What car seat do I need for a newborn?

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 compares current i-Size options by budget and car compatibility.