Choosing the best car seat for newborn (
describes it) UK
A quality seat is an investment that will last for a long time. Choose the right seat that will take your child to a high-back booster suitable for children who are in the lower centile.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a great choice. It clicks into its base with a satisfying clunk and was awarded the ADAC's top car seat for 2019. It can also be used with a travel system.
i-Size approved
The most recent iSize infant car seats are safer than all other car seats. These rear-facing seats are designed to shield your child from the most serious collisions. They also come with side impact testing, which can lower the chance of neck and head injuries to infants.
These car seats for babies are designed to fit newborns and infants up to 13kg or 12 months old. They can be used on their own or combined with a buggy to form an infant car seat and pram travel system. They are perfect for long trips and provide a comfortable position that will ensure the comfort of your baby.
There are a variety of i-Size baby car seats at various price points. The most expensive models come with additional features, like a rotating function that allows parents to turn the seat so that their child can face them while they buckle them in. Other features include an integrated booster seat, extra padding, and a washable infant insert that includes sizing information.
Many of the iSize-approved baby car seats come with ISOFIX which connects the seat directly to the car chassis. This improves stability and increases the chance that the
car seat inserts for newborns seat is fitted correctly. This is particularly important for infants because they are more prone to injury in a crash compared to older children or adults.
The most trusted i-Size certified baby car seat is the Joie Calmi. This modern-day version of the traditional carrycot sits sideways across the back seat and enables your baby to lay flat in the most comfortable position for breathing and sleep. Its low score for value is due to the fact that it can only be used from birth to approximately 18 months. It should be paired with an Joie pushchair to form part of a travel system.
Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is another alternative. It was voted the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold Winner in our category for Group 0/0+. It features five recline positions that allow infants to lie almost flat, while older children to sit upright. It also comes with comprehensive fitting instructions, including an QR code that lets you access video demonstrations and voiceovers on the Silver Cross app.
Safer in the event of an accident
Not all car seats are made in the same way. A seat that is i-Size certified is better for your child as they are more secure in the event of a crash. The difference is that iSize car seats have been tested to higher standards, which includes using the most advanced Q-series crash test dummies. They also provide more protection for the neck and head than the basic ECE R44/04 model.
Many parents choose to invest in a multi-stage car seat for newborns, as this means they won't have to purchase another car seat until their child is a teenager. These seats are designed to expand with your child. They can be used as a carrycot that is completely flat, a toddler seat and then a high back booster. A lot of them can be used with prams as part of an overall travel system that includes an automobile seat as well as a pushchair and travel system.
The I-Snug 2 is a fantastic option for babies, since it has a three-layers of security on the wings on the sides. It comes with a unique padded baby pillow which keeps your baby safe and secure. It also has a special i-Snug 2 infant belt lock which stops the belt from getting loose during a crash.
The Joie Calmi is a good choice. It was given Gold in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Baby/Toddler Car seat (Stage 1/2). This seat and base combo clicks onto Isofix mountings, making it easy to install. The base is solid and has a light that turns to green when it is secured. The seat is a bit heavier than other models, but it has excellent side-impact tests and a great range of weight and height settings.
One of the downsides of this seat is that it doesn't have the 360-degree swivel that could make it difficult to get your child in and out of the car. It is also more expensive than other options.
The i-Level is a fantastic multi-stage car seat designed for newborns that can be fitted with rear-facing, the safest way for infants to travel. It comes with a five-point harness and can be upgraded to forward-facing when your baby is big enough. It comes with a reclining chair and a headrest that can be adjusted to 10 positions. Side wings can be widened to offer additional protection.
Easy to install
A car seat is one of the biggest purchases a new parent makes. It is crucial to choose a car seat that is easy to put in and will stay safe in your vehicle. Choose a car seat that can be fitted into your vehicle's Isofix points. These anchor points are designed to make attaching seats for children easier and safer. Additionally, it's recommended to look for a car seat with clear instructions and a site that has a video showing how to fit the seat.
The maxicosi Cabriofix is a excellent choice for those who travel often due to its integrated ISOFIX connectors and can be used without a base in taxis and hire cars. Its
lightweight baby car seat design and one-handed release makes it a great choice for parents who frequently change between vehicles or travel with their family members. It also scored well in the Which? Testers found it easy to turn 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 to help you find the most comfortable one for your child. It has an extension bar that can reach up to 26cm at base of the seat, which is perfect for older children.
It is important to remember that you can only allow your newborn to stay for two hours in a car seat per 24 hours. This is because prolonged sitting in a semi-upright posture can restrict airflow and cause pressure on your child's spine. If your newborn is starting to look uncomfortable, it's time to take them out of the car seat.
If you're looking for a car seat that will develop with your child, consider the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360. It is suitable for newborns and infants from 12 to 12 years old. It comes with a large rear-facing car seat with a five-point harness and side-impact protection pod. The car seat scored highly in the ADAC tests, and it can be fitted with either the Isofix base or seatbelt. It also works with the majority of Maxi-Cosi pram frame models.
Affordability
New parents should consider purchasing an appropriate car seat for their infant in the UK. It should be simple to install and comfortable for the baby, and safe. It should be affordable. It is crucial to think about the budget before deciding on a car seat. While certain car seats are more expensive than others, there are many budget-friendly options available on the market. The cost of car seats for children may vary based on the model and the manufacturer. There are a few other aspects that affect the price, including the car seat's weight and size. A car seat that is lighter is cheaper than one that is larger.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is the most attractive and most practical newborn car seat available, says MFM reviewer Sarah. It features a foam insert that babies can sit on to get the best seat position. It can also be removed slowly as they grow older. Its design is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back and it comes in four colours with top-quality finishing elements. The only downside is that it is able to be used only with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.
Another alternative is the Nuna PIPA urbn, which was awarded gold for innovation at the Mother&Baby awards 2024. It's easy to install and has a baseless, streamlined design. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that click into place with a satisfying clunk. It's ideal for parents who are occupied and don't want to have to move car seats from one vehicle to another.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade, a newborn car seat that can also function as a carrycot, is a fantastic alternative for parents who are looking for a new baby car seat. It is the first
cheap infant car seats car seat that is iSize and complies with R129 safety standards. It's a great option for parents who care about the environmental impact and financial cost. It's easy to install and is connected to Maxi-Cosi pram frames. It also comes with an adjustable handle that allows the car seat to be swiveled to provide ease of use.
