| First stage car seats: product test reports Infant carriers tried and tested There are two types of infant carrier: those made from moulded polystyrene with fabric handles and those made from moulded plastic with rigid plastic handle Features vary but may include a head-hugger for smaller babies, one-push handle release system, variable position shoulder and/or crotch straps, harness padding, one-pull harness adjuster, hood and footmuff. A head hugger is essential for a newborn baby and an easy-stow handle and one-pull harness adjuster do make using a carrier significantly easier. Moulded polystyrene seats All prices are approximate. For the best deal visit the babyworld shop or your local stockists Our first-time parent testers were unsure about these lightweight seats because they don’t seem as solid and substantial as the plastic carriers. But testers who had more than one child, and were experienced in the practicalities of using baby seats rated them very highly for their lightness and value for money. Their one negative point is that they are not compatible with travel systems.
For stockists and catalogue tel 0121 706 3222 Testers' comments
Babyworld verdict A light, neat, cosy carrier that's ideal for the early months. We would especially recommend it for those on a tight budget or having a winter baby.
For stockists and catalogue tel 01293 851 896 Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict An extremely lightweight seat yet still solid and stable. Seat shape adjuster ensures a cosy fit but adapts to give more room as the baby grows. Some useful features make this seat excellent value and very user-friendly.
Moulded plastic seats All prices are approximate. For the best deal visit the babyworld shop or your local stockists These have rigid plastic carry handles which vary from model to model. Look for ease of raising and lowering the handle and check the shape of the seat. Very deep seats are not comfortable for newborn babies - they need to lie as flat as possible. A removable wedge or comfort pack may be included to allow for this.
For stockists and catalogue tel 01268 722811 Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict Quite a bulky seat but the extra size makes it more comfortable for a larger child. The unique swivel grip makes it easy to carry despite its weight. Pricey, but with some useful features. This is the one we would recommend if money is no object and the weight doesn’t worry you.
*You can buy this car seat in the babyworld shop! Click here to visit the shop. For other stockists tel 01264 386034. Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict The lightest of the moulded plastic styles we tested, so a good buy if weight is a concern. It is solid, well designed, well finished and easy to us, but bigger babies may feel cramped in it. Pricey, as all accessories cost extra.
Stockists and catalogue tel 01228 535544 Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict User-friendly, trouble-free seat which will see your baby through to the upper weight limit for a very good price. A newborn baby, however, looks a little lost in the seat - it needs the head hugger and could really do with some kind of wedge or support to make it shallower for a newborn.
For stockists and catalogue tel 01484 438226 Testers’ comments Babyworld verdict A neat, versatile seat which functions well. Only suitable to 10kgs but shaped well for the early months, well padded and useful sun canopy.
For stockists and catalogue tel 0800 7317689 Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict A good quality, well-made seat but expensive compared to the others. It has some good features that work well but it doesn’t seem significantly superior to justify the extra cost. Worth considering if you are going for the full travel system.
For stockists and catalogue tel 01923 210210 Testers’ comments
Babyworld verdict Solid and functional value-for-money seat. Carry handle release mechanism is not the easiest around. Sides are not as high as on some others which makes the seat feel less snug for a newborn but more roomy for an older baby. There’s plenty of leg room but this does make the seat tricky to fit in some cars.
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Amazingly lightweight 
Fitting is straightforward if a little fiddly and
the seat sits solidly in position 
There is
no rocking option 
