First review of the Maxi-Cosi Jade lie-flat car seat/carrycot

Called the Jade, this ground-breaking car seat has the comfort of a lie-flat carrycot and the safety of a certified car seat, according to Maxi-Cosi, and has gone on sale in April 2019.

• You can buy the Jade from Mothercare, Natural Baby Shower and BabyPlanet

How does it work?

The Jade slides on to the Maxi-Cosi 3wayFix base car seat base that allows for side installation with an ISOFIX system.

The car seat is positioned in the car facing sideways across the back seat, with your baby's head nearest the middle of the car. By being closest to the middle, this gives greater protection against side-impact crashes. The downside is that it takes up more space on your back seat than a normal rear-facing infant car seat.

The carrycot can also be used as part of a travel system on the Maxi-Cosi Lila.

Why are lie-flat car seats important?

In normal car seats, babies sit in a fairly upright position. Therefore, it's recommended that babies stay in them for no longer than two hours at a time as their breathing may be compromised. This 2-hour rule includes babies seated in car seats on their prams, ie, when using the pram as a travel system.

Historically a more upright position has been safer for a baby when travelling in a car in the event of an impact. However, Maxi-Cosi has developed Jade to meet the latest safety regulations in its lie-flat position. A lie-flat car seat has advantages if you are doing a lot of journeys over two hours with your baby or if you have a premature baby or small newborn, as this avoids the risks of scrunched up positions particularly when babies fall asleep in upright car seats. In these positions, airflow can be restricted.

Some seats can lie flat while in the car and when on the frame of a buggy, while some can only be in the flat position when attached to a pushchair, but the Jade is the first of its kind to be tested to the newer car seat laws.

What age is the Maxi-Cosi Jade suitable for?

The sideward-facing Maxi-Cosi Jade is suitable for babies from birth to 9kg (around 6 months). This means you’ll have to switch to a Group 0+ or Group 0+/1 seat when your baby reaches 6 months, so it's not a cheap option.

How much does it cost?

The Jade costs £199 for the seat and works with the Maxi-Cosi 3WayFix Base, which costs an additional £199. The 3WayFix Base also works with the Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus and the Pearl Pro i-Size. The Jade will come in the following colours:

• Nomad Black
• Nomad Grey
• Nomad Sand
• Nomad Blue
• Nomad Red
• Sparkling Grey
• Sparkling Blue

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