Car and Infant Booster Seats Buying Guide
Baby car and infant booster seats
The seats in your car are not designed for little ones, so for your child's safety, you are legally required to have a child car seat for children under 12 years old or 135cm in height from 18 September 2006. It's not safe for them to be secured using just an adult seat belt until they are big enough for it to fit properly.
Many pushchairs come with baby car seats that can be attached. When choosing a travel system or 2-in-1 pushchair, the correct car seat will be the most important aspect to bear in mind.
Choosing a car seat
- The right typeDon't buy a rearward-facing child seat if your car is fitted with an active passenger airbag as it can cause severe injury and is illegal to use.
- The right sizeIt's the weight and height of your child that's important rather than age (which should only be used as a guide). As soon as your baby's weight outgrows the limit for the seat, you mustneed to buy the next model up. A child above or below the specified weight range may prevent it the car seat from protecting them properly in an accident.
- The right fitCheck that the model you buy actually fits your car as not all seats fit all cars. Also make sure there's enough room for it to be adjusted to all the positions you will want to use.
The child seat must fit the child and the cars it will be used in!
What type of car seat?
Choosing the right type of car seat will depend on your child's age or size. Newborn babies will need an infant car seat or combination seat, while an older child will need a booster seat.
Infant car seat
An infant car seat is designed for newborns up to around 15 months (29lbs). Designed as 'rear facing', infant seats face the back of the car. As the primary job of a child car seat is to restrain a child in case of an accident, the 'rear facing' models are designed to spread the crash impact across the baby's strongest part of their body, their back.
Benefits:
- Baby is restrained with a 3 point safety harness
- The seat is secured with the car seat belt
- They are lightweight and portable with a handle for carrying. Transport baby to and from the car with minimal disturbance.
Features to look for:
- Reclining - One of the most important features. Your baby's head and back should be fully supported.
- Head support - Look for a removable soft head pillow which supports and cushions the head.
- Harness - Seats should have either a 3-point or 5-point safety harness. Front adjusting straps are easier to access.
Forward facing car seat
Children over 1 year old or over 20lbs are stronger so a 'front facing' seat is likely to be more appropriate.
Benefits:
- Forward facing
- Child is secured with a 5-point harness
- Seat can be adjusted for comfortable positioning
- Secured in car with adult seat belt
Convertible/combination car seat
Rather than buying two car seats, why not consider a 'convertible' car seat that can be adapted from 'rear facing' to 'front facing' saving you money. They can be used for newborns to approximately 4 years old (40lbs).
Use rearward facing from birth to 22lbs-29lbs (depending on the model), then use forward facing once your baby can sit up unaided from around 9 months old (20-14lbs - depending on the model).
Benefits:
- A cost-effective and versatile option that accommodates from newborn to 4 years old.
- Child is secured by an integral 5-point safety harness
- Seat is secured by a car seat belt
Booster seats
Now that children up to the age of 12 are required to have a car seat, boosters are a more grown up option for the older child.
High back boosters
Designed for children weighing between 9-36kg/20-79lbs, high back boosters are versatile, forward facing seats that convert to a booster seat for an older child. Both seat and child are secured using a lap and diagonal seat belt in the front or back of the car.
Benefits:
- Forward facing
- Secured either by a 5 point safety harness for younger infants or by an adult seatbelt.
- Provides adjustable height so you're child can see out of the window helping to relieve boredom and car sickness.
- Converts to a booster seat for an older child
- Adjustable headrest
- Handy features can include mesh pockets and drinks holders.
High back booster seats
The backless booster seat and your child are secured with an adult lap and diagonal seat belt in the front or back of the car. Models are available for children aged 4-11 years old, weighing 15-36kg (33-80lbs).
Using the car seat safely
Once you've chosen your car seat, here's how to use it safely.
- Install the seat according to the manufacturer's instructions
- Always deactivate the passenger seat airbag when using the front seat
- Always tighten the seatbelt as much as possible to minimise forward and sideways movement.
- Make sure the seat belt buckle is not bent around the seat frame.
- Ensure the car seat is free of anything underneath it.