Although selecting the right car seat is an important task no matter what the age of your child is, it’s particularly vital when your child is an infant. This can feel overwhelming at points – there’s just so many great options out there! How can you possibly separate fact from fiction while you’re busy being a full-time parent? That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve done all the hard work finding the best infant car seat for small cars, so you bust infant parents out there don’t have to!
You’re particularly aware about the safety of your children as you are when they’re infants. Not only are they in one of their most vulnerable developmental stages, but you’re new to this whole parenting thing, too! That’s why choosing a car seat is so important. You need to be certain that your child is going to be safe while you’re on the move. Also, from a health safety perspective, it’s particularly vital to secure the physical safety of your child when they’re so young. The American Association of Paediatrics has a brilliant series of safety-related recommendations that are extremely helpful when you’re considering which infant car seat to go for. We’ve taken these recommendations into particular consideration in our search for the best infant car seat out there today. You want to be certain that no matter the kind of driving you’re doing – be it short urban journeys or long rural road trips, you feel completely confident in the abilities of your car seat when it comes to have looking after your little bundle of joy.
With regards to choosing the right model, we’ve rated the our following “top three” models according to the following features: safety features, ability to customise, ability to clean, and comfort, right in keeping with the needs and concerns of parents! These are also particularly appropriate for small cars!
Brittax B-Baby 35 Review | ££
Features
The B-Baby features amazing state-of-the-art safety features designed specifically for infants that have been integrated into the seats’ design, so that parents can be assured of safety! The B-Baby 35 seat has a steel-frame for strength that’s also equipped with an energy absorbing base. This doubles as a shock protector in collisions, allowing for maximum protection for any infants. The seat also features a SafeCenter Latch, which secures the seat securely but simply into your vehicle and can be installed in less than a minute. The seat is specifically contoured to minimize side-to-side, in keeping with American Association of Paediatrics recommendations. It can also be clipped into Brittax stroller frame!
Review
Pros
- An all-around layer of foam protection, which provides especially for protection from side-collisions
- Contoured shell minimizes movement of your 8-month-old inside the seat while also minimizing the space it takes up inside the car, in keeping with American Association of Paediatrics recommendations
- The installation system is streamlined and simple thanks to the Safe Center LATCH feature
- Customizable relax and recline features, meaning that you can ensure that your eight-month-old is as comfortable as possible
- Two layers of side protection which allows for additional crash protection
- Steel frame with an energy absorbing base, allowing for stability even in the most intense collisions
- LATCH belt positioning clip, which allows for the safest harness security
- QuickFit headrest which allows for easy comfort and harness adjustment
- An Amazon Top Choice
- Machine washable
Cons
- The seat itself weighs close to 30 pounds
- The age range that the seat serves isn’t as wide as some of the other models on the market,
- The bulky size of the seat means that it is only suitable for vehicles of certain sizes, so if you drive a smaller car then this could be a problem. Brittax do provide a list of cars which it will fit, so we recommend referencing that first!
Rating
Comfort: 4/5
Ability to customize: 3/5
Ability to clean: 3/5
Safety features: 4/5
Overall: 14/20
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Review|£££
Features
The Chicco KeyFit 30 has the distinction of having been rated the number one infant car seat in America! Helping to secure its coveted number-one spot on the list is its Super Clinch One-Pull LATCH system that has force-multiplying technology that helps achieve extremely secure stability for infants. This technology also helps give extra security in the case of a collision. The seat also comes equipped with a canopy, providing wonderful relief from the heat on warm days, as well as helping get the little one asleep when it comes to nap time! The design used in the fabric is also highly breathable, having been selected particularly for its temperature-adjusting qualities.
Review
Pros
- Features a Super Clinch One-Pull LATCH system that gives security while also being a low-maintenance harness system
- Flexible design allows for adjustment to child’s specific size, including removable shoulder pads which are particularly helpful for infants
- Breathable backrest for excellent temperature control
- A one-pull harness that only has one tether for easy use
- A clip-on canopy and visor for protection from the elements
- Rated the number one infant car seat in America in 2017
- Clicks into Chicco strollers
- Machine washable seat
- Lined with energy-absorbing foam and equipped with force-multiplying technology to stabilize
- Ergonomic insert perfect for infants
- Five-point harness for maximum safety
Cons
- Reviews indicated that the installation is not always straightforward and can be challenging in particular in smaller cars
- No accessories currently available
- The seat itself is heavy and bulky. It’s bulkiness in particular means that it can be difficult to fit into smaller cars and its heaviness means that it can be difficult to transport
- Although the seat is machine-washable, the process isn’t straightforward as you have to take off the cushions one by one. This can be time consuming for busy parents, especially considering that other models are more straightforward
Rating
Comfort: 5/5
Ability to customize: 4/5
Ability to clean: 5/5
Safety features: 4/5
Overall: 18/20
Safety 1st Grow-and-Go Review | £££
Features
The Safety 1st Grow-and-Go measures 24.5 x 19 x 24.2 inches and weighs in at about 19 pounds. This model is a wonderful option for infants as they grow and grow and grow, as one of the great advantages of the grow-and-go seat is that it’s convertible. It features three separate settings: rear-facing, front-facing, and booster that can be used as your infant develops. The seat features a Quick Fit safety strap harness allowing for maximum safety and has two grow-with-baby built-in cushions for maximum security and comfort for your baby. The easy-to-use LATCH system also means that you’re able to get the child in question in and out of the harness easily.
Review
Pros
- Its innovative design can be used at three different stages of child development, while still having specific modifications perfect for infants
- Has a height-adjustable feature, allowing you to ensure that your small passenger is as comfortable as possible,
- Features two grow-with-child pillows on the seat to keep your toddler as comfortable and safe as possible
- Three different recline settings, so nap time will come easily!
- Side impacted tested in addition to exceeding all applicable safety standards
- Selected as an Amazon’s Top Choice
- Available in a range of different colours
- Machine washable and drier safe
Cons
- Some parent reviews indicate that the straps are sometimes difficult to tighten
- Other reviews also indicated that installation of the seat can be challenging
- The seats’ physically bulky size can be a problem when it comes to smaller-size cars. Parents indicated that this was a particular problem when having toddlers ride in the rear-facing position
- Structure of seat doesn’t appear to be as sturdy as higher-price seats, although the seat does still have an excellent safety record
- Reviews also indicate that installation is not always straightforward, and instructions can be confusing
- No accessories currently available
Rating
Comfort: 4/5
Ability to customize: 3/5
Ability to clean: 4/5
Safety features: 4/5
Overall: 15/20
Summary
Choosing a car seat for your infant child. When you’re selecting for a younger child, there are a whole range of addition safety considerations that you have to consider when they’re at this vulnerable development stage. After examining these three different models, and weighing them according to comfort, ability to customize, ability to clean and safety features, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Chicco KeyFit 30 is the best overall solution to the needs of parents of infants.
What makes the KeyFit 30 stand apart from the Grow-and-Go and the B-Baby 35 is that while it has many of the same features as the other two models, including being convertible into a toddler and young child car seat, it has details that are perfect for infants in particular. These include a clip-on-canopy to provide sun relief, along with an ergonomic insert that provides complete comfort to infants. In terms of safety features, the seat features all-around energy absorbing foam, perfect for guaranteeing complete security. While the Grow-and-Go and the Brittax each have wonderful infant-specific design qualities, the Chicco KeyFit 30’s ability to preserve these features while also having a stellar safety record sets it a little apart. However, this does come with a slightly heftier price tag. Although, when you consider the seats’ ability to convert as the child grows, you can rest assured that you’ve made a savvy long-term investment!
