Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK

A quality seat is an investment that will last a lifetime. Look for a model that can help your child all the way to a secure high-back booster seat, which is suitable for children who are lower than the centile.

The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 makes a great choice. It snaps into its base with a satisfying clunk and received ADAC's best car seat rating for the year 2019. It can also be used in conjunction with a travel system.

I-Size is approved

The latest iSize infant car seats are safer than all other car seats. These rear-facing seats are designed to shield your baby from the most serious collisions. These models also have side impact testing which reduces the risk of neck and head injuries among 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 a pram and car seat travel system. They are a great option for long drives and provide the option of lying flat to ensure your baby is in a comfortable position.

There are many i-Size baby car seats at different price points. The most expensive models include additional features like the ability for parents to turn their seat so that their child is facing them while they buckle it in. Other features include a built-in booster seat with extra padding, as well as an insert that can be washed with sizing information.

ISOFIX is a feature found on many of the iSize-approved baby car seats. This allows the seat to be tethered directly to the vehicle chassis. This increases stability and the chance that the seat is properly fitted. This is particularly important for infants as they are more prone to injury during a crash compared to older children or adults.

The most trusted i-Size certified baby car seat is the Joie Calmi. This modern version of the traditional carrycot fits across the back seat sideways and lets your baby lay flat, which is best car seat for newborn for breathing and sleeping. Its low score for value, however, is due to the fact that it can only be used from birth up to about 18 months old and is required to be used in conjunction with the Joie pushchair as part of an overall travel system.

Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a different alternative. It was voted the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold Winner in our Group 0/0+ category. It comes with five recline positions that allow young infants to lay nearly flat, while older children to sit upright. It also comes with comprehensive instructions for fitting, as well as a QR code to access videos with voiceovers on the Silver Cross app.

More secure in the event of a crash

Car seats are vital to your baby's safety, but not all seats are created to be the same. Choosing a seat that is i-Size certified will safeguard your child more effectively in the event of a collision. The i-Size car seats have been tested to a higher standard including the use of advanced Q-series test dummies. They also have more head and neck protection than basic ECE R44/04 models.

Many parents opt to invest in a multi-stage car seat for newborns which means that they don't need to purchase a new seat again until their child becomes a teenager. These seats are designed to grow with your child. They can be used as a carrycot that is completely flat, a toddler's seat and then a high-back booster. Many of them can be used with a pram to form part of a car seat as well as a pushchair travel system.

The i-Snug 2 is an excellent option for babies, since it has a three-layers of security in the wings on the sides. It comes with an innovative padded infant car seat swivel pillow, which ensures your baby is safe and secure. It also has a special i-Snug 2 infant belt lock, which stops the belt from becoming loose in a crash.

Another option is the Joie Calmi that was awarded Gold for best car seat newborn Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1 / 2) in 2024 Mother&Baby awards. This is a seat and base combo that can be plugged into Isofix mounts, so it's easy to put in. The base is stable and comes with an indicator that changes color when it's secure. The seat is heavier than some of the alternatives, but it has excellent side-impact tests and a good range of weight and height settings.

The seat comes with some drawbacks. It's not able to rotate 360 degrees, making it difficult to maneuver your child into and out of the vehicle. It is also more expensive than some other options.

The ILevel is a multi-stage car seat that can be installed rear-facing for the safety of infants and toddlers. It comes with a 5-point harness that can be converted into forward-facing seats when your child is old enough. It also has a recline seat and a 10-position headrest, as well as wings that can expand in the side for more protection.

Easy to install

A car seat is one of the most important purchases a new parent will make. It's important to buy one that is simple to install and will stay secure in the vehicle. You should also look for a car seat that is compatible with your car's Isofix anchor points designed to make it easier and safer to connect children's seats. It is also recommended to choose seats that come with clear instructions and has a website with a video that demonstrates how to install the seat.

The maxicosi cabriofix is ideal choice for those who travel frequently because it comes with ISOFIX connectors, and can be used without a base in taxis and hire cars. Its light design and single-handed release makes it a convenient choice for parents who often change between cars or drive with family members. It also scored well on the Which? tests for ease of use and comfort, with test participants finding it easy to rotate and recline the seat.

Another excellent feature of the maxicosi cabriofix is the adjustable headrest which can be adjusted to accommodate the growing height of your top rated infant car seats. It also comes with five recline positions which allows you to choose the most comfortable position to ensure your child's comfort. It has an extension bar that can reach up to 26cm from the base of the seat, which is great for older children.

You should remember that you should only allow your newborn to be in a car seat over a 24 hours. This is because prolonged semi-upright sitting can restrict airflow, and put strain on your child's spine. If your child appears uncomfortable, it could be time to take them from the car seat.

Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a fantastic choice for parents who want an infant car seat that can grow with their child. It is suitable for newborns and infants up to 12 years old, and it comes with a large rear-facing car seat with 5-point harness and a side-impact protection pod. This car seat scored well in the ADAC test, and can be fitted either with the Isofix or seatbelt base. It's also compatible with the majority of Maxi-Cosi pram frames.

Affordability

A car seat that is suitable for a newborn is an essential purchase for parents who are expecting a child. 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 choosing a car seat. While some car seats are more expensive than others, there are many budget-friendly options available on the market. The price of a child's car seat can vary depending on the type and brand. There are a few other aspects that can influence the price that can affect the price, such as the car seat's weight and size. A lightweight car seat will be more affordable than a heavier one.

The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is the most attractive and most practical newborn car seat on the market as per MFM reviewer Sarah. It comes with a cushion that babies can rest on to ensure the best seating position. The foam insert can be removed as they grow older. It is endorsed by the German Association for a Healthy Back and is available in four colours. It also has high-quality finishing touches. It is only compatible with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.

Another alternative is the Nuna PIPA urbn that was awarded gold for innovation at the Mother&Baby awards 2024. It is easy to install and has an uncluttered, minimalist design. It has ISOFIX connectors that snap into place with an satisfying sound. It's a great option for busy parents who want to avoid the stress of switching car seats between vehicles.

Lastly, the Maxi-Cosi Jade is an excellent choice for parents searching for a new car seat that can double as a carrycot. It was the first baby car seat that complies with R129 safety standards, and is a great option for parents concerned about the environment and financial costs. It's easy to install and can be attached on the majority of Maxi Cosi pram frames. It also comes with a reclining handle that allows the car seat to be swiveled to provide ease of use.