...is a personal choice but it is not always as simple as it sounds. There are a lot of different options to pick between and it’s worth taking some time to make sure you get the right one to suit you and your needs. There are many factors to take into consideration and making the right choice will benefit both you and your child.

Of all the items that you will buy for your baby or young child, a safe car seat is probably the most important. Before you purchase your car seat for your child think about how you will use it, will you be constantly lifting it in and out of the car? If so, you may want to think about a lightweight one, you should also choose a seat that is suitable for your child's weight and height. Children need to use child seats and boosters to be safe. Babies should be in a rearward-facing baby seat and not in a forward-facing seat until they weigh at least 9 kgs and can sit up unaided. If you do a lot of travelling you may want to think about a seat that reclines so your child can Infant Car Seat sleep and be more comfortable. Fitting the seat and strapping your child in correctly are just as important as the seat itself.

Points to consider:

Is the infant or baby car seat too heavy for you to lift?

If it is a portable baby carrier, is its carry handle and grip position comfortable?

Is it light enough for your needs?

Is it comfortable for baby?

Is it sturdy enough for baby and your needs?

Do you need an all in one system pram/pushchair/ carry cot etc?

Is it light enough to transport up and down stairs if required?

Has it got side protection?

Is it easy to maintain are the seat and cover fabrics washable?

Types of Child Car Seat

Group 0+: Rearward facing baby seat for babies up to 13kg (29lbs) aged from birth to around 12-15 months old:

Only move them to a forward-facing seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the baby car seat, or the top of their head is above the top of the seat, it is best to keep your baby in a rearward-facing seat for as long as possible.

The seat can be used in the front or rear of the car, but, it is safer to put them in the rear. Do Not put them in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions properly for fitting the car seat. The child seat should rest firmly on the car seat and you should hardly be able to move it either forward or sideward, it should be firmly held.

Group 1 - Children between 9 and 18kg (20-40lbs) from around nine months to four years old:

Your baby should change to a forward-facing seat. These can be used in the front or rear of the car but are safer in the rear. Do Not put them in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag. When fitting a forward-facing child seat in the front of the car make sure the car seat is as far back as it will go, each time you take the car seat out of the car make sure you fit it back correctly every time, even if it stays in the car all the time check it regularly to make sure it is still safe and secure.

Group 2 - Children from 15kg (33lbs), or about four years old:

A booster seat, using a full adult seat belt can be introduced. Only move your child to a booster seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the child seat, or the top of their head is higher than the top of the seat. Some Booster seats are designed to be converted into a booster cushion by detaching the back rest. When using a booster cushion/seat the adult seat belt should rest on the child’s shoulder not neck. Never tuck the seatbelt under your Childs arm.

Group 3 - The Booster cushion is for children weighing from 22 to 36 kgs (48-79lbs) roughly from age 6 to 11 years old:

The adult seat belt goes around the child and the seat so it is important that the seat belt is adjusted and worn correctly i.e. the strap should rest on over the shoulder and not across the neck, and the belt should be worn as tightly as possible.

ISOFIX Restraints

ISOFIX is a system that creates a rigid link between the child seat and the car. The benefit of this is that it removes the risk of slack installation as well as gaining extra solidity, which is one of the main misuses when installed with an adult seat belt. It's easier and quicker to install with its rigid linking system. Does your car have ISOFIX connectors? On the back seat, there should be two metal loops between where the back seat cushion joins the bottom cushion, that indicates the two main ISOFIX connection points.

Child Car Seat Safety Advice

So when you buy your child car seat baby, just remember to:

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on fitting

Buy the correct one for the age and weight of your child

Make sure the seat is firmly in place before each journey

Do not place car seat in front passenger seat if there is an airbag fitted.

Second-hand child car seats:

Child Car Seat - The law in the UK says every child must travel in an appropriate restraint until they are 135cm in height or 12 years of age. Choosing a suitable child car seat is an important task, but with a little research you can choose an attractive, safe, suitable car seat - and at the best price. You will likely start with the first seat for your baby (a Group 0+ car seat) known as an infant car seat, which will be rear-facing. As your child grows, a forward-facing or front-facing car seat will be required. Beyond this a booster seat or possibly a high-back booster seat will be needed. Some pushchairs come with baby car seats that can be attached. We help you unravel some of the terminology, research the baby seat market, choose an appropiate child car seat and source a competitive price from a recommended baby goods supplier.
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