Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK
A quality seat is a long-term investment. Look for the right seat that will take your child to a high-back booster suitable for children in the lower quartile.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a top choice. It offers a satisfying click on its base and was awarded the ADAC's Best Car Seat Rating for 2019. It can be used with the travel set.
I-Size is approved
The most recent infant car seats from iSize are safer than any other. These rear-facing models meet the highest safety standards and are designed to safeguard infants from the most serious accidents. They also have side impact testing, which can lower the chance of neck and head injuries for infants.
These car seats for babies are designed to fit infants and newborns up to 13kg or 12 months old. These car seats can be used by themselves or in conjunction with a buggy for an entire travel system. They are an excellent choice for long trips and offer an easy lie-flat position to ensure that your baby is secure.
i-Size approved baby car seats are available in a wide range of price points. The most expensive models come with additional features like a rotating feature that allows parents to turn their seat to face the child them when they buckle it up. Other features include an integrated booster seat, extra padding, and a washable insert for infants with the sizing information.
Many of the iSize-approved 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 essential for infants, since they are more prone to injury in a crash than older children and adults.
The Joie Calmi is the most popular car seat that is iSize-approved for babies. This modern version of the traditional carrycot fits sideways across the back seat and allows your child to lie flat, which is the best position for breathing and sleeping. The low score for value, however, is due to the fact that it can only be used from birth up to about 18 months old and should be paired with an Joie pushchair as part of the travel system.
Another option is Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that was voted 2021 Mother&Baby Gold winner in our Group 0/0+ car seat category. It comes with five recline positions that allow young infants to lie almost flat, while older children to sit upright. It includes comprehensive instructions for fitting as well as an QR code that allows you to access voiceover videos on the Silver Cross App.
Security in the event of an accident
Car seats are essential for your baby's safety, however not all seats are created equal. Choosing an i-Size approved seat is better for your child because they are more secure in the event of an accident. The I-Size car seat has been tested to a higher level and includes the most advanced Q-series test dummies. They also offer more protection for the neck and head than the basic ECE R44/04 model.
Parents are often tempted to purchase multi-stage car seats designed for infants so they don't have to purchase a new seat until their child reaches the age of the adolescent stage. These seats are designed to expand as your child grows. They can be used as a carrycot completely flat, a toddler seat and then a high-back booster. Many of them can be used in conjunction with a pram to form part of a car seat as well as a pushchair travel system.
The i-Snug 2, with its three-layers security in the side wings is a fantastic choice for infants. It features a padded baby pillow that helps keep your child safe and secure. It also comes with a special iSnug2 infant belt lock that prevents the belt from slipping loose in the event of a crash.
The Joie Calmi is another good choice. It was awarded Gold in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Baby/Toddler Car seat (Stage 1/2). The seat and base combination connects to Isofix mountings making it easy to install. The base is solid and has an indicator that changes color to green when it's solid. The seat is heavier than other options but has excellent side-impact testing and a wide range of height and weigh adjustment settings.
The seat comes with some drawbacks. It doesn't rotate 360 degrees, which makes it difficult to get your child in and out of the vehicle. It's also more expensive than other seats.
The iLevel is a multi-stage car seat that can be set rear-facing to ensure the safety of infants and toddlers. It has five-point harnesses that can be upgraded into forward-facing seats when your child is old enough. It also has a recline seat and a 10-position headrest that has wings that can expand in the side for more protection.
Easy to install
A car seat will be one of the most important purchases a new parent makes. It's important to buy one that is easy to install and will stay safe in your vehicle. It is also recommended to consider a car seat that is compatible with your car's Isofix anchor points that are designed to make it simpler and safer to install child seats. It's also a good idea to choose seats that come with clear instructions, and that has a website with a video that shows how to install the seat.
The maxicosi Cabriofix is an excellent option for frequent travelers, as it comes with ISOFIX connectors that are integrated. It can also be used in taxis as well as rental cars that don't have a base. Its lightweight design and one-handed release makes it a great option for parents who regularly change between cars or drive with other family members. It also scored highly in the Which? Testers found it easy to rotate the seat and recline it.
The adjustable headrest of the maxicosi Cabriofix can be adjusted to suit the height of your child. It comes with five recline positions, so you can choose the most comfortable position for your child. It also includes a bar at bottom of the seat that can extend up to 26cm, which is useful for children who are older.
Remember that you can only allow your infant to spend two hours in a car seat over a 24 hours. This is due to the fact that sitting for long periods in a semi-upright position could restrict airflow and cause pressure on your child's spine. If your baby is beginning to appear uncomfortable, it's time to take them out of the car seat.
If you're looking for a car seat that will expand with your child, look into the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360. It is suitable for newborns, infants and children up to 12 years old. It has a large rearward-facing seat and an integrated side-impact protection pod. This car seat scores high in the ADAC tests, and it can be fitted with either the Isofix base or a seatbelt. It is also compatible with the majority of Maxi-Cosi pram frame models.
Affordability
Parents of newborns should think about purchasing an appropriate car seat for their newborn in the UK. It should be easy to install and comfortable for the baby and safe. It must be affordable. It is crucial to think about the budget before selecting the right car seat. There are a variety of affordable car seats on the market, when some are more costly. The price of a child car seat varies depending on the brand and model. The weight and size of the car seat may also influence the price. A lighter car seat is cheaper than one that is larger.
Sarah who is an MFM reviewer, believes the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat is the most attractive and practical infant car seat available. It has a foam insert that babies can sit on to achieve the optimum sitting position, and it can be removed gradually as they get older. It is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back, and comes in four different colours. It also has high-quality finishing features. The only drawback is that it can be used with only certain Silver Cross pushchairs.
Nuna PIPA Urbn is a different option. It was awarded gold at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for its innovation. It's easy to install and features a baseless, streamlined design. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that snap into the right position with a satisfying click. It's ideal for parents who are busy and don't want to change car seats from one vehicle 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 is an excellent option for parents concerned about environmental and financial costs. It's easy to install and is compatible with most Maxi Cosi pram frames. It has a reclining handle that lets you tilt the car seat to ensure comfort.