Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK
A high-quality seat is an investment that can last a lifetime. Choose the right seat that will take your child to a high-back booster that is suitable for children in the lower part of the centile.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a top choice. It clicks into its base with a satisfying click and received ADAC's best car seat for 2019. It can be used with the travel set.
i-Size approved
If you're in the market for an all-new car seat or upgrading the one you already have, the newest I-Size infant seats are more secure than ever. These rear-facing models comply with the strictest safety standards and are designed to protect babies from the most serious accidents. They also have side impact testing, which can reduce the chance of neck and head injuries for infants.
The baby car seats can be used by newborns or infants up until 12 months or 13kg. They can be used by themselves or with a buggy to form an infant car seat and pram travel system. They are perfect for long journeys and offer a comfortable position that will ensure your baby's safety.
There are a range of i-Size baby car seats available at various price points. The most expensive models come with additional features, for example, a rotating function that allows parents to turn the seat so that their child is facing them while they buckle them in. Other features include the built-in booster seat, extra padding and a washable infant insert with sizing information.
Many of the i-Size approved baby car seats have ISOFIX which affixes the seat directly to the vehicle chassis. This increases stability and increases the likelihood that the seat will be placed correctly. This is especially important for infants as they are more susceptible to injury during a crash compared to older children or adults.
The Joie Calmi is the most popular baby car seat that has been approved by iSize. This modern-day version of the traditional carrycot is positioned across the back seat sideways and allows your baby to lie down flat which is ideal for breathing and sleeping. The reason for its low value is that it can be use from birth until around 18 months old, and has to be used in conjunction with the Joie travel system.
Another good option is the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which was named the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold winner in our Car seat for Group 0/0+ category. It has five reclining positions, allowing young infants to lie nearly flat and older children to sit more upright. It includes comprehensive instructions for fitting and an QR code that allows you to access voiceover video demonstrations on the Silver Cross App.
Safety in the event an accident
Not all car seats are created equally. Choosing a seat that is i-Size approved will safeguard your child more effectively in the event of a collision. The i-Size car seat has been tested to a higher level, including using advanced Q-series test dummies. They also provide better protection for the neck and head than the standard ECE R44/04 model.
Parents are often tempted to purchase multi-stage car seats for infants so they don't have to purchase a new seat until their child reaches the age of adolescence. These seats are designed to expand with your child, from an entirely flat carrycot to a toddler's chair, and finally the high-back booster seat. A lot of seats can be used with a pram to form part of a car seat and pushchair travel system.
The i-Snug 2 is an excellent option for newborns, as it features three layers of security on the side wings. This includes an innovative cushioned infant pillow that ensures your baby is safe and secure. It also comes with a special iSnug2 infant belt that prevents the belt from coming loose in the event of a crash.
Another great option is the Joie Calmi one, which was awarded Gold for the Best Baby/Toddler Seat (Stage 1 / 2) in 2024 Mother&Baby awards. The base and seat combo clicks onto Isofix mountings, making it easy to install. The base is solid and comes with an indicator that turns green when it's secure. The seat is a little heavier than other models but it's got excellent side-impact tests and a good range of weight and height settings.
This seat has several drawbacks. It isn't able to rotate 360 degrees, which makes it difficult to get your child into and out of the vehicle. It is also more expensive than some other alternatives.
The iLevel is a multi-stage vehicle seat that can be set rear-facing to protect infants and toddlers. It has five-point harnesses that can be upgraded to forward-facing when your baby is big enough. It also has a recline seat and a 10-position headrest with expanding side wings for added security.
Easy to install
A car seat is one of the biggest purchases a new mother makes. It is crucial to choose a car seat that is easy-to-install and remains secure in the car. It is also recommended to look for a seat that can fit in your car's Isofix anchor points that are designed to make it easier and safer to attach child seats. Additionally, it's an excellent idea to search for a car seat that has clear instructions and a website that offers a video showing how to install the seat.
The maxicosi Cabriofix is a excellent choice for those who frequently travel because it comes with ISOFIX connectors and can be used without the need for a base in taxis and hire cars. Its lightweight design and one-handed release makes it an ideal option for parents who regularly change between cars or drive with family members. It also scored highly in the Which? tests for user-friendliness and comfort, with test participants finding it easy to rotate and recline the seat.
The headrest that is adjustable on the maxicosi Cabriofix may be adjusted to suit the height of your child. It also has five recline positions that allow you to find the best position to ensure your child's comfort. It has an extension bar that can reach up to 26cm at base of the seat, which is ideal for older children.
Keep in pushchairsandprams.uk that your child should only spend two hours per day in a car. This is due to the fact that sitting for long periods in a semi-upright posture can limit airflow and place stress on your child's spine. If your baby is looking uncomfortable, it might be time to get them removed from the car seat.
Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a great option for parents who want an automobile seat that grows with their child. It is suitable for infants, newborns and children who are up to 12 years old. It comes with a huge rear-facing seat as well as an impact protection pod for the side. The car seat scored high in the ADAC tests, and is compatible with the Isofix base or seatbelt. It's also compatible with the majority of Maxi-Cosi pram frames.
Affordability
A car seat that is suitable for babies in the UK is a must-have for parents who are expecting a child. It should be safe easy to set up and suitable for the baby. It must also be affordable. It is important to consider the budget before choosing a car seat. There are many affordable car seats available on the market, although some are more expensive. The price of car seats for children can vary based on the model and the manufacturer. The weight and size of the car seat may also influence the price. A car seat that is light is more affordable than a bigger one.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is the best-looking and most practical baby car seat on the market, says MFM reviewer Sarah. It comes with a foam insert that babies sit on to get the best seating position and can be removed slowly as they get older. Its design is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back and comes in four colours with top-quality finishing features. The only drawback is that it is able to be used only with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.
Nuna PIPA Urbn is another option. It was awarded gold at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for its innovation. It is a design that is completely free of base and is easily installed in taxis, hire vehicles or trips to the grandparents' car. It comes with ISOFIX connectors that snap into the right position with a satisfying click. It's an excellent choice for parents who are busy and wish to avoid the stress of switching car seats between vehicles.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade, a newborn car-seat that can also function as a carrycot, is an excellent option for parents looking for an infant car seat. This is the first newborn iSize car seat that complies with R129 safety standards. It's a great choice for parents who care about the environment and the financial cost. It is easy to install and is attached to most Maxi-Cosi pram frames. It also comes with an adjustable handle that allows the car seat to be tilted to provide ease of use.