Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
The best car seat is a crucial purchase for parents. With a variety of car seats for children and baby car seats to choose from, it's important to be well-informed.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing seats are suitable from the moment of birth. These seats are usually paired with strollers to form travel systems.
Group 0+
If you're a mother of an infant or newborn car seat, it is an essential item to have. These seats are made for babies to protect them from road hazards and head injuries. They do this by keeping them in the recommended position. All-stage car seats are also equipped to safeguard infants, but they do not have the additional safety features of infant car seats.
Typically, a baby car seat is rear-facing, and allows babies to ride in the seat until they're about 15 months old. Many of these seats include a newborn insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and allows them to remain comfortably. Additionally, reputable infant car seats come with a recommended recline to ensure that the head of the child is secure during the ride.
All infant car seats must be approved according to the iSize standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is more sophisticated than R44/04, therefore cars approved to this regulation are more likely to pass higher-quality side-impact crash tests, which is essential for newborns and infants. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies, which offer even more protection for toddlers and infants.
Those who choose to buy an infant car seat must think about how often they'll need to transfer it between cars. If you use taxis and car sharing services often choose a model that has a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This makes it possible for the seat to be installed within just a few seconds. This allows the seat to be quickly changed between different vehicles, making it ideal for parents who frequently 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 excellent protection for babies and infants. It also comes with an ISOFIX base built in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
The Cosatto All in One, as with other infant car seats, is designed to be used from birth and 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 put in with ISOFIX, or a car seatbelt with an over-tether. It's also easy to clean which can help with spills and stains.
It's important to remember that your baby may outgrow the infant car seat quite quickly - many parents are forced to replace the seat by nine months, or earlier. Most manufacturers recommend switching seats when your child's top is within a centimeter of the edge of the seat's top.
To be marketed car seats, they must meet certain European safety standards. This includes testing rigorously during accident simulations, as well as the use of certain types of materials to guard your child from side impact injuries. There are currently two standards in force - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more stringent and takes into account both weight and height 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 facing rearward for a longer period of time. The only downside is that they cannot be used with a front-facing airbag, which may not be suitable for some families. It's important to get in touch with the manufacturer prior purchasing if you're worried. They should be able provide you with the most current information and guidance for your particular situation.
Group 2
A baby car seat is suitable for infants who are big enough to transition from an older Group 0+ car seat but aren't yet able to get out of a Group 1 convertible seat. It's not as common as all-in-ones however it's worth looking into in the event you're looking to purchase a seat to take your baby from birth to about four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's important that the seat you choose to use meets European safety standards. Look for the E mark to ensure that the seat meets ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulations) to ensure that you're buying a seat that will protect your baby well in a crash. Seats with the iSize 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, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top pick with impressive crash test sensor results and one of the simplest installations thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors that change colour when correctly connected. It also features a swivel-base that reduces movement in the vehicle and a hugging inlay for the baby's neck, head, and back to support the proper posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another good option. It also features 360-degree base swivel as well as a unique G Cell system that offers protection in the event of side-impacts. It's more expensive than other seats, but it provides excellent protection and good value for money. Jasper found the seat to be comfortable for long drives, and it also appears more stylish than the other seats we've tried.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth up to booster stage. These seats start off rearward-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and can then be turned around to face forwards - they can be used in this mode until they reach their limit of 36kg.
These seats are typically comfortable and provide good neck and head support. They are often equipped with removable and washable padding for infants, which ensures that they are free of germs. One of the top models we have tested is Nuna PIPA aire Rx includes two inserts, one made of sustainable materials and the second made of GOTS certified organic cotton to ensure your baby feels extra cozy.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has an extremely user-friendly design, which includes the ability to recline with one hand and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It is also easy to install using ISOFIX and has a handy color-changing indicator to indicate to show when it's secure.
We wouldn't recommend changing groups too quickly, as children in the lower limits are more susceptible to injury during crashes. It's best to keep your old seat until they reach their new limit. There are some excellent alternatives to this group which we particularly like. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that can ensure your child's safety until their 12th birthday, so is an excellent choice for long-term use.
Cozy N Safe Arthur is another great option. It will allow your child to go from the infant stage to the booster stage when they are four years old. It's not as costly as the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of options for comfort and safety, including a one handed recline option and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant seat of the group 4 is the latest addition to our collection. It is designed specifically for children who are between the ages of 6 and 6. It can either be used as an infant seat or in the rear-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of it being used without a base, making it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive vacations or trips in hire cars or grandparents' vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are integrated into the seat and snap into place with a satisfying click. It also has a range of features that make it ideal for infants, such as 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 grows.
Our team of testers have reviewed several group 4 car seats in order to find the most suitable one for you and your family members. We evaluated each model for 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 considered the safety of each model by determining whether it was iSize-approved and its performance in crash tests. infant carrier seat considered the safety ratings given by independent safety experts, such as the Swedish Plus test, which evaluates the safety of a car seat's performance both low-speed crashes and short braking distances.
We also considered the value of each model, because this is an important factor for many parents. Our top-rated infant car seat has a low cost, are easy to fit and come with useful accessories like a movable sleeping bag and a reversible cover.