Choosing the Best Car Seat For Newborn UK
A quality seat is an investment that can last a lifetime. Find a seat that will help your child all the way to a secure high-back booster seat, which is suitable for lower centile children.
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a fantastic choice. It snaps 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 as a travel system.
i-Size approved
The newest infant car seats from iSize are safer than any other. These rear-facing models meet the strictest safety standards and are designed to protect infants from the most serious accidents. These models also include tests for side impacts that can reduce the risk for neck and head injuries among infants.
The baby car seats are suitable for newborns or infants up until 13kg or 12 month old. These car seats can be used by themselves or in conjunction with a buggy for a travel system. They are great for long trips, and provide a flat position that will ensure your baby's comfort.
There are many i-Size baby car seats at different price points. The most expensive models include additional features, for example, the ability to rotate that allows parents to rotate the seat so that their child is facing them while they buckle them in. Other features include a built-in booster seat along with additional padding and a washable insert for infants with the sizing information.
ISOFIX is a feature found on a lot of iSize-approved baby car seats. Push Chairs And Prams allows the seat to be attached directly to the chassis of the vehicle. This improves stability and increases the chances that the seat will be installed correctly. This is particularly crucial for infants since they are more vulnerable to injury in an accident than older children or adults.
The best i-Size approved baby car seat is the Joie Calmi. This modern-day version of the traditional carrycot is positioned in the back of the seat sideways and allows your child to lay flat in the ideal position for breathing and sleep. Its low score on value, however, is due to the fact that it is only able to be used from birth up to around 18 months and is required to be used in conjunction with a Joie pushchair as part of an overall travel system.
Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a different option. It was voted the 2021 Mother&Baby Gold Winner in our category for Group 0/0+. It has five recline positions, which allows young infants to lie nearly flat and older children to sit more upright. It also features comprehensive instructions for fitting, as well as an QR code that lets you access video demonstrations with voiceover on the Silver Cross app.
Safety in the event an accident
Not all car seats are created 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 iSize car seats have been tested to higher standards, for example using more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies. They also provide more protection for neck and head than the basic ECE R44/04 model.
Many parents opt to purchase a multi-stage car seat for newborns and this means that they won't have to buy a new seat again until their child becomes a teenager. These seats are designed to expand with your child. They can be used as a carrycot completely flat, a toddler's seat and then a high back booster. Many of them can be used in conjunction with prams as part of a car seat as well as a pushchair travel system.
The i-Snug 2, with its three-layers security in the side wings is a great choice for infants. It comes with an innovative baby pillow that is padded, which ensures your baby is safe and secure. It also comes with a unique i-Snug 2 infant belt lock that prevents the belt from getting loose during a crash.
Another great option is the Joie Calmi, which was awarded Gold for the Best Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1 / 2) in 2024 Mother&Baby awards. It's a base and seat base combination that snaps onto Isofix mounts, making it easy to install. The base is sturdy and has an indicator that turns to green when it's secured. The seat is a bit heavier than some other options, but it has excellent side-impact tests and a great range of height and weight adjustment settings.
One of the disadvantages of this seat is that it doesn't come with an swivel 360 degrees, which could make it difficult to get your child into and out of the car. It's also more expensive than other seats.
The ILevel is a multi-stage car seat that is rear-facing to protect young children. It comes with five-point harnesses that can be converted into forward-facing seats when your child is old enough. It also comes with a reclining seat and a 10-position headrest, as well as wings that expand to the sides for additional protection.
Easy to install
A car seat is among the most important purchases a new parent will make. It is essential to buy a car seat that is easy-to-install and is secure in the car. Find a car seat that is compatible with your vehicle's Isofix points. These anchor points are designed to make attaching seats for children easier and safer. In addition, it's an excellent idea to search for a car seat with clear instructions and a website that provides videos that show how to install the seat.
The maxicosi Cabriofix is a ideal choice for those who travel often, as it has integrated ISOFIX connectors, and can be used without the need for a base in taxis and hire cars. Its lightweight design and one-handed release makes it a convenient option for parents who regularly change between vehicles or travel with their family members. It also scored highly in the Which? Testers found it easy to turn the seat and recline it.
The adjustable headrest of the maxicosi Cabriofix may be adjusted to fit the height of your child. It also comes with five recline positions, so you can find the most comfortable position for your child's comfort. It also features a bar at the base of the seat which can extend up to 26cm, which can be useful for children who are older.
Remember that you can only allow your baby to stay for two hours in a car seat during a 24-hour period. This is due to the fact that sitting for long periods in a semi-upright posture can limit airflow and place stress on your child's spine. If your baby is beginning to appear uncomfortable and uncomfortable, it's time to get them out of the car seat.
Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 is a fantastic choice for parents who need a car seat to 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 that has a five-point harness and 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 is also compatible with all Maxi-Cosi pram frames.
Affordability

A good car seat for a newborn is a must-have for new parents. It should be simple to install, comfortable for the baby and secure. It must also be affordable. It is essential to consider the budget before selecting a car seat. While certain car seats are more expensive than others, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available on the market. The cost of a child's car seat can vary based on the model and the manufacturer. There are other factors that can influence the price, including the car seat's weight and size. A lightweight car seat will be more affordable than a heavier one.
Sarah who is an MFM reviewer, believes the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat is one of the most appealing and practical newborn car seats on the market. It has an insert of foam that babies can sit on to ensure the ideal seating position and can be removed gradually as they grow older. Its design is approved by the German Association for a Healthy Back and it comes in four colours and top-quality finishing elements. It is only compatible with certain Silver Cross pushchairs.
Another option is the Nuna PIPA urbn, which was awarded gold for its innovation at the Mother&Baby awards 2024. It has a baseless design and can be easily inserted in taxis, hire vehicles, or trips to the grandparents' vehicle. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that snap into the right position with a satisfying click. It's an excellent choice for parents who are busy and wish to avoid the hassle of having to switch car seats between.
The Maxi-Cosi Jade, a newborn car seat that can also be used as a carrycot, is an excellent choice for parents in search of a new baby car seat. This was the first newborn car seat that was i-Size to be in compliance 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 is connected to Maxi-Cosi pram frames. It also has a reclining handle that allows the car seat to be tilted to provide ease of use.