Infant car seats newborn Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The right car seat for your infant is a key parenting purchase. It is important to understand the differences between car seats for children and infant car seats.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from the moment of birth. They often go with a pram in travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your newborn baby or infant is a necessity. These seats are made for babies to protect them from road hazards and head injuries. They do this by keeping them in the correct position. All-stage car seats are also capable of protecting infants, but they do not have the safety features that are standard in infant car seats.
Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing and allow the baby to sit in the seat until the age of 15 months. Many of these seats come with a newborn insert that supports smaller babies and helps them stay comfortable. Good infant car seats include recline recommendations to safeguard the child's brain during the journey.
All infant car seats must be approved to the i-Size standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The iSize standard is far more sophisticated than R44/04. This means that cars approved under this regulation are more likely to have superior side impact crash tests. This is crucial for infants and newborns. Additionally, iSize seats utilize 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 should think about how often they'll need to transfer it between vehicles. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services often, look for a model that has a unique baseless style, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to easily be installed in a matter of minutes. This allows the seat to be swiftly switched between different cars which makes it ideal for parents who have to take multiple trips.
The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been awarded an outstanding safety rating by ADAC which means that it offers extremely good protection for babies and infants. In addition, it has an ISOFIX base 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 reaches 12 years old (or 36kg). Like Group 0+ seats, it can rotate so it's easy to get the baby in and out, can be used with ISOFIX or a car seat belt with the top tether. It is rear-facing. It's also easy to clean, which aids in cleaning any spills or staining.
Keep in mind that your child may outgrow a car seat very quickly. Many parents need to replace their seat within nine months, or earlier. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.
To be marketed car seats, they must meet certain European safety standards. This includes rigorous tests in crash simulations and the use of certain types of material to protect your child from injuries caused by collisions. There are two standards currently in force - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more rigorous and considers both height and weight when classifying car seats for children.
Based on our experience, seats that conform to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be safer, easier to install and keep your child rear-facing for a longer time. The only downside to these seats is that they are unable to be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not be suitable for 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 specific to your situation.
Group 2
A group 2 baby car seat is suitable for infants who are large enough to transition from a Group 0+ child car seat but aren't yet out of a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one seats, but is worth considering if you're looking for a seat to take your child from birth up to about four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's crucial that your chosen seat is in compliance 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 set to replace the old regulation). This will help you to make sure that the seat will be safe for your child from injury in a crash. Seats that have the i-Size certification are simpler to install, and provide better protection against side impacts, and can keep your child rear-facing longer.
Designed for newborns up to approximately 15 months old and up, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top pick with outstanding crash test results and one of the simplest installations thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors which change colour when properly connected. It also has a handy pivot base that reduces the movement of your car and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's head, neck and back to support their posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is an alternative. It also features 360-degree base swivel as well as a unique G Cell system that provides protection against collisions with the sides. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it provides superior protection and a great value for money. Jasper found it comfortable for long journeys and it looks better than the other seats we tried, too.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth to the booster stage. The seats are rear-facing (some until your child weighs at least 9kg) and can later be turned to face forwards - they can be used in this manner until they reach the limit of 36kg.
These seats are generally very comfortable and offer excellent neck and head support. They are often equipped with washable and removable padding for babies, making sure that they are hygienic. One of the most effective models we've tested was the Nuna PIPA aire 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.
This model is not just equipped with impressive crash test results, but also a very user-friendly design. It includes a single-handed reclining setting and 12 different headrest positions. It's also simple to install using ISOFIX and comes with a handy indicator that changes color to show when it's secure.
We don't recommend changing groups too quickly, as children in the lower limit are more susceptible to injury during an accident. It is better to stay in your current seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are a few excellent alternatives in this category. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will last until their 12th birthday.
Another option is 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 costly as the top-rated Silver Cross, and features an extensive array of safety and comfort features, like a one-handed recline setting and more than 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant car seat swivel seat in the group 4 is the most recent addition to our list. It has a slightly higher age range than the previous groups and is targeted at children up to six years of age. It can either be used as a booster seat or in the rear-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of it being used without any base, making it perfect for taxi rides, fly-drive vacations or trips in hire cars or grandparent's vehicles. It comes with built-in ISOFIX connectors that click into the vehicle's base with a satisfying click. It is equipped with numerous features that make it perfect for babies. These include the brand's hugging inlay an innovative ClimaFlow ventilating system, and G-CELL technology side impact protection to ensure your child's safety as they grow.
Our team of testers reviewed a number of different car seats for group 4 to find the best car seats newborn options for you and your family. We assessed each model on its user-friendliness as well as the quality of the materials used and how comfortable the seat is for your baby to sit in. We also looked at the safety of each seat, including whether it was iSize certified and how well it performed in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For example, the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat newborn seat during low-speed impacts and short brake distances.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1091/maxi-cosi-kore-i-size-high-back-booster-seat-3-5-12-years-100-150-cm-isofix-car-seat-adjustable-height-width-side-protection-system-plus-quick-easy-buckle-up-authentic-black-1091.jpg)We also analyzed the worth of each model, because this is a major factor for parents of all ages. Our top-rated car seats for infants are affordable in cost, easy to install and come with useful accessories such as a sleeping bag that can be removed, as well as a reversible cover.
