The Best Car Seats For Newborns
A quality car seat is an essential purchase for babies. They are suitable from birth to 13kg and can be combined with a pushchair to create a travel system. They have an open design that allows newborns to sleep in the most comfortable position.
The law requires them to be rear-facing until your baby is nine months old or 135cm tall. We recommend an iSize (also called R129) or ECE R44 approved seat that is equipped with ISOFIX and offers side impact protection.
Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro i-Size
If you're in search of an i-Size infant car seat that will last your baby from birth until they're ready to move to a booster, then this model from Silver Cross is definitely worth having a closer look. It's one of one or two R129-approved car seats that are able to be used from the moment of birth, and also provides protection when rear-facing until 7. This makes it a great investment for your child.
It's important to check whether a vehicle is iSize approved. This includes side impact tests as well as front testing for impact. Other factors like the ease of installation and whether it's appropriate for your vehicle are also important, as the most advanced safety features won't work to their fullest potential if they're not installed correctly.
The design of the Pebble Pro is sleek and elegant, with soft fabric that's machine washable for quick and easy cleaning. There's soft padding for your newborn and an adjustable seat liner that can be reversible for your comfort. It has an ergonomic handle with a shaped grip that makes it easy to lift and carry.
As you can see from the pictures the base for this car seat can be connected directly to your vehicle with either the Isofix connectors or using the seat belt on your vehicle. However, it is recommended to make use of the FamilyFix I-Size base to make it easier for installation and to ensure i-Size compliance. The base can be used in conjunction with Maxi Cosi accessories such as seat covers, footmuffs, and sun shades to keep your child warm or protect your child from sun damage.
This car seat is extremely well designed and has many attributes that make it an excellent choice. It also comes with iSize approval, excellent crash test results in all categories, and has a wealth of other features. Its compact fold that takes up very little space in the boot as well as a 5-point harness an ergonomic carry handle, and 10 headrest positions, including memory foam for your newborn. The seat will also fit into most pushchairs as part of a travel system. It can be used in conjunction with the brand's FamilyFix 360 base.
Silver Cross Dream ISize
The Silver Cross Dream i-Size is one of the latest additions to the company's range and is a luxury option that includes the newborn insert for your adorable bundle. This car seat is iSize certified and gives your child maximum longevity from birth, rear facing up to 18kg and with a high level of side impact protection thanks to its unique Motion Safe system. Its rotating seat design makes it easy to get your child out and in, while the built-in easy lock ISOFIX ensures it's securely locked in place too.
Ideal for babies aged from 12 months to birth (to 85cm), this model was created with comfort in mind. with soft touch bamboo fabrics and Silver Cross premium branding. The newborn insert is designed to keep your baby comfortable and secure with removable sections that you can alter as your baby grows. Additionally, the five-position headrest provides a snug fit. The seat was awarded the AGR-2022 certificate of approval, which is a prestigious award for infant car seats and is compatible with Silver Cross prams or pushchairs in order to create a travel set (adapters are sold separately).
Like the Nuna PIPA Urbn, the Dream i-Size is also baseless that means you can use it with ISOFIX connectors or the seat belt of your vehicle. The one-of-a-kind built-in ISOFIX installation system is easy to use and takes just a few seconds to set up. The seat is an excellent option for parents who regularly change cars, share a family car or use taxis and drivers.
It's important to note that this seat is a bit more expensive than the maxicosi cabriofix but it's still one of our favourites because it looks fantastic and comes with a user-friendly 360 swivel base as well as a soft three-level recline plus a removable newborn inlay. It's also iSize-approved and has a top crash-test rating, and is a top safety pick by Which? (they base their recommendations on safety, including ease of installation and if it's properly fitted). It's important to note that even the best car seats can only provide maximum protection if they are installed properly.
Axkid One i-Size
The Axkid One i-Size is the only ISOFIX seat we've tested that can allow children to rear-face up to 23kg and 125cm (around four years old). It has the highest rear-facing height limit of any seat we've tested. It's an unusual feature that is worth looking into if you'd like your child to remain rear-facing as long as is possible.
The seat is sturdy and robust and offers plenty of room to grow 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 believe it's able to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use, even though the mechanism and button used to tighten and release the straps can be a bit complicated and we're worried about it becoming stuck or broken over time.
It's also quite light at just a little over 10kg, making it easy for you to lift into and out of your car. It comes with a handy pocket at the back of the seat for storing things and also a built-in sun shade with a handy Velcro strip. It is easily clipped to a compatible stroller that is ideal when you need to take multiple trips.
The base of the seat is Isofix compatible and can be clicked into place easily. It also comes with an additional leg for support that can be adjusted by using a small grey button tucked away on the back of the seat, and an indicator light to let you know it's secure. The seat is then able to slide on top and there's an easy grab handle for lifting it into and out of the car.
One of the best aspects of this seat is that it can be slid forward and backwards across the base to adjust the legroom. You can adjust the legroom to meet your child's height so they can cross their legs comfortably. This is a great feature that is very effective. It took me about 30 seconds to set up the seat and then adjust the legroom after a little practice.
George at Asda
George at ASDA has a great selection of infant car seats, whether you're looking to purchase your first car seat or an additional one to go with your pushchair. This well-known supermarket chain is renowned for its low-cost clothes and homeware and is particularly popular during Christmas and other shopping occasions.
Prices vary for all products for parents. However, you can purchase an infant car seat starting at PS100 that doesn't need any base, and go up to PS725 for a complete infant car seat. A second seat is generally worth it if you plan to use your existing pushchair with it, as you'll save money on the cost of a separate pram or travel system.
If you're buying a car seat for your infant it is important to select one that is in line with the most recent standards. These include a recommended recline position to prevent babies from sitting in an unnatural and unsafe position. The seat should also be equipped with removable padding to keep the baby in a comfortable and snug position.
Newborns and infants can outgrow their car seats very quickly therefore it is important to select a car seat that can grow with them. Because of this, many parents choose a group 1/2/3 or 0+/1 car seat that adjusts to fit their child's height. This type of seat is ideal for children ranging from birth up to around 12 years old.
The best infant car seat s are safe and secure therefore you should avoid second-hand ones unless they've been professionally cleaned and tested. Safety experts in the field of car seats Damon Marriott and Claire Waterhouse advise against purchasing a second-hand car seat through friends or relatives, as it's hard to discern the history of the seat. They suggest buying a used car seat purchased from a reputable seller or on eBay. Before making any purchases, it's a good idea also to verify the warranty. The warranty will cover any repairs or replacements that may be necessary. Warranty periods can vary from two to six year depending on the manufacturer. The longer the warranty period is, the more favorable. The most comprehensive warranties include repair and replacement parts as well as free repairs for the first three to five years.