# What car seat do I need for a newborn? | Clever Mum

> An infant car seat approved to R129 (i-Size) or R44/04, rear-facing, fitted correctly from the very first journey home — it's a legal requirement, hospitals

*   [ Home ](/) 
*  › [ Mum Answers ](/answers) 
*  ›  What car seat do I need for a newborn?  
 
   
Gear

 
#  What car seat do I need for a newborn? 

    
 
Quick answer — What car seat do I need for a newborn? 

 
An infant car seat approved to R129 (i-Size) or R44/04, rear-facing, fitted correctly from the very first journey home — it's a legal requirement, hospitals won't discharge you without one properly fitted. R129/i-Size seats are generally the current standard, tested for side-impact and requiring rear-facing to at least 15 months. Buy new, never second-hand, since crash history is invisible.

   
## The two approval standards

* **R129 (i-Size):** the newer standard, selected by your baby's height rather than weight, with mandatory side-impact testing and a legal requirement to stay rear-facing until at least 15 months. This is the standard most new car seats now use.
* **R44/04:** the older standard, selected by weight, still legal to buy and use, and can be forward-facing from around 9kg/9 months (though rear-facing for longer is still safer and widely recommended).

Both are legal; check which fitting method (Isofix base or seatbelt) suits your car before choosing a specific model.

## Why "buy new" is non-negotiable

A car seat's protective performance depends on structural integrity that's invisible after a crash — even a seemingly minor one. Unlike almost every other piece of baby gear, this is the one item where second-hand (unless from someone you know the full history of, with no crash) is a genuine risk not worth taking.

## Getting it fitted right

A shockingly high proportion of car seats are fitted or used incorrectly. Many local councils, fire stations and some retailers offer free car seat safety checks — worth booking before your due date rather than figuring it out for the first time on the hospital car park. Our [car seat guide](/best/best-car-seats-uk) compares current i-Size options by budget and car compatibility.

  
 **Go deeper:**  [Best car seats](/best/best-car-seats-uk/) 

    
## 
More Gear questions

 
 *  [What do I actually need for a newborn?](/answers/what-do-i-actually-need-newborn/) 
*  [What’s the difference between a pram, pushchair and travel system?](/answers/pram-vs-travel-system/) 
*  [Do I really need a baby monitor?](/answers/do-i-need-a-baby-monitor/) 
*  [How many sleepsuits and vests does a newborn actually need?](/answers/how-many-sleepsuits-newborn-need/) 
*  [Do I need a wipe warmer or bottle warmer?](/answers/do-i-need-a-wipe-warmer-bottle-warmer/) 
 
 
 [Browse every question we answer →](/answers/) 

  

Health answers describe NHS guidance and are not medical advice — for anything urgent, call
      111 (or 999 in an emergency). Spotted something out of date? Email
[editors@clevermum.co.uk](mailto:editors@clevermum.co.uk).