Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
infant car seat travel is an essential parenting purchase. It's crucial to know the difference between car seats for children and infant car seats.
Usually, Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing seats are suitable from the time of birth. These seats are often paired with strollers to create travel systems.
Group 0+
A car seat for your newborn baby or infant is a must. These seats are made for infants to guard them from road hazards such as head injuries. They accomplish this by keeping them in the recommended position. While all-stage car seats also provide protection for infants, they lack the enhanced safety features offered by infant car seats.
Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing, and allow the child to sit in the seat up to 15 months old. A lot of these models come with an insert for newborns to help smaller babies and keep them at ease. Furthermore, the best infant car seats include recommended recline to ensure that the head of the child is secure throughout the journey.
All infant car seats should be certified to the i-Size standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04. This means that cars regulated under this regulation are more likely to have better side impact tests. This is essential for infants and newborns. The i-Size seats also use the more advanced Q-series crash test dummies to offer even more protection for infants.
If you decide to purchase an infant car seat should be aware of how often they'll have to transfer it between cars. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services frequently you should look for a seat with a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to easily be installed in a matter of just a few seconds. This allows the seat be easily swapped between cars. It is perfect for parents who have to take frequent trips.
ADAC has awarded the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, meaning that it offers excellent protection for infants. Additionally, it comes with a built-in ISOFIX base and an EPS energy absorbing foam.
Group 1
The Cosatto All in One, like other infant car seats, is designed to be used from birth and until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). Like the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so that it's easy to get the baby in and out, can fit using ISOFIX or a cars seatbelt with the top tether, and it's rear-facing. It's also easy to clean which aids in cleaning any spills or staining.
Keep in mind that your child may outgrow their car seat quickly. Many parents have to replace their seats within nine months or earlier. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.
To be marketed the car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This includes testing rigorously in simulations of accidents, and the use specific types of materials to guard your child against side impact injuries. There are two standards currently in force currently - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size), which is more stringent and takes into consideration both height and weight when determining the appropriateness of car seats for children.
Our experience has proven that seats that are approved to the R129 standard, also known as iSize, tend to be safer and simpler to install. They also allow your child seated rearwards for a longer period of time. The only drawback with these seats is that they cannot be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not be suitable for certain families. However, it's important to speak with the manufacturer if you have any concerns before buying. They should be able give you the most current information and advice on your specific situation.
Group 2
A car seat for group 2 is designed for infants who are large enough to be upgraded from a group 0+, but are not yet old enough for a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one car seats but it's worth a look in the event you're looking to purchase an appropriate car seat for your baby from birth until around four years of age.
It is important that the car seat you pick is compliant with European safety standards. You can check for the E-mark to confirm that the seat is compliant with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is set to replace the old regulation). This will allow you to make sure that the seat will be safe for your child in a crash. Seats with i-Size approval are also easier to fit and provide better protection from side impacts and allow your baby to remain rear-facing for a longer period of time.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, designed for newborns to 15 months old, is a great choice with impressive crash test results. Its rigid LATCH connectors change color when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base which reduces the movement of the vehicle and an inlay to hug the baby’s head, neck and back to ensure the proper posture.
Another great option is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has an swivel base that can rotate 360 degrees and a unique G-CELL system that ensures safety in side-impacts. It's a little more expensive than some of the other seats, but offers good value and excellent protection. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long trips and it looks better than the other seats we tested, too.
Group 3
A group 3 infant car seat is a three-in-one seat that can be used by your child from birth right until the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rearward facing (some to at minimum 9kg) However, they can be turned around and used forward-facing until the weight limit of 36kg.
These seats are typically comfortable and provide good neck and head support. A lot of them come with removable and washable padding for newborns, ensuring that they are hygienic. One of the most effective models we tested, the Nuna PIPA Air Rx, even has two inserts - one made from sustainably-sourced materials, and the other made from organic cotton that is GOTS-certified to ensure your baby is extra snuggly.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model also has an easy-to-use design, with a single-handed recline setting and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It's also simple to install with ISOFIX, and has a handy colour change indicator to let you know when it's secured.
We don't recommend changing groups fast, since children who are in the lower limits can be more susceptible to injury in an accident. It's best to keep your current seat until they reach their new limit. There are a few excellent options in this group. 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 great option. It can take your child from the infant stage until the booster stage at four years old. It's not as costly as the top-rated Silver Cross, and features a wide range of safety and comfort features, such as a one-handed recline setting and at least 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant seat of the group 4 is the newest addition to our collection. It is designed for children from ages 0 to 6. It can either be used as an infant seat or in a rear-facing position. This seat was highly praised for its versatility, and also because it can be used without the need for a base. It is ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in grandparent's or rental vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are built into the seat and click into the position with an enthralling click. It also has a variety of features that make it ideal for newborns, including the brand's hugging-style inlay an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side impact technology to keep your child safe as he grows.
Our team of testers looked at several different car seats in the group 4 category to find the best options for you and your family. We rated each model in terms of its user-friendliness and the quality of the materials used as well as comfort for your baby. We also looked at the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize approved and its performance in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings given by independent safety experts. For example, the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat during low-speed impacts as well as short brake distances.
We also examined the worth of each product because it is a factor that many parents consider crucial. Our top-rated infant car seats have an affordable price and are easy to install and come with useful extras such as a sleeping bag that can be removed and a reversible cover.