10 Wrong Answers To Common Infant Car Seats Uk Questions Do You Know The Right Ones?
Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
Choosing the right car seat for your baby is an essential purchase for parents. With a myriad of car seats for children and baby car seats to select from, it's important to be well-informed.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from the moment of birth. They are often combined with a pram in travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your newborn baby or infant is a necessity. These seats are designed for infants to guard them from road hazards such as head injuries. They do this by keeping them in the recommended position. While all-stage car seat also offer protection for babies however they do not have the advanced safety features that come with infant car seats.
Infant car seats are usually rear-facing and allow the baby to use the seat until the age of 15 months. Many of these models come with a newborn insert to support small babies and keep them at ease. Furthermore, reputable infant car seats come with a recommended recline to ensure that the child's head is protected throughout the journey.
All infant car seats have to be approved under the iSize standard and must meet European safety standards. The I-Size standard is far more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars that have been approved to this standard tend to have better side-impact crash tests, which are crucial for newborns and infants. The i-Size seat also uses the more sophisticated Q-series crash-test dummies, which provide more security for infants.
If you decide to purchase an infant car seat must think about how often they'll need to move it between vehicles. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services often you should look for a seat with a unique design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to easily be installed within seconds. This allows the seat be quickly moved between cars. 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 that it provides excellent protection for infants and babies. It also has an ISOFIX base that is built-in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.
Group 1
As with many other infant car seats, the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years old (or 36 kg). It can rotate to make it easier to put your baby in and out. It can be fitted using ISOFIX or a car seatbelt with top tether. It is also easy to clean, which is helpful for any spills or staining.
It's worth remembering that your child can outgrow a car seat for infants very quickly. Many parents are forced to replace the seat by nine months, or earlier. The majority of manufacturers recommend changing seats when your child's head is within one inch of the edge of the seat's top.
In lightweight baby car seat to be sold the car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This involves rigorous testing in accident simulations, and the use specific types of materials to guard your child from side impact injuries. There are two standards in force - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more stringent and considers both height and weight when classifying car seats for children.
Our experience has shown us that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also known as iSize, tend to be safer and easier to install. They can also keep your child facing backwards 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 may not suit certain families. It's important to get in touch with the manufacturer prior purchasing if you are concerned. They should be able provide you with the most current information and advice specific to your situation.
Group 2
A group 2 car seat is designed for infants who are large enough to upgrade from a Group 0+, but not yet old enough for a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not as popular as all-in-ones, but is worth considering in the event you're looking to purchase a seat to take your child from birth up to about four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's crucial that the seat you choose to use is in compliance with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to see that it meets ECE R44/04 or iSize (which will eventually replace the previous regulation) to ensure you're getting the right seat that will safeguard your child from harm in the event of a collision. Seats that have the i-Size certification are easier to install, and provide better protection against side impacts and will keep your child rear-facing longer.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, designed for newborns to 15 months old, is a top choice with impressive crash test results. Its LATCH connectors are rigid and change colour when properly connected. It also has a convenient pivot base that reduces movement in the car, and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's neck, head and back to ensure their posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is an alternative. It also has 360-degree base swivel as well as a unique G Cell system that provides protection against side impacts. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it gives superior protection and a great value. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long trips and it looks more appealing than other seats we tried as well.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth to booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some to at minimum 9kg) however, they can be turned around and used forward-facing up to the maximum weight limit of 36kg.
They are generally comfortable and offer good head and neck support. Many of them come with removable and machine-washable padding for newborns to keep them germ-free. One of the top models we've tested was the Nuna PIPA aire Rx has two inserts - one made from sustainably sourced materials, and the second made of organic cotton that is GOTS-certified, to keep your baby feeling more snug.
This model not only has impressive crash test results, but it also has a user-friendly design. It includes one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It's also easy to install with ISOFIX and has an excellent indicator that changes colour to show you've got it secured.
We wouldn't recommend swapping groups too early as children in the lower limits of each group may be more vulnerable to injury in a crash so it's a good idea to hold on to the seat you've always had until your child reaches their new limit. There are plenty of great alternatives in this category. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will last your child until the age of 12.
Cozy N Safe Arthur is another option worth considering. It will take your child from the infant stage to the booster stage at 4 years old. It's not as costly as the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of safety and comfort options such as a one-handed recline option and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The group 4 infant seat is the most recent addition to our list of. It is slightly more age range than the previous ones and is designed for children ranging from 6 to 6 years old. of age. It can be used either as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of being used without having a base, which makes it perfect for taxi rides, fly-drive holidays or trips in hire cars or grandparent's vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are built into the seat and can be inserted into place with the click of a button that is satisfying. It has a number of features that make this car seat ideal for infants. These include the brand's hugging inlay a revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilating system, and G-CELL technology to ensure your child is protected as they develop.
Our team of testers looked at several different group 4 car seats to determine the most suitable options for you and your family. We assessed each model for its ease of use as well as 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 a car seat’s performance during crashes with low speeds as well as short brake distances.
We also looked at the worth of each product since it is something that many parents consider essential. Our top-rated car seats for infants are at a low cost, easy to install and include useful extras such as sleeping bags which can be removed as well as an reversible cover.