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Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The best car seat is an important purchase for parents. With a variety of car seats for children and baby car seats to choose from, it's essential to be informed.
Usually, Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing seats are suitable from the moment of birth. These seats are often combined with strollers to create travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your infant or newborn is a must. These seats are designed to protect children from the dangers of the road and head injuries by ensuring that they remain in the correct position. Although all-stage car seats can also offer protection for babies however they do not have the advanced safety features found in infant car seats.
Typically, a baby car seat is rear-facing and allows babies to ride in the car seat until they're about 15 months old. Many of these seats come with a newborn insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and allows them to remain comfortable. Furthermore, reputable infant car seats come with a recommended recline to ensure the child's head is protected throughout 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 the R44/04 standard. This means that cars that are approved under this regulation are likely to have superior side impact crash tests. This is crucial for newborns and babies. Additionally, iSize seats utilize more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies, which gives even greater safety protection for toddlers and infants.
When choosing a baby car seat, buyers must consider how frequently they will need to move it from one vehicle to another. People who frequently use taxis or car sharing services should search for a model 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, making it ideal for parents who require multiple trips.
ADAC has awarded the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, which means it is a great protection for infants. It also comes with an ISOFIX base integrated and EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
The Cosatto All in One, like many other infant car seats designed for babies, can be used from birth until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). Like the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so you can easily put the baby in and out, be used with ISOFIX or a cars seatbelt with the top tether. It is rear-facing. It is also easy to clean, which is great in case of spills or staining.
best car seat newborn uk to remember that your child can outgrow an infant car seat quite quickly. Many parents discover they need to replace the seat within nine months, or earlier. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different seat when your child's head is within one inch of the top of the car seat.
In order to be sold the car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This includes testing rigorously in accident simulations, and the use specific types of materials to guard your child from side impact injuries. Two standards are in effect at the moment in force - ECE R44 and R129 also known as i-Size. The latter is more strict and considers the height and weight when classifying car seats.
Our experience has proven that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also referred to as i-Size, tends to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child seated rearwards for a longer period of time. The only downside to these seats is that they can't be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not be suitable for certain families. It is essential to get in touch with the manufacturer prior purchasing if you're worried. They should be able provide you with the latest information and advice for your particular situation.
Group 2
A baby car seat is for babies who are big enough to move up from a Group 0+ seat but aren't yet out of a Group 1 convertible seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one car seats, but is worth considering if you're looking for an appropriate car seat for your child from birth up to around four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's important that your chosen seat is compliant with European safety standards. You can check for the E-mark and ensure that the seat is compliant with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is being replaced by the previous regulation). This will help you to make sure that the seat will protect your child in the event of a crash. Seats with the i-Size certification are simpler to install, and provide better protection against side impacts and can keep your child facing rear for longer.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, designed for newborns to 15 months old, is an excellent option with impressive crash test results. Its rigid LATCH connectors change color when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base that helps to limit movement in the vehicle and an inlay that hug the baby's neck, head and back to help maintain proper posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another good option. It also has a 360-degree base swivel and an exclusive G Cell system that offers protection against side impacts. It's more expensive than other seats, but it provides excellent protection and good value for money. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long journeys, and it appears nicer than some of the other seats we tried, too.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth until the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some to at minimum 9kg) however, they can be turned around and utilized forward-facing until the weight limit is 36kg.
They are generally comfortable and provide good head and neck support. A lot of them come with washable and removable padding for babies, making sure that they are hygienic. One of the top models we have tested is the Nuna PIPA Air Rx comes with two inserts, one made of sustainably-sourced materials, and the second made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, to keep your baby feeling super cozy.
As well as having impressive crash test results, this model comes with a very easy to use design, with an adjustable recline that is single-handed and no less than 12 headrest positions. It's also easy to install using ISOFIX and comes with an excellent indicator that changes colour to let you know when it's secure.
We don't recommend switching groups too early as children at the lower limits of each group may be more susceptible to injury in a crash, therefore it's best to hold in your old seat until your child is at their new limit. There are some great alternatives in this group - we especially like the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that can keep your child safe until their 12th birthday, so is an excellent choice for long-term usage.
Another great alternative is the Cozy N Safe Arthur, that will take your child from the time they were born to the four-year-old booster stage. It's not as expensive as the top-rated Silver Cross and has a variety of comfort and safety options such as a one-handed recline setting and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The group 4 infant seat is the newest addition to our collection. It is slightly more age range than previous groups and is aimed at children up to six years older. It can be used as a booster or in the rearward-facing position. The seat was highly praised for its versatility, and because it can be used without having a base. It's 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 is equipped with numerous features that make this car seat perfect for babies. This includes the brand's hugging design, the revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilating system and G-CELL technology for side impact protection to ensure that your child is safe as they grow.
Our team of testers reviewed various car seats in the group 4 category to find the best options for you and your family. We evaluated each model based for its ease of use as well as the quality of its materials and how comfortable the seat is for your child to sit in. We also considered the safety of each model and weighed in whether it was iSize certified and its performance in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings given by independent safety experts. For example the Swedish Plus test which examines a car seat’s performance during crashes with low speeds as well as short braking distances.
We also considered the value of each item, as it is something that a lot of parents consider important. Our top-rated infant car seats come at a a low cost and are easy to install and come with useful extras such as a sleeping bag that can be removed and reversible cover.