What Is The Heck What Exactly Is Infant Car Seats Uk? Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?

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


These rear-facing seats, which are generally Group 0+ or R129 (i-Size) baby car seats for babies are suitable from the time of birth. They are often combined with a pram to create travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your newborn or infant is a necessity. These seats are designed to protect infants from dangers of driving, including head injuries, by ensuring they stay in the correct position. All-stage car seats are capable of protecting babies, but they lack the added safety features of infant car seats.

The typical infant car seat is rear-facing and allows the baby to be in the seat until they're about 15 months old. Many of these models also include a newborn insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and helps them stay comfortably. Furthermore, the best infant car seats come with a recommended recline to ensure that the child's head is protected during the ride.

All infant car seats have to be approved in accordance with the iSize standard and must be in compliance with European safety standards. The iSize standard is far more sophisticated than R44/04. This means that cars approved under this regulation are more likely to have better side impact crash tests. This is essential for newborns and babies. The i-Size seat also uses 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 think about how often they'll need to transfer it between vehicles. Those who frequently use taxis or car sharing services should search for a model that has a unique baseless design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn that allows the seat to be installed in seconds. This allows the seat to be swiftly switched between different cars which makes it ideal for parents who regularly need to make multiple journeys.

The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been awarded an outstanding safety rating by ADAC which means it offers extremely good protection for infants and babies. It also has an ISOFIX base built in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

The Cosatto All in One, as with other infant car seats, is designed to be used from birth and until your child turns 12 years old old (or 36kg). Similar to Group 0+ seats, it can rotate so you can easily put the baby in and out, 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 helpful for spills and staining.

It's important to remember that your baby can outgrow the infant car seat quite quickly. Many parents find they have to replace the seat by nine months, or even 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.

To be marketed the car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This includes rigorous tests of accident simulations as well as the use of certain kinds of materials to protect your child from injuries sustained by side impacts. Two standards are in effect at present - ECE R44 and R129 called i-Size. The latter is more rigorous and takes into consideration the height and weight when determining the weight of car seats.

According to infant car seats uk Push Chairs And Prams , the seats approved to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be safer, easier to fit and can keep your child rearward-facing for longer. The only drawback with these seats is that they are unable to be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not work for some families. However, it's important to check with the manufacturer in case you have any concerns prior to purchasing. They should be able provide you with the latest information and suggestions specific to your situation.

Group 2

A car seat for group 2 is designed for infants who are large enough to upgrade from a Group 0+, but are not yet old enough to be able to use a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not quite as common as all-in-ones, but is worth considering when you're looking for an appropriate car seat for your baby from birth until around four years of age.

It is important that the car seat you select meets European safety standards. You can look for the E-mark to ensure that the seat is compliant with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is being replaced by the previous regulation). This will allow you ensure that the seat is safe for your child from injury in a crash. Seats that have the i-Size certification are more simple to install, offer better protection against side-impacts and can keep your child rear-facing longer.

Designed for newborns up to around 15 months and up to about 15 months, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top choice with impressive crash test sensor results. It is one of the simplest installation methods thanks to its rigid LATCH connectors that change colour when correctly connected. It also comes with a swivel base that helps reduce movement in the car, and a hugging-style inlay for the baby's neck, head and back to help maintain their proper posture.

The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another good option. It also comes with a 360-degree base swivel and a unique G Cell system that offers protection during collisions with the sides. It's more expensive than the other seats, but it provides a good value and great 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 seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth until the booster stage. These seats start off rearward-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and then can be turned to face forwards. They can be used in this mode until they reach the limit of 36kg.

These seats are usually very comfortable and offer good neck and head support. Many of them also come with washable and removable padding for newborns, ensuring that they are hygienic. One of the top models we've tested, the Nuna PIPA aire Rx comes with two inserts, one made of sustainably-sourced materials, and the other made from organic cotton that is GOTS-certified, to ensure your baby is extra snuggly.

This model is not just equipped with impressive crash test results, but it also has a user-friendly design. It has a single-handed reclining setting and 12 different headrest positions. It's also simple to install with ISOFIX and comes with a handy colour change indicator to show you've got it secure.

We do not recommend changing seats too quickly, as children in the lower limits can be more susceptible to injury in a crash. It's best to keep your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are a few excellent alternatives for this group. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last until the age of 12.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another excellent option. It can help your child transition from the infant stage to the booster stage at four years old. It's not as costly as 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 infant car seat is the most recent addition to our list of the best baby car seats. It has a slightly higher age range than the previous ones and is targeted at children who are between 6 and 6 years old. older. It can either be used as a booster seat or in a rear-facing position. The seat was highly rated 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 the click of a button that is satisfying. It also comes with a variety of features that make it ideal for babies, including the brand's hugging-style inlay an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side-impact technology to ensure your child's safety as he grows.

Our team of testers looked at a number of different car seats in the group 4 category to determine the best option for you and your family. We rated each model 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 seat, focusing on whether it was iSize-approved and how it performed in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings of independent safety experts. For instance the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat during low-speed impacts and short brake distances.

We also looked at the value of each model, because this is a crucial factor for parents of all ages. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, easy to install and come with useful features such as sleeping bags that can be removed and an reversible cover.