Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?

The best car seats newborn car seat is an important purchase for parents. With a wide variety of child car seats and baby car seats to select from, it's important to be fully clued up.

These rear-facing seats, which are generally R129 or Group 0+ (i-Size) baby car seats for infants, are suitable from birth. They often combine with a pram in travel systems.

Group 0+

If you're a parent of an infant or newborn car seat, an infant car seat is an essential item to have. These seats are designed to shield babies from the dangers of the road and head injuries by ensuring that they stay in the recommended position. Although all-stage car seats newborn seats can also offer protection for babies however they do not have the advanced safety features that come with infant car seats.

Infant car seats are usually rear-facing, and allow the baby to ride in the seat until the age of 15 months. Many of these models include infant inserts to help smaller babies and ensure they are in a comfortable position. Good infant car seats include recline recommendations to safeguard the child's brain during the ride.

All infant car seats have to be approved according to the iSize standard, and must comply with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is more sophisticated than R44/04, so cars that have been approved to this standard are more likely to pass more effective side-impact tests, which are 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.

When purchasing a new car seat, parents should think about how often they will need to move it from one vehicle to another. If you use taxis and car sharing services often choose a model that is unique in its baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This makes it possible for the seat to be put in place in just a few seconds. This makes it possible for the seat to be easily swapped between vehicles. It is ideal for parents who have to take frequent trips.

ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an outstanding safety rating, which means it offers excellent protection for infants. It also has an ISOFIX base that is built-in and 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 rotates to make it easy to put your baby in and out. It can be put in using ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt with a top tether. It is also easy to clean, which is helpful for spills and staining.

It's worth remembering that your baby can outgrow an infant car seat very quickly. Many parents are forced to replace their seats by nine months, or even earlier. The majority of manufacturers advise switching seats when your child's top is within a centimeter of the edge of the seat's top.

A car seat has to comply with certain European safety standards to be sold. This includes rigorous tests in accident simulations and the use of specific types of materials to safeguard your child from side impact injuries. There are two standards in force currently - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size), which is more stringent and considers the weight and height when classifying child car seats.

Our experience has shown that seats that meet the R129 standard, also referred to 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 to these seats is that they can't be used with an airbag for the front passenger, which may not suit some families. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturer if you have any concerns prior to purchasing. They should be able provide you with the most up-to-date information and advice for your particular situation.

Group 2

A group 2 car seat is designed for infants that are sufficient to be upgraded from a group 0+ but not yet old enough to use a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not as popular as all-in-ones, but is worth considering if you're looking for a seat to take your baby from birth to about four years old. age.

It is crucial that the car seat you pick meets European safety standards. Look for the E mark to ensure that the seat meets ECE R44/04, also known as i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulation) to ensure you're purchasing a seat that protects your child from harm in the event of a crash. Seats that have i-Size approval are also easier to fit and offer better protection from side impacts and can keep your baby facing rear for longer.

For babies up to about 15 months, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top option with impressive crash test sensor results. It is one of the easiest installation methods thanks to its LATCH connectors that change color when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base that reduces movement in the vehicle and an inlay to hug the baby seat's neck, head and back to ensure the proper posture.

Another great option is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, which also features a 360-degree swivel base and has a unique GELL system that maintains the seat's protection in case of side impacts. It's more expensive than some of the other seats but offers a great value and superior protection. Jasper found it comfortable on long journeys, and it appears nicer than some of the other seats we looked at as well.

Group 3

A group 3 infant car seat is a three-in-one seat that will serve your child from birth up to the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some up to at least 9kg) However, they can be turned around and used forward-facing until the weight limit of 36kg.

These seats are generally very comfortable and provide good head and neck support. They are often equipped with washable and removable padding for infants, which ensures that they remain germ-free. One of the best models we have tested, the Nuna PIPA Air Rx, even has two inserts - one made from sustainably-sourced materials, the other from organic cotton certified by GOTS, to ensure your baby is more snug.

In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has a very easy to use design, with a single-handed recline setting and no less than 12 headrest positions. It is also easy to install with ISOFIX and has a handy color change indicator when it's secure.

We wouldn't recommend swapping groups too soon, as children at the lower limits of each group could be more susceptible to injuries in a crash, therefore it's best car seat infant to hold on to your old seat until your child is at their new limit. That said, there are some great alternatives in this group We particularly like the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that can ensure your child's safety until their 12th birthday, which is a great choice for long-term use.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another excellent option. It can allow your child to go from the newborn stage to the booster stage at four years old. It's not as expensive as the highly-rated Silver Cross, and features a wide range of safety and comfort features, such as the ability to recline with one hand and no less than 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat in the group 4 is the most recent addition to our list. It is slightly more age range than the previous groups and is targeted at children up to six years old. It can be used as a booster or in the rearward-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of being used without any base, making it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive trips or trips in hire vehicles or the vehicles of grandparents. It has built-in ISOFIX connectors that click into the vehicle's base with a satisfying click. It has a number of features that make this car seat ideal for infants. It includes the brand's hugging design, an innovative ClimaFlow ventilating system, and G-CELL technology side impact protection to ensure your child is protected as they develop.

Our team of testers has reviewed several car seats for children to help you find the most suitable one for you and your family. We rated each one by its ease of use and the quality of the materials used as well as comfort for your baby. We also assessed the safety of each car seat, including whether it was i-Size approved and how well 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 low-speed impacts 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 infant car seats have an affordable price, are easy to fit and come with useful features like a removable sleeping bag and reversible cover.