The Best Car Seats For Newborns
A good car seat is an essential purchase for babies. Suitable from birth to 13kg, they typically are used in conjunction with a pushchair to create an entire travel system. They also have a lay flat design to provide the best sleeping position for babies.
The law requires that your child be rear-facing until the age of nine months, or 135cm. We recommend using an iSize (also known as R129) or an ECE R44-approved baby seat equipped with ISOFIX and side impact protection.
Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro i-Size
If you're in search of an i-Size infant car seat that can keep your baby safe from birth until they're able to transition to a booster seat, then this model from Silver Cross is definitely worth having a closer look. It is one of only the few R129-approved car seats that can be used at birth, and provides full protection for rear-facing children up to the age of 7. This makes it an excellent investment for your child.
The i-Size certification covers more than just front-impact tests, including side impact testing too so it's always worth checking this with any car you consider buying. Other factors like the ease of installation, and if it's suitable for your car are equally important, since any brilliant safety features won't work to their full potential if they're not fitted correctly.
The design of the Pebble Pro is sleek and elegant with soft fabric covers that are machine washable for easy cleaning. The seat cushion is padded to provide comfort, and the reversible liner could be used to protect your baby. It's an ergonomic carry handle with an ergonomic grip that makes it comfortable to carry and lift.
As you can see in the pictures the base of this car seat can be connected directly to your vehicle using either the Isofix connectors or using the seat belt of your vehicle. infant car seat for travel is recommended to make use of the FamilyFix ISize base to ensure the iSize's compliance and to facilitate installation. The base can be used with Maxi Cosi accessories such as footmuffs, seat covers, and sun shades to provide warmth or shield your child from sun exposure.
Aside from the i-Size approval and impressive crash test results that ensure it gets top marks in all categories, this is an extremely well-designed car seat with numerous other features that make it worth a look. The compact fold only takes up a tiny space in the trunk. It comes with 5-point safety harness, ergonomic carry handle, and 10 headrest positions that your baby can enjoy with memory foam. It can also fit into the majority of pushchairs that are part of a travel set-up and can be used with the brand's FamilyFix 360 base.
Silver Cross Dream ISize
The Silver Cross Dream i-Size is one of the most recent products in the range of the company and is a luxurious option that comes with an infant insert for your precious baby. This car seat is approved by iSize and will provide the longest lifespan for your child's development from birth. It can be used with a rear facing until 18kg and it offers superior side impact protection thanks to its unique Motion Safe System. The seat's rotating design makes it easy to get your child in and out and the built-in lock ISOFIX ensures that it is securely secured in place.
This model is suitable for infants up to 12 months old (85cm) and has been designed for comfort. It has soft-touch bamboo fabrics with premium branding from Silver Cross. The insert for newborns is designed to keep your baby comfortable and secure, with removable sections that you can alter as your baby grows and the five-position headrest ensures a comfortable fit. The seat is awarded the AGR 2022 certification of approval an award that is the highest for infant car seats - and is compatible with Silver Cross prams and pushchairs to create an entire travel system (adapters are available separately).
Like the Nuna PIPA Urbn, the Dream i-Size is also baseless which means you can use it with the ISOFIX connectors or the seat belt of your vehicle. The unique ISOFIX installation system is simple to use and takes only a few minutes to set up. The seat is an excellent option for parents who frequently change cars or share a car with their family or take a trip with drivers and taxis.
It's worth noting that this seat is a bit more expensive than the maxicosi Cabriofix, however it's still one of our top picks as it looks great, features an easy-to-use 360 swivel base as well as an easy three-level recline feature and a removable baby inlay. It's also iSize-approved and has a top crash test score, as well as being one of the top safety picks by Which? They base their recommendations on safety and ease of installation and also on whether the seat is installed correctly. Be aware that even the most durable of car seats will only offer maximum protection if installed correctly.
Axkid One i-Size
The Axkid One i-Size is the only ISOFIX seat we've tested that can allow rear-facing children up to 23kg and 125cm (around four years old). It has the highest height limit for rear-facing of any seat we've tested. It's definitely a unique feature and if you want to keep your child rear-facing for as long as it is possible, it's worth a look.
The seat is solid and sturdy It has plenty of room for your child's head and torso. It's designed for comfort and features a one-handed reclining mechanism with 12 headrest positions and soft belt padding. We think that it's able to endure the wear and tear of regular usage, though the button and mechanism used to tighten and release the straps can be a bit difficult to use and we are concerned about it becoming stuck or breaking over time.
It's also a relatively lightweight seat, weighing just under 10kg, making it easy to get in and out of the car. It comes with a pocket to store small items on the back, and a built in sun shade that has an elastic strip. It is easily clipped to a compatible stroller that is ideal if you have to travel on multiple occasions.
As is usual with an i-Size car seats, the base of this seats uses Isofix connectors and snaps effortlessly into place. It also has an additional leg for support which can be adjusted with tiny grey buttons tucked behind the back of the seat and an indicator light that lets you know it's secure. The seat slides onto the top, and there's a handy grab handle for lifting it in and out of the car.
One of the most appealing advantages of this seat is it's ability to slide forward and backwards along the base to alter legroom. You can adjust the legroom to meet your child's height so that they can comfortably cross their legs. This is a fantastic feature that works. It took me about 30 minutes to set up the seat and adjust the legroom after a bit of practice.
George at Asda
George at ASDA has a great selection of infant car seats, whether you're looking to purchase your first one or a second one to put in your pushchair. The well-known chain of supermarkets is well-known for its cheap clothes and homeware and is particularly well-known during Christmas and other shopping occasions.
Prices vary for all products for parents. However, you can purchase an infant car seat for babies from PS100 that doesn't need any base, all the way up to PS725 for a full infant car seat. If you plan to use the pushchair you already own, buying an extra seat will save you money compared to buying an additional travel system or pram.
If you're buying car seats for your newborn it is important to select one that is compliant with the latest regulations. This includes a recommended recline position to keep babies from sitting in a dangerous and unnatural position. Additionally, the seat should also be padded to keep newborns snug and comfortable.
Infants and newborns can outgrow their car seats very quickly, so it's important to select a seat that can grow with them. This is why many parents opt for a group 1/2/3 or 0+/1 car seat that can be adjusted to accommodate their child's height. This kind of car seat is suitable from birth up to about 12 years old.
Second-hand car seats aren't safe for infants. You should only purchase them if they've been thoroughly cleaned and checked. Experts in car safety Damon Marriott and Claire Waterhouse advise against purchasing a second-hand car seat through friends or relatives, as it's hard to discern its history. They recommend a used seat from a trusted seller or even on eBay. Before buying anything it is an excellent idea to check the warranty. The warranty should cover all repairs or replacements. Warranty terms can range between two and six years depending on the manufacturer. The longer the warranty is, the better. The most comprehensive warranties offer replacement parts and free repairs for the first three to five years.