Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?

The right car seat for your newborn is a crucial purchase for parents. It's important to know the difference between child car seats and infant car seats.

Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from birth. They often combine with a pram to form travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat newborn insert seat for your newborn or infant is a necessity. These seats are made for infants to guard them from road hazards, including head injuries. They accomplish this by keeping them in the correct position. While all-stage car seats also provide protection for infants however they do not have the advanced safety features that come with infant car seats.

Car seats for infants are generally rear-facing, and allow the baby to use the seat to 15 months old. Many of these models also come with a newborn insert that is designed to accommodate babies who are smaller and ensures they are at ease. The most reliable infant car seats have recline guidelines to protect the child's mind during the ride.

All infant car seats must be approved under the iSize standard, and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is far more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars that are approved to this standard are more likely to pass better side-impact crash tests, which is essential for newborns and infants. The i-Size seat also uses the more sophisticated Q-series crash-test dummies to provide even greater protection for infants.

When buying an infant car seat, buyers should consider how frequently they will have to transfer it from one vehicle to the next. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services often you should look for a seat that has a unique design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to easily be put in place in just a few minutes. This allows the seat to be swiftly changed between different vehicles, making it ideal for parents who frequently require multiple trips.

ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an outstanding safety rating, which means that it provides excellent protection for infants. In addition, it has 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 turns 12 years old old (or 36kg). Like the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so you can easily put the baby in and out, can be positioned using ISOFIX or a car seatbelt with the top tether, and it's rear-facing. It is also easy to clean, which is great in case of spills or stains.

It's worth remembering that your baby can outgrow a car seat for infants very quickly. Many parents discover they need to replace the seat by nine months, or even earlier. The majority of manufacturers advise switching seats when your child's head is within a single inch of the edge of the seat's top.

A car seat must be in compliance with specific European safety standards in order to be sold. This includes testing rigorously in accident simulations, and the use of specific materials to safeguard your child from side-impact injuries. Two standards are in effect at the moment in force - ECE R44 and R129 called i-Size, which is more strict and takes into account height as well as weight when grading car seats.

Based on our experience, seats approved to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be safer, easier to install and keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time. The only downside to these seats is that they can't be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not work for certain families. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer in case you have any concerns before buying. They should be able provide you with the most up-to-date information and suggestions specific to your situation.

Group 2

A group 2 car seat is designed for infants that are large enough to be upgraded from a group 0+, but are not yet old enough for a Group 1 convertible car seat. It's not as popular as the all-in-1 models however it's something to keep in mind if you're looking for the best car seat for your child from birth up to around four years of age.

Like all car seats, it's important that your chosen seat is in compliance with European safety standards. Look for the E mark to confirm that the seat meets ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulation) to ensure you're purchasing a seat that will protect your child well in the event of a crash. Seats with the i-Size certification are simpler to install, offer better protection against side impacts and can keep your child facing rear for longer.

The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for babies up to 15 months old, is an excellent choice with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change color when properly connected. It also has a handy pivot base that reduces the movement of your 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 another option. It also comes with an swivel base that is 360 degrees and an exclusive G Cell system that provides protection during side-impacts. It's more expensive than the other seats, but offers good value and excellent protection. Jasper found the seat comfortable for long drives, and it also appears more stylish than the other seats we've tested.

Group 3

A group 3 infant car seat is a three-in-one car seat that will serve your child from birth up to the booster stage. These seats start off rearward-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and can then be turned around to face forwards - they can be used in this manner until they reach the limit of 36kg.

These seats are typically very comfortable and offer good neck and head support. Many come with removable and machine washable padding for newborns to help keep them clean. One of the best car seat infant models we have tested is Nuna PIPA aire Rx includes two inserts, one made of eco-friendly materials and the other made of GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure that your baby feels extra cozy.

This model not only has impressive crash test results, but it also has a user-friendly design. It has one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It is also easy to install with ISOFIX and comes with a handy color change indicator when it's secure.

We wouldn't suggest swapping groups too early as children at the lower limits of each group can be more susceptible to injury in a crash so it's worth hanging in your old seat until your child hits their new limit. There are plenty of great options in this group. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last your child until their 12th birthday.

Another option is the Cozy N Safe Arthur, which can take your baby from the time they were born to their four-year-old booster phase. It's not as expensive the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of options for comfort and safety such as a one-handed recline setting as well as 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The group 4 infant car seats best car seat is the most recent addition to our list of the most effective baby car seats. It has a slightly larger age range than the previous ones and is designed for children who are between 6 and 6 years old. older. It can be used as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. We highly rated this seat for its versatility and the fact that it can be used without any base, making it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive vacations or trips in hire cars or grandparents' vehicles. The ISOFIX connectors are integrated into the seat and snap into the position with a satisfying click. It also comes with a variety of features that make it suitable for infants, such as the brand's hugging-style inlay, an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system, and G-CELL side impact technology that helps maintain protection as your child develops.

Our team of testers looked over a number of different group 4 car seats to determine the best car seats newborn option for you and your family. We evaluated each model based for its ease of use, the quality of the materials used and how comfortable the seat is for your child to sit in. We also assessed the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize approved and its performance in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings offered by independent safety experts, including the Swedish Plus test, which evaluates the safety of a car seat's performance both high-speed collisions and short braking distances.

We also looked at the value of each item because it is an aspect that parents often consider to be important. Our top-rated infant car seat has a low cost they are easy to put in and come with useful extras like a movable sleeping bag and reversible cover.