a key parenting purchase. With a myriad of child car seats and baby car seats to select from, it's important 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. These seats are often paired with strollers to form travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your infant or newborn is a necessity. These seats are designed to shield children from the dangers of the road and head injuries by ensuring they stay in the position that is recommended. All-stage car seats are able to protect infants, however they lack the safety features that are standard in infant car seats.
Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing and allow the child to use the seat up until the age of 15 months. Many of these seats include a baby insert that supports smaller babies and helps them stay comfortably. Additionally, reputable infant car seats have a recommended recline to ensure the child's head remains protected during the journey.
All infant car seats have to be approved according to the iSize standard and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The i-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04, therefore cars that have been approved to this standard are more likely to pass higher-quality side-impact crash tests, which is crucial for infants and newborns. Additionally, i-Size seats use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which offer even more protection for infants and toddlers.
Anyone who decides to purchase an infant car seat must be aware of how often they'll have to transfer it between vehicles. Those who frequently use taxis or car sharing services should search for a seat with a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn, that allows the seat to be set up in a matter of seconds. This allows the seat to be easily changed between different vehicles which makes it ideal for parents who need to make multiple journeys.
ADAC has awarded the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, meaning that it is a great protection for infants. Additionally, it comes with an ISOFIX base built-in, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
The Cosatto All in One, as with other infant car seats is designed to be used from birth and until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). It can rotate to make it easier to take your baby inside and out. It can be fitted using ISOFIX or a car seatbelt fitted with an over-tether. It's also easy to clean which can help with spills and staining.
Be aware that your child could outgrow their car seat quickly. Many parents must replace their seats within nine months or even sooner. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.
A car seat must comply with specific European safety standards to be sold. This includes rigorous testing in simulations of accidents, and the use specific types of materials to guard your child from side-impact injuries. There are two standards currently in force - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more strict and takes into consideration the weight and height when determining the classification of car seats for children.
Our experience has proven that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also known as i-Size, tend to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child facing backwards for a longer time. The only drawback is that they aren't used with a front-facing airbag, which may not be suitable for certain families. It is important to get in touch with the manufacturer prior purchasing if you're worried. They should be able to provide you with the latest information and suggestions for your particular situation.
Group 2
A car seat that is a group 2 is designed for infants that are big enough to upgrade from a Group 0+ but not yet old enough to use a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one seats however it's worth looking into if you're looking for an appropriate car seat for your child from birth up to about four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's crucial that your chosen seat is compliant with European safety standards. You can look for the E-mark to confirm that the seat is in compliance with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is designed to replace the previous regulation). This will help you ensure that the seat is safe for your child in a crash. Seats that are approved by i-Size are also easier to fit, have better protection from side impacts and can keep your baby facing rear for longer.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for infants up to 15 months old, is a great option with impressive crash test results. Its LATCH connectors are rigid and change colour when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base that helps to limit movement in the vehicle, and a hugging inlay for the baby’s head, neck and back to help maintain the proper posture.
Another alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has an swivel base that can rotate 360 degrees and a unique G-CELL system that ensures safety in side-impacts. It's more expensive than other seats, but it provides great protection and is a good value for money. Jasper found it comfortable on long journeys, and it appears more appealing than other seats we looked at, too.
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 minimum 9kg), but can be turned around and utilized forward-facing until the weight limit of 36kg.
They are generally comfortable and provide good neck and head support. Many come with removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for infants to ensure they are germ-free. One of the best models that we tested, Nuna PIPA aire Rx includes two inserts – one made of sustainable materials and the second made from GOTS certified organic cotton to ensure that your baby is more comfortable.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has a very easy to use design, with an adjustable recline that is single-handed and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. car seats by age 's also very easy to set up with ISOFIX and has an easy-to-read colour change indicator to show you've got it secured.
We wouldn't recommend changing groups fast, since children who are in the lower limits are more susceptible to injury in crashes. It is better to stay in your current seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are a few excellent options in this group. 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 option worth considering. It can help your child transition from the infant stage to the booster stage when they are four years old. It's not as expensive as the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of safety and comfort options such as a one-handed recline setting as well as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant seat in the group 4 is the latest addition to our collection. It has a slightly larger age range than previous groups and is aimed at children ranging from 6 to 6 years old. old. It can be used as a booster or in the rearward-facing position. This seat is highly praised for its versatility and for the fact that it is able to be used without a base. It's ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in rental cars or grandparents vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are integrated into the seat and can be inserted into the position with an enthralling click. It has a number of features that make it ideal for newborns. It includes the brand's hugging inlay the revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilating system and G-CELL technology for side impact protection to ensure your child's safety as they grow.
Our team of testers have reviewed several car seats for children to determine the most suitable one for you and your family. We assessed each model on its user-friendliness and the quality of the materials used and how comfortable the seat is for your child to sit in. We also assessed the safety of each car seat, considering whether it was iSize certified and how it performed in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For example, the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car's seat in crashes with low speeds and short braking distances.
We also looked at the value of each model, as this is a major factor for many parents. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, simple to install and include useful extras such as a sleeping bag that can be removed and the ability to change the cover.