10 Best Mobile Apps For Infant Car Seats Uk
Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?
Choosing the right car seat for your infant is an essential purchase for parents. It is important to understand the difference between child car seats and infant car seats.
Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing seats are suitable from the time of birth. They often go with a pram to create travel systems.
Group 0+
If you're a parent of an infant or newborn car seat, an infant car seat is essential. These seats are designed to protect children from the dangers of the road, including head injuries, by ensuring they stay in the correct position. All-stage car seats are capable of protecting infants, but they do not have the added safety features of infant car seats.
Typically, an infant car seat is rear-facing, and allows babies to ride in the seat until about 15 months old. Many of these models also include a baby insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and ensures they are comfortable. Good infant car seats include recline recommendations to protect the child's brain during the journey.
All infant car seats have to be approved in accordance with the iSize standard and must comply with European safety standards. The I-Size standard is more advanced than the R44/04 standard. This means that cars regulated under this regulation are more likely to have better side impact tests. This is crucial for newborns and babies. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which offer even more protection for infants and toddlers.
When purchasing a new car seat, buyers must think about how often they will require it to be moved from one vehicle to another. If you are a frequent user of taxis and car sharing services frequently, look for a model that is unique in its design, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This makes it possible for the seat to be installed within seconds. This allows the seat to be quickly changed between different vehicles, making it ideal for parents who need to make multiple journeys.
ADAC has awarded the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an outstanding safety rating, which means that it is a great protection for infants. In addition, it has an ISOFIX base that is built-in and an EPS energy absorbing foam.
Group 1
As with many other infant car seat like the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child reaches 12 years of age (or 36kg). It rotates to make it easy to take your baby inside and out. It can be fitted using ISOFIX or a car seatbelt that has a top tether. It is also easy to clean, which is helpful for spills and staining.
It's important to keep in mind that your child can outgrow the infant car seat quite quickly - many parents discover they need to replace the seat within nine months, or even earlier. Most manufacturers recommend switching seats when your child's head is within one inch of the edge of the seat's top.
In order to be sold the car seat must meet certain European safety standards. This includes testing rigorously in simulations of accidents, and the use of specific materials to protect your child from side-impact injuries. Two standards are in effect at the moment - ECE R44 and R129 called i-Size. The latter is more strict and takes into consideration the height and weight when determining the weight of car seats.
According to our experience, the seats that are approved to the R129 standard (i-Size) tend to be safer, easier to fit and can keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time. The only downside to these seats is that they cannot be used with an airbag for the front passenger which might not be suitable for certain families. However, it's important to speak with the manufacturer in case you have any questions prior to buying. They will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information and suggestions for your specific situation.
Group 2
A group 2 baby car seat is suitable for babies who are big enough to transition from a Group 0+ child car seat but haven't yet grown out of a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not as popular as all-in-ones however it's worth looking into if you're looking for an infant car seat that can take your child from birth up to around four years old. age.
As with all car seats, it's crucial that the seat you choose to use meets European safety standards. You can check for the E-mark to confirm that the seat meets ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is set to replace the old regulation). This will allow you to make sure that the seat will be safe for your child from injury in a crash. Seats that are approved by i-Size are also easier to fit and offer greater protection against side impacts and allow your baby to remain facing rear facing infant car seat for longer.
The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for infants up to 15 months old, is an excellent choice with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change colour when properly connected. It also has a handy base that swivels to help reduce movement in the car and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's neck, head and back to ensure their proper posture.
The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another option. It also comes with an swivel base that is 360 degrees and an exclusive G Cell system that offers protection against side-impacts. It's more expensive than the other seats, but it offers excellent protection and good value. Jasper found it comfortable for long trips and it looks better than the other seats we looked at also.
Group 3
A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth until booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing (some to at least 9kg), but can be turned around and used forward-facing until the maximum weight limit of 36kg.
These seats are typically very comfortable and provide excellent head and neck support. A lot of them have removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for infants to ensure they are germ-free. One of the top models we tested was the Nuna PIPA air Rx, even has two inserts - one made of sustainably-sourced materials, and the second made of organic cotton that is GOTS-certified, to keep your baby more snug.
In addition to having impressive crash test results, this model has an extremely user-friendly design, with an adjustable recline that is single-handed and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It's also simple to set up using ISOFIX and has a handy indicator that changes color to show when it's secure.
We wouldn't suggest swapping groups too soon, as children who are in the lower limits of each group may be more vulnerable to injury in a crash therefore it's best car seats to hold on to the seat you've always had until your child is at their new limit. There are a few excellent options in this group. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last your child until the age of 12.
Another option is Cozy N Safe Arthur, which can take your baby from the time they were born to their four-year-old booster phase. It's not as expensive as the most rated Silver Cross and has a range of options for comfort and safety that include a single recline setting and as many as 13 headrest positions.
Group 4
The infant car seat is the latest addition to our list of most effective baby car seats. It has a slightly higher age range than the previous groups and is targeted at children up to six years of age. It can be used as a booster seat or in a rear-facing position. This seat is highly praised for its versatility and because it can be used without the need for a base. It's perfect for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in grandparents' or rental car vehicles. It comes with built-in ISOFIX connectors that connect to the vehicle's base with a satisfying click. It also has a range of features that make it suitable for babies, including the brand's hugging inlay, an innovative ClimaFlow ventilation system and G-CELL side impact technology to keep your child safe as he grows.
Our team of testers have reviewed several car seats for children in order to find the most suitable option for you and your family. We evaluated each model on its ease of use, the quality of its materials and how comfortable the seat is for your child to sit in. We also considered the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize approved and its performance in crash tests. We also looked at the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For instance, the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat during low-speed impacts and short brake distances.
We also looked at the value of each model, since this is an important factor for many parents. Our top-rated infant car seat has the lowest price and are easy to install and come with useful extras such as a sleeping bag that can be removed and a reversible cover.