A first stage car seat, or infant carrier, is used to secure your baby safely in the car in a rear-facing position. Out of the car it should be light enough to carry your baby in and double up as low, supportive, rocking chair at home.

Give yourself plenty of time to choose the right car seat for you, but remember that you will need to buy it in time to take your newborn home from hospital.

All first car seats should conform to European Standard R44.03 They are sold according to the weight of the baby and are suitable up to a weight of either 10kg (usually around 6 to 9 months) or 13kg (around 12 to 15 months).

Experts now believe that babies are safest in rear-facing seats for as long possible. However, your baby may become too tall for an infant carrier before he reaches the recommended weight limit, and some parents find that they cannot comfortably carry a baby of 13kg in a car seat.

Some car seats are part of a travel system which means they will fit onto a specific chassis to form a pushchair

For more guidelines on points to look for see Car safety under How to choose