Infant Car Seats Uk: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Infant Car Seats – Which One is Right For Your Baby? The right car seat for your baby is a crucial purchase for parents. It is important to understand 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 the time of birth. These seats are often paired with a stroller to form travel systems. Group 0+ A car seat for your newborn baby or infant is a necessity. These seats are designed to safeguard children from the dangers of the road including head injuries by ensuring they stay in the recommended position. While all-stage car seat also provide protection for infants but they lack the added safety features offered by infant car seats. The typical infant car seat is rear-facing, and allows baby to travel in the car seat until they're around 15 months old. A lot of these models include a newborn insert that is designed to accommodate babies who are smaller and allows them to remain comfortably. Good infant car seats offer recline suggestions to protect the child's brain during the ride. All infant car seats must be approved according to the iSize standard, and must meet European safety standards. The I-Size standard is far more advanced than R44/04, so cars approved to this regulation are more likely to pass more effective side-impact tests, which is crucial for infants and newborns. The iSize seats also utilize the more advanced Q-series crash test dummies to provide even greater protection for infants. When purchasing a new car seat, buyers should be aware of how often they'll require it to be moved from one vehicle to another. People who frequently use taxis or car sharing services should search for a seat with distinctive baseless design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn, that allows the seat to be set up in a matter of seconds. This allows the seat to be easily changed between different vehicles which makes it ideal for parents who require multiple trips. The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been given an excellent safety rating by ADAC which means that it provides excellent protection for babies and infants. Additionally, it comes with a built-in ISOFIX base and an EPS energy absorption foam. Group 1 The Cosatto All in One, as with other infant car seats designed for babies, can be used from birth until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). It is able to rotate in order to put your baby in and out. It can be fitted with ISOFIX or a car seatbelt fitted with an over-tether. It is also easy to clean, which is great in case of spills or staining. Keep in mind that your child may outgrow a car seat very quickly. Many parents must replace their seats within nine months or even sooner. Most manufacturers suggest moving on to a new seat as soon as your child's head is within one inch of the top of the car seat. A car seat has to comply with certain European safety standards to be sold. This includes testing rigorously in accident simulations, and the use specific types of materials to guard your child from side-impact injuries. Two standards are in force at present – ECE R44 and R129, known as i-Size. It is more stringent and takes into consideration the height as well as weight when determining the weight of car seats. Our experience has shown that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also referred to as i-Size, tend to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child facing backwards for a longer period of time. The only downside is that they cannot be used with a front passenger airbag which might not be suitable for certain families. It is essential to get in touch with the manufacturer prior buying if you're concerned. They should be able provide you with the latest information and guidance for your specific situation. Group 2 A group 2 baby car seat is designed for infants who are big enough to be able to move up from an older Group 0+ car seat but haven't yet grown out of a Group 1 convertible seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-one seats, but is worth considering if you're looking for an infant car seat that can take your baby from birth until around four years of age. As with all car seats, it's crucial that the seat you choose to use is compliant with European safety standards. You can check for the E-mark to ensure that the seat is in compliance with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is set to replace the old regulation). This will allow you determine if the seat is safe for your child in the event of a crash. Seats with the i-Size certification are simpler to install, offer better protection against side-impacts and will keep your child rear-facing longer. The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for infants up to 15 months old, is an excellent choice with impressive crash test results. Its rigid LATCH connectors change colour when properly connected. It also has a handy pivot base that reduces the movement of your car and an inlay designed to hug the baby's head, neck and back to help maintain their correct posture. Another great alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, that also has the 360-degree swivel base, and has a unique GELL system that ensures the seat's protection in case of side impacts. It's a little more expensive than some of the other seats, but it provides a good value and great protection. Jasper found it comfortable on long journeys and it looks more appealing than other seats we tested as well. Group 3 A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth until the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear-facing (some up until your child weighs at minimum 9kg) However, they can be turned around and used forward-facing until the weight limit of 36kg. These seats are generally very comfortable and offer excellent neck and head support. Many come with removable and machine washable padding for newborns to keep them germ-free. One of the most effective models we have tested is Nuna PIPA Air Rx comes with two inserts – one made from sustainable materials and the other from GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure that your baby feels extra cozy. The model has impressive crash test results, but also a very user-friendly design. It has one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It's also easy to install with ISOFIX and has a handy color change indicator when it's secure. We wouldn't recommend changing groups in a hurry, as children in the lower limits are more prone to injury in crashes. It is better to stay in your current seat until your child reaches their new limit. However, there are some great alternatives in this category which we particularly like. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, which will ensure your child's safety until the age of 12, so is an excellent choice for long-term usage. Another option is Cozy N Safe Arthur, that will take your child from their newborn stage to their four-year-old booster stage. It's not as costly as the highly-rated Silver Cross, and features a good range of safety and comfort features, including a one-handed recline setting and at least 13 headrest positions. best car seat of the group 4 is the latest addition to our list. It has a slightly higher age range than previous groups and is designed for children who are between 6 and 6 years old. older. It can be used either as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. We highly rated this seat for its versatility and the possibility of it being used without having a base, which makes it perfect for taxi rides, fly-drive trips or trips in rental cars or grandparents' vehicles. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that click into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying clunk. It also comes with a variety of features that make it perfect for babies, including 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 at a number of different group 4 car seats to determine the most suitable options for you and your family. We rated each one by its ease of use as well as the quality of materials used and comfort for your baby. We also assessed the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize-approved and its performance in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings of independent safety experts. For instance the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car's seat in high-speed collisions as well as short brake distances. We also considered the value of each model, because this is a major factor for parents of all ages. Our top-rated infant car seats come at a the lowest price they are easy to put in and come with useful accessories like a removable sleeping bag and a reversible covers.