Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The right car seat is a crucial parenting purchase. It's important to know the differences between child car seats and infant car seats.
These rear-facing seats, which are typically R129 or Group 0+ (i-Size) baby car seats for babies are suitable from the moment of birth. They often combine with a pram to form travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your infant or newborn is a necessity. These seats are designed to protect infants from dangers of driving and head injuries by ensuring that they stay in the recommended position. All-stage car seats are equipped to safeguard infants, but they do not have the safety features that are standard in infant car seats.
Infant car seats are usually rear-facing and allow babies to sit in the seat up to 15 months old. A lot of these models include a baby insert that supports smaller babies and allows them to remain at ease. Furthermore, the best infant car seats include recommended recline to ensure that the head of the child is secure during the journey.
All infant car seats have to be approved under the iSize standard, and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The iSize standard is more sophisticated than R44/04. infant car seat rear facing means that cars that are approved by this regulation are likely to have better side impact crash tests. This is important for babies and infants. Additionally, i-Size seats use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies, which offer even more protection for toddlers and infants.
When buying an infant car seat, buyers should be aware of how often they'll need to move it from one vehicle to the next. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services frequently choose a model with a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to be put in place in just a few just a few seconds. This allows the seat to be quickly switched between different cars, making it ideal for parents who frequently require multiple trips.
The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been given an excellent safety rating by ADAC, meaning that it offers extremely good protection for babies and infants. In addition, it has an ISOFIX base built-in, and an EPS energy absorption foam.
Group 1
As with many other infant car seats that are available, the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years of age (or 36kg). It rotates to make it easy to take your baby inside and out. It can be fitted with ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt with an over-tether. It's also easy to clean, which helps with any spills or stains.
It's important to remember that your child can outgrow an infant car seat quite quickly. Many parents discover they need to replace their seats by nine months, or earlier. The majority of manufacturers advise switching seats when your child's height is within one inch of the edge of the seat's top.
To be marketed car seats, they must meet certain European safety standards. This includes rigorous tests in accident simulations and the use of specific types of material to protect 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 rigorous and takes into consideration the height as well as weight when grading car seats.
Our experience has shown that seats that meet the R129 standard, also referred to as iSize, tend to be safer and simpler to install. They also allow your child seated rearwards for a longer period of time. The only drawback with these seats is that they can't be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not be suitable for certain families. It's important to speak with the manufacturer prior to purchasing if you're worried. They should be able provide you with the latest information and advice on your particular situation.
Group 2
A group 2 baby car seat is for babies who are big enough to transition from a Group 0+ seat but haven't yet grown out of a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not as widely used as the all-in-1 models but it's worth keeping in mind if you want an infant car seat that can take your child from birth right until around four years old. old.
It is important that the car seat you pick is compliant with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to confirm that it meets ECE R44/04, also known as i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulations) to be sure you're buying a seat that protects your child from harm in the event of a collision. Seats that are approved by i-Size are also easier to fit and provide better protection from side impacts and will keep your baby facing rear for longer.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, designed for newborns to 15 months old, is a great choice with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change color when properly connected. It also has a handy pivot base that reduces movement in the car and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's neck, head and back to support their posture.
Another great alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that has a 360-degree swivel base and has a unique G-CELL system that ensures safety in side-impacts. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it gives excellent protection and good value. Jasper found it comfortable for long trips and it looks more appealing than other seats we looked at as well.
Group 3
A group 3 infant car seat is a triple-in-one car seat that will serve your child right from birth through to the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear-facing (some until your child weighs at least 9kg) however, they can be changed to be utilized forward-facing until the maximum weight limit of 36kg.
These seats are generally very comfortable, and offer good neck and head support. Many of them come with removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for newborns to keep them germ-free. One of the best 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 that is GOTS-certified, to ensure your baby is super cozy.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has an extremely user-friendly design, including an adjustable recline that is single-handed and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It is also easy to install using ISOFIX and comes with a handy indicator that changes color when it's secured.
We do not recommend changing seats in a hurry, as children in the lower limit are more prone to injury in a crash. It's better to keep your current seat until they reach their new limit. There are still some excellent alternatives in this category. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last your child until their 12th birthday.
Cozy N Safe Arthur is another excellent option. It will take your child from the newborn stage to the booster stage when they are four years old. It's not as expensive the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of comfort and safety options such as a one-handed recline setting and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant car seat is the latest addition to our list of best baby car seats. It is designed for kids who are between the ages of 6 and 6. It can be used either as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the fact that it can be used without any base, making it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays or trips in rental cars or grandparent's vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are built into the seat and snap into place with a satisfying click. It also has a range of features that make it suitable for babies, including the brand's hugging-style inlay, an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side impact technology that helps keep your child safe as he develops.
Our team of testers has reviewed several car seats for children to determine the best option for you and your family. We rated each model based on its ease-of-use, quality of materials and the comfort of your baby. We also looked at the safety of each seat, considering whether it was iSize-approved and how well it performed in crash tests. We also considered the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts, like the Swedish Plus test, which looks at the performance of a car seat in both low-speed crashes and short braking distances.
We also analyzed the worth of each model, as this is an important factor for parents of all ages. Our top-rated infant car seat has the lowest price, are easy to fit and come with useful extras such as a sleeping bag that can be removed and reversible cover.