Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK
A good seat is a long-term investment. Find seats that can transport your child to a high-back booster designed for children in the lower centile.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 makes a great choice. It has a satisfying click into its base and was awarded the ADAC's Best Car Seat Rating for 2019. It also works with a travel system.
i-Size approved
Whether you are looking for a new car seat or are looking to upgrade one you already have, the most recent i-Size infant seats are safer than ever. These rear-facing seats are designed to protect your child from the most serious accidents. They also feature side impact testing, which can reduce the risk of neck and head injuries for infants.
These baby car seats can be used for infants and newborns until 13kg or 12 months old. These car seats can be used alone or together with a buggy for an entire travel system. They are perfect for long trips and offer a comfortable position that will ensure your baby's comfort.
i-Size approved baby car seats are available in a wide range of price points. The most expensive models come with extra features such as a rotating feature that allows parents to turn their seat so that the child faces them when they buckle it in. Other features include a booster seat that is integrated, extra padding, and an insert that is washable for infants with sizing information.
A majority of the i-Size certified baby car seats have ISOFIX which affixes the seat directly to the car chassis. This improves stability and increases the chance that the seat is correctly fitted. This is especially crucial for infants since they are more susceptible to injury in a crash compared to older children or adults.
The best i-Size approved baby car seat is the Joie Calmi. This modern version of the traditional carrycot fits across the back seat in a sideways position and lets your child lie down flat, which is best for breathing and sleeping. The low score for value is due to the fact that it is only able to be used from birth to around 18 months and should be paired with an Joie pushchair as part a travel system.
Another option is Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which was named the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold winner in our Group 0/0+ car seat category. It features five recline positions, which allows babies to lie almost flat, while older children can sit more upright. It also comes with comprehensive fitting instructions, which include a QR code to access video demonstrations with voiceover on the Silver Cross app.
Safer in the event of an accident
Car seats are vital to your baby's safety but not all car seats are equally. A seat that is i-Size certified is better for your child as they will be protected more in the event of a crash. The i-Size car seats have been tested to a higher level including the use of advanced Q-series test dummies. They also offer more head and neck protection than basic ECE R44/04 models.
Parents are often tempted to invest in multi-stage car seats for infants so they don't have to purchase a new seat until their child is at the age of adolescence. These seats are designed to expand with your child, starting from a fully flat carrycot, to a toddler's chair and then a high-back booster seat. Many of them can be used in conjunction with a pram as part of a car seat or pushchair travel system.
The i-Snug 2, which has its three-layers security in the side wings is a fantastic choice for infants. It features a padded baby pillow which keeps your baby safe and secure. It also comes with a unique i-Snug 2 infant belt lock which stops the belt from getting loose during a crash.
The Joie Calmi is a good choice. It was given Gold in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1/2). It's a base and seat base combination that snaps onto Isofix mounts. This makes it easy to install. The base is sturdy and comes with an indicator that changes color when it's secured. The seat is a bit heavier than some other options but it's got excellent side-impact tests and a good range of weight and height settings.
One of the disadvantages of this seat is that it doesn't come with an swivel 360 degrees, which can make it hard to get your child in and out of the car. It is also more expensive than some other alternatives.
The ILevel is a multi-stage car seat that can be set rear-facing to ensure the safety of infants and toddlers. It has a five-point harness and can be changed to forward-facing when your baby is large enough. It also has a recline seat and a 10-position headrest that has expanding side wings for added security.
Easy to install
A car seat is one of the most important purchases a new parent will make. It is crucial to choose a car seat that is easy to install and that will remain secure in the vehicle. Look for a car-seat that can be fitted into your vehicle's Isofix points. These anchor points are designed to make the attachment of child seats easier and safer. It's also a good idea that you look for an item that has clear instructions, and that has a website with a video that demonstrates how to install the seat.
The maxicosi Cabriofix is a great option for those who travel frequently, as it has integrated ISOFIX connectors and can be used as the need for a base in taxis and hire cars. Its light-weight design makes it an ideal option for parents who frequently change between cars and drive with their children. It also scored well in the Which? tests of ease of use and comfort, with test participants finding it easy to recline and rotate the seat.
The headrest, which is adjustable, of the maxicosi Cabriofix is adjusted to fit the height of your child. It comes with five recline positions, so you can choose the most comfortable position for your child. It also features a bar at the foot of the seat that extends by up to 26cm, which is ideal for children who are older.
Be aware that your child can only spend two hours per day in a car. This is because prolonged upright sitting can limit airflow and strain your child’s spine. If your child appears uncomfortable, it may be time to remove them from the car seat.
If you're seeking a car seat that will develop with your child, consider the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360. It is suitable for newborns and infants up to 12 years old. It comes with a large rear-facing car seat that has five-point harness as well as a side-impact protection pod. The car seat scored high in the ADAC test and can be fitted either with the Isofix or seatbelt base. It's also compatible with the majority of Maxi-Cosi pram frames.
Affordability
Parents of newborns should think about purchasing an appropriate car seat for their infant in the United Kingdom. best car seat should be simple to install and comfortable for the baby and secure. It must also be affordable. It is essential to consider the budget before choosing a car seat. While certain car seats are more expensive than others, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available on the market. The price of a child's car seat can vary depending on the type and the manufacturer. There are also some features that affect the price, including the car seat's weight and dimensions. A car seat that is light will be more affordable than a bigger one.
Sarah who is an MFM reviewer, believes that the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat is the most appealing and practical infant car seat available. It features an insert of foam that babies can sit on to achieve the optimum seat position. It can also be removed gradually as they grow older. It is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back and is available in four different colours. It also has high-quality finishing features. It is only compatible with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.
Another option is the Nuna PIPA urbn that was awarded gold for its innovation at the Mother&Baby awards 2024. It is easy to install and has an uncluttered, minimalist design. It has integrated ISOFIX connectors that click into the right position with a satisfying click. It's perfect for parents who are busy and don't want to change car seats from one to another.
Lastly, the Maxi-Cosi Jade is an excellent option for parents who are looking for a newborn car seat that can double as a carrycot. It was the first baby i-Size car seat to comply with R129 safety standards, and it's a great option for parents who are concerned about environmental and financial costs. It is easy-to-install and can be attached on the majority of Maxi Cosi pram frames. It also comes with an adjustable handle that allows the car seat to be swiveled for comfort.