The Reasons You Shouldn't Think About Improving Your Infant Car Seats Uk

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

The right car seat is an essential parenting purchase. With a wide variety of child car seats and baby car seats to choose 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 moment of birth. They are often combined with a pram to create travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your newborn or infant is a must. These seats are designed to protect infants from dangers of the road including head injuries by ensuring that they remain in the recommended position. Although all-stage car seats can also provide protection for infants however they do not have the advanced safety features offered by infant car seats that swivel car seats.

The typical infant car seat is rear-facing and allows baby to travel in the seat until they're about 15 months old. Many of these models come with infant inserts to help smaller babies and keep them at ease. Good infant car seats offer recline suggestions to protect the child's mind during the ride.

All infant car seats must be approved according to the iSize standard and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04. This means that cars that are approved under this regulation are likely to be more secure in side impact crash tests. This is important for babies and infants. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which gives even greater safety protection for toddlers and infants.

Those who choose to buy an infant car seat must consider how often they'll need to transfer it between cars. For those who regularly use taxis or car sharing services should search for a model that has a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn, that allows the seat to be installed within a matter of minutes. This allows the seat be quickly moved between vehicles. It is perfect for parents who must take frequent trips.

The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been awarded a top safety rating by ADAC which means it provides excellent protection for infants and babies. It also comes with an ISOFIX base integrated and EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

Like many other infant car seats, the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child reaches 12 years old (or 36kg). Like the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so it is easy to put the baby in and out, can fit using ISOFIX or a cars seat belt with the top tether. It is rear-facing. It's also easy to clean, which helps with any spills or staining.

It's important to remember that your child can outgrow a car seat for infants quite quickly - many parents are forced to replace the seat by nine months, or even earlier. Most manufacturers suggest moving on to a different seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.

A car seat must be in compliance with certain European safety standards in order to be sold. This includes rigorous tests in crash simulations and the use of certain types of materials to safeguard your child from side impact injuries. Two standards are in force at present - ECE R44 and R129 also known as i-Size. The latter is more stringent and takes into account the height as well as weight when classifying car seats.

Our experience has proven that seats that meet the R129 standard, also known as i-Size, tend to be safer and simpler to install. They can also keep your child seated 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 certain families. It is essential to get in touch with the manufacturer prior buying if you're concerned. They should be able to provide you with the latest information and guidance on your specific situation.

Group 2

A group 2 car seat is designed for infants that are big enough to be upgraded from a Group 0+, but not yet old enough to be able to use a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not as common as all-in-ones but it's worth a look when you're looking for a seat to take your child from birth up until around four years of age.

It is important that the car seat you pick is compliant with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to see that it is compliant with ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulation) to ensure that you're buying 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 provide greater protection against side impacts and allow your baby to remain rear-facing for longer.

For babies up to around 15 months, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top option with outstanding crash test sensor results and one of the easiest installation methods thanks to its LATCH connectors which change colour when correctly connected. It also comes with a base that swivels to help reduce movement in the car and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's head, neck and back to ensure their posture.

Another option is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that has the 360-degree swivel base, and has a unique G-CELL system that provides protection in side impacts. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it gives superior protection and a great value for money. Jasper found the seat to be comfortable for long trips and it also looks nicer than other seats we tested.

Group 3

A group 3 infant car seat is a triple-in-one car seat that will serve your child from birth right until the booster stage. These seats start off rearward-facing (some until your child weighs at least 9kg) and can then be turned to face forwards - they can be used in this manner until they reach their maximum weight of 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 free of germs. One of the most effective models that we tested, Nuna PIPA aire Rx comes with two inserts – one made of sustainable materials and the other made from GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure that your baby is extra cozy.

This model not only has impressive crash test results but it also has a user-friendly design. It comes with one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It's also very easy to set up with ISOFIX, and has an easy-to-read colour change indicator to let you know when it's secure.

We wouldn't suggest swapping groups too soon, as children who are in the lower limits of each group can be more vulnerable to injury in a crash so it's worth hanging on to your old seat until your child hits their new limit. There are some great alternatives in this group - we especially like the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will keep your child safe until their 12th birthday, which is an excellent choice for long-term use.

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

Group 4

The infant car seat newborn seat is the latest addition to our list of the top infant car seats. It has a slightly higher age range than the previous groups and is designed for children up to six years old. It can be used as an infant seat or in the rear-facing position. This seat was highly praised for its versatility, and for the fact that it can be used without having a base. It's ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives, or trips in grandparent's or rental vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are built into the seat and click into the position with the click of a button that is satisfying. It also has a variety of features that make it ideal for newborns, including the brand's hugging-style inlay, an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side impact technology that helps ensure your child's safety as he develops.

Our team of testers looked at various car seats for group 4 to find the best options for you and your family. We evaluated each model based on its user-friendliness and the quality of its materials, and how comfortable the seat is for your baby to sit in. We also considered the safety of each seat, taking into account whether it was iSize approved and its performance in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings given by independent safety experts. For instance the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car's seat in low-speed impacts and short brake distances.

We also analyzed the worth of each model, since this is a major aspect for parents. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, easy to put in and come with useful features like sleeping bags that can be removed, as well as an reversible cover.