Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK

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

The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a top pick. It clicks into its base with a satisfying click and was awarded the ADAC's top car seat rating for the year 2019. It is also compatible in conjunction with an integrated travel system.

i-Size approved

The newest iSize infant car seat in front seat car seats are more secure than other models. These rear-facing seats are designed to safeguard your baby from the most serious injuries. They also come with side impact testing, which can reduce the risk of head and neck injuries for infants.

These car seats for babies can be used by infants and newborns until 12 months or 13kg. They can be used on their own or combined with a buggy for a pram and car seat travel system. They are a great option for long trips and offer an easy lie-flat position to ensure that your baby is comfortable.

There are a range of i-Size baby car seats at various price points. The most expensive models come with extra features, such as the ability to rotate that allows parents to turn the seat so that their child is facing them while they secure them. Other features include an integrated booster seat, additional padding, and a washable infant insert with sizing information.

ISOFIX is a feature found on many of the iSize-approved baby car seats. This allows the seat to be connected directly to the chassis of the vehicle. This increases stability and the chance that the seat is properly fitted. This is particularly crucial for infants since they are more vulnerable to injury in an accident than older children or adults.

The best car seat i-Size approved baby car seat is the Joie Calmi. This modern-day version of the traditional carrycot fits sideways across the back seat and enables your baby to lay flat in the ideal position for breathing and sleep. Its low score on value is due to the fact that it is only able to be used from birth until approximately 18 months. It is required to be used in conjunction with a Joie pushchair as part the travel system.

Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is another option. It was named the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold Winner in our Group 0/0+ category. It features five recline positions, which allows infants to lay almost flat, while older children can sit more upright. It includes comprehensive fitting instructions and an QR code that lets you access video demonstrations with voiceovers on the Silver Cross App.

Safety in the event of an accident

Not all car seats are made in the same way. Picking a seat i-Size certified will protect your child better in the event of an accident. The difference is that i-Size car seats have been tested to higher standards, including using more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies. They also have more neck and head protection than the standard ECE R44/04 models.

Many parents choose to purchase a multi-stage car seat designed for newborns which means that they won't have to buy a new seat again until their child turns teenager. These seats are designed to grow as your child grows. They can be used as a carrycot that is fully flat, a toddler seat, and then a high-back booster. Many of them are compatible with prams as part the travel system which includes a car seat as well as a pushchair and travel system.

The i-Snug 2 is a great option for newborns, as it comes with three layers of security in the wings on the sides. It also comes with a unique padded infant pillow, which ensures your baby is safe and secure. It also comes with a special iSnug2 infant belt lock that prevents the belt from coming loose in the event of a crash.

The Joie Calmi is another great option. It was awarded Gold in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Baby/Toddler Car seat (Stage 1/2). The seat and base combination connects to Isofix mountings making it easy to put in. The base is stable, and has an indicator that turns to green when it's secured. The seat is a little heavier than other models but it's got excellent side-impact tests and a good range of weight and height settings.

This seat has several drawbacks. It's not able to rotate 360 degrees, making it difficult to maneuver your child in and out of the vehicle. It's also more expensive than other models.

The i-Level is a fantastic multi-stage car seat for newborns that can be fitted rear-facing, the safest way for infants to travel. It comes with five-point harnesses and can be converted to forward-facing once your baby is large enough. It comes with a reclining chair and a headrest with a 10-position adjustment. Side wings can be expanded to provide extra protection.

Easy to install

A car seat is among the most important purchases that a new parent will make. It is crucial to choose a car seat that is simple to install and is secure in the vehicle. Find a car seat that fits into the car's Isofix points. These anchor points are designed to make attaching child seats easier and safer. It's also a good idea that you look for seats that come with clear instructions, and that includes a website and video tutorial on how to install the seat.

The maxicosi cabriofix is a great option for those who travel often because it comes with ISOFIX connectors and can be used without an additional base in taxis or hire cars. Its light design and single-handed release makes it a convenient choice for parents who often switch between vehicles or drive with other family members. It also scored high on the Which? tests on ease of use, with testers finding it easy to rotate and recline the seat.

Another fantastic feature of the maxicosi cabriofix is the adjustable headrest which can be moved to accommodate the height increase of your infant car seats best. It also features five reclining positions which allows you to choose the ideal position for your child's comfort. It has a bar that extends up to 26cm at bottom of the seat, which is perfect for older children.

Be aware that your child can only spend two hours a day in a car. This is because prolonged upright sitting can block airflow and strain your child’s spine. If your child is looking uncomfortable, it may be time to take them from the car seat.

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

Affordability

New parents should consider purchasing a high-quality car seat for their newborn in the United Kingdom. It should be simple to put in, comfortable for the baby, and safe. It should also be affordable. It is important to consider the budget before deciding on a car seat. There are a lot of cheap car seats available on the market, though some are more expensive. The price of a child car seat varies depending on the model and brand. There are a few other aspects that affect the cost that can affect the price, such as the car seat's weight and dimensions. A car seat that is light 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 available, says MFM reviewer Sarah. It comes with a cushion that the infant can lay on to get the best car seat infant seating position. The foam insert can be removed when they grow older. Its design is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back and comes in four colors with high-end finishing features. The only downside is that it is able to be used only with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.

Nuna PIPA Urbn is another option. It was awarded gold at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for innovation. It is easy to set up and has an uncluttered, minimalist design. It comes with ISOFIX connectors built-in which click into place with an satisfying click. It's perfect for parents who are occupied and don't want to have to change car seats from one vehicle to another.

Finally, the Maxi-Cosi Jade is an excellent choice for parents looking for a newborn car seat that doubles as a carrycot. It was the first infant i-Size car seat to comply with R129 safety standards, and it's an excellent option for parents who are concerned about environmental and financial costs. It's easy to install and can be attached to most Maxi-Cosi pram frames. It has a reclining hand that allows you to tilt the car seat to ensure comfort.