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

Choosing the right car seat for your baby is an essential purchase for parents. With a myriad of child car seats and baby car seats to select from, it's important to be informed.

Usually, Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear facing infant car seat-facing ones are suitable from the time of birth. They often go with a pram to create travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your newborn baby or infant is a must. These seats are designed to protect babies from the dangers of driving, including head injuries, by ensuring that they remain in the position that is recommended. Although all-stage car seats can also offer protection for babies but they lack the added safety features that come with infant car seats.

Infant car seats are usually rear-facing and allow the baby to sit in the seat until the age of 15 months. Many of these models also include a baby car seat insert that is designed to accommodate babies who are smaller and helps them stay comfortable. Additionally, reputable infant car seats include recommended recline to ensure that the child's head remains protected throughout the ride.

All infant car seats should be certified to the i-Size standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The i-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04, therefore cars that are approved to this standard tend to have better side-impact crash tests, which are crucial for newborns and infants. Additionally, i-Size seats use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which gives even greater safety protection for infants and toddlers.

Anyone who decides to purchase an infant car Seats Uk car seat must think about how often they'll need to move it between vehicles. If you use taxis and car sharing services often you should look for a seat with a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to be installed within minutes. This allows the seat to be quickly swapped between different vehicles. It is ideal for parents who have to make frequent trips.

ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, meaning that it offers excellent protection for infants. In addition, it has a built-in ISOFIX base 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 until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). It is able to rotate in order to put your baby in and out. It can be fitted with ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt fitted with a top tether. It's also easy to clean which aids in cleaning any spills or staining.

It's important to keep in mind that your baby can outgrow a car seat for infants quite quickly. Many parents find they have to replace the seat within nine months, or even earlier. Most manufacturers suggest moving on to a new seat as soon as your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.

To be sold car seats, they must meet certain European safety standards. This includes rigorous tests in accident simulations and the use of certain kinds of materials to protect your child from injuries sustained by side impacts. There are two standards currently in force currently - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more strict and considers both weight and height when determining the classification of car seats for children.

Our experience has shown us that seats that meet the R129 standard, also referred to as i-Size, tend to be safer and easier to install. They also allow your child facing rearwards for a longer period of 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 some families. It is important to get in touch with the manufacturer prior buying if you're concerned. They should be able provide you with the most up-to-date information and guidance on your particular situation.

Group 2

A car seat that is a group 2 is designed for infants who are sufficient to be upgraded from a Group 0+, but are not yet old enough for a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one car seats, but is worth considering when you're looking for a seat to take your baby seat from birth until around four years of age.

Like all car seats, it's important that the seat you choose to use is in compliance with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to ensure that it meets ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulations) to be sure you're buying the right seat that will safeguard your child well in the event of a crash. Seats that have i-Size approval are also easier to install and offer greater protection against side impacts and allow your baby to remain rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Designed for newborns up to approximately 15 months old and up, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top option with impressive crash test sensor results. It is one of the simplest installation methods thanks to its LATCH connectors that change color when properly connected. It also has a handy swivel base that helps reduce the movement of your car and a hugging-style inlay for the baby's head, neck and back to help maintain their posture.

Another great alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has the 360-degree swivel base, and has a unique G-CELL system that provides protection in side impacts. It's a little more expensive than some of the other seats but provides a good value and great protection. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long journeys, and it appears more appealing than other seats we looked at as well.

Group 3

A group 3 infant seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth to booster stage. They start rearward-facing (some until your child is at least 9kg) and can then be turned around to face forwards. They can be used in this way until they reach the limit of 36kg.

These seats are typically comfortable, and offer good head and neck support. Many come with removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for newborns to help keep them clean. One of the most effective models we've tested is the Nuna PIPA aire Rx has two inserts - one made of sustainably-sourced materials, and the second made of organic cotton that is GOTS-certified, to ensure your baby is more snug.

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

We wouldn't recommend changing groups too quickly, as children who are in the lower limits are more prone to injury during an accident. It's better to keep your old seat until they reach their new limit. That said, there are some very good alternatives in this group - we especially like the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, which will ensure your child's safety until the age of 12, so is an excellent choice for long-term usage.

Another option is Cozy N Safe Arthur, which can take your baby from newborn right up to their four-year-old booster stage. It's not as costly as the highly-rated Silver Cross, and features a good range of safety and comfort features, such as recline settings that can be adjusted with one hand, and at least 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The group 4 infant car seat is the most recent addition to our list of best car seats for infants baby car seats. It is designed specifically for children from ages 0 to 6. It can be used either as a booster or in the rearward-facing position. We highly rated this seat for its versatility and the possibility of it being used without having a base, which makes it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive vacations or trips in rental cars or the vehicles of grandparents. It has built-in ISOFIX connectors that click into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying click. It comes with a variety of features that make it ideal for infants. These include the brand's hugging inlay an innovative ClimaFlow ventilating system and G-CELL technology to ensure your child is protected as they develop.

Our team of testers have reviewed a variety of car seats for group 4 to help you find the best car seat for newborn option for you and your family. We evaluated each model based 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 assessed the safety of each car seat, including whether it was i-Size approved and how well it performed in crash tests. We took into account the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts, like the Swedish Plus test, which examines the performance of a car seat in both high-speed collisions and short braking distances.

We also considered the value of each product since it is a factor that a lot of parents consider important. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, easy to put in and come with useful accessories such as sleeping bags that can be removed, as well as an reversible cover.