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

The best car seat is an essential 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 seats are suitable from the time of birth. They often go with a pram to create travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat inserts for newborns seat for your newborn or infant 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 recommended position. All-stage car seats are also able to protect babies, but they lack the safety features that are standard in infant car seats.

Typically, a baby car seat is rear-facing, and allows the baby to be in the car seat until they're approximately 15 months old. Many of these models include an insert for newborns to help infants and ensure they are in a comfortable position. Good infant car seats have recline guidelines to protect the child's mind during the journey.

All infant car seats must be approved according to the iSize standard and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The iSize standard is far more sophisticated than R44/04. This means that cars that are approved by this regulation are likely to be more secure in side impact crash tests. This is crucial for infants and newborns. The i-Size seats also use the more advanced Q-series crash test dummies to offer even more protection for infants.

Those who choose to buy an infant car seat must consider how often they'll need to transfer it between cars. If you use taxis and car sharing services often choose a model that is unique in its baseless style, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This makes it possible for the seat to be installed in a matter of minutes. This allows the seat to be swiftly changed between different vehicles which makes it ideal for parents who have to take multiple trips.

ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an outstanding safety rating, which means that it provides excellent protection for infants. Additionally, it comes with an ISOFIX base that is built-in and an EPS energy absorbing foam.

Group 1

Like many other infant car seat, the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years old (or 36 kg). It rotates to make it easy to put your baby in and out. It can be fitted with ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt that has top tether. It's also easy to clean which helps with any spills or staining.

Be aware that your child could outgrow a car seat very quickly. Many parents need to replace their seat 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.

In order to be sold the 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 caused by collisions. There are two standards in force in force - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more rigorous and takes into consideration both height and weight when determining the appropriateness of child car seats.

Based on our experience, seats that are approved to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be more secure, less difficult to install and allow your child rearward-facing for longer. The only drawback with these seats is that they are unable to be used with an airbag for the front passenger, which may not suit 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 suggestions for your specific situation.

Group 2

A car seat that is a group 2 is designed for infants that are large enough to be upgraded from a Group 0+, but are not yet old enough for a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not as widely used as the all-in-one models however it's something to keep in mind if you want an infant car seat that can take your child from birth right up to about four years old. of age.

As with all car seats, it's crucial that your chosen seat is in compliance with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to confirm that the seat meets ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulation) to ensure that you're getting the right seat that will safeguard your child well in a crash. Seats that have i-Size approval are also easier to install, have better protection from side impact and can keep your baby rear-facing for longer.

It is designed for babies of around 15 months and up, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top pick with impressive crash test results and one of the easiest installation methods thanks to its LATCH connectors which change colour when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base which reduces the movement of the vehicle and an inlay to hug the baby’s head, neck, and back to support proper posture.

Another alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has an swivel base that can rotate 360 degrees and has a unique G-CELL system that provides the seat's protection in case of side impacts. It's more expensive than other seats, but it provides excellent protection and good value for money. Jasper found it comfortable on long trips and it looks better than the other seats we tried also.

Group 3

A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth until the booster stage. These seats start off rearward-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and can later be turned to face forwards. They can be used in this way until they reach their maximum weight of 36kg.

They are generally comfortable and provide good neck and head support. They are often equipped with washable and removable padding for infants, which ensures that they are hygienic. One of the best infant car seat models that we tested, Nuna PIPA air Rx has two inserts, one made of sustainable materials and the other made of GOTS certified organic cotton to ensure your baby feels more comfortable.

This model not only has impressive crash test results but it also has a user-friendly design. It comes with an adjustable reclining feature that is single-handed and 12 different headrest positions. It is also easy to install using ISOFIX and has a handy color change indicator to show when it's secure.

We wouldn't recommend changing groups too quickly, as children who are in the lower limits are more susceptible to injury during a crash. It's best infant car seat to keep your old 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 their 12th birthday.

Another option is Cozy N Safe Arthur, which will take your baby from newborn right up to the four-year-old booster stage. It's not as expensive the top-rated Silver Cross and has a range of comfort and safety options that include a single recline option and as many as 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat of the group 4 is the newest addition to our list of. It is designed for children who are between the ages of 6 and 6. It can be used as a booster or in the rearward-facing position. This seat is highly rated for its versatility, and for the fact that it can be used without the need for a base. It is ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, or trips in grandparents' or rental car vehicles. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that click into the vehicle's base with a satisfying click. It also has a variety of features that make it ideal for newborns, including the brand's hugging-style inlay a revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side impact technology that helps keep your child safe as he develops.

Our team of testers have reviewed several group 4 car seats in order to find the most suitable one for you and your family. We assessed each model on 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 examined the safety of each seat, considering whether it was iSize-approved and how it performed in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For instance the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car's seat in low-speed impacts as well as short braking distances.

We also analyzed the worth of each model, because this is an important factor for many parents. Our top-rated infant car seats come at a an affordable price they are easy to put in and come with useful accessories like a movable sleeping bag and reversible cover.