How to choose a child car seat
1. Weight groups
It is necessary to begin the search for the optimal model by determining a suitable group, and for this you need to know the age, weight and height of the child:
0+ (up to 13 kg)
Car seat for the smallest - newborn babies weighing up to 13 kg (up to approximately 12 - 15 months). It is installed exclusively against the direction of movement, since the baby’s spine is not yet strong enough, and a blow or sudden braking will lead to jerking of the head and excessive stress on the neck and back. The back and seat ensure the correct positioning of the baby in a reclining position, internal straps guarantee reliable fixation, and the semicircular base allows you to rock the baby, like in a cradle. Often, car seats in this group are equipped with a soft insert that can be removed and washed, a carrying handle and a protective sun canopy. Thanks to the support of the spine and correct positioning, a newborn can travel in such a car seat for a long time.
0+/1 (0 – 18 kg)
A multi-group car seat is a universal option for children's from the first days of life until approximately 4 years of age (or, more precisely, up to 18 kg). It differs from group 1 by the presence of a special insert for infants, which smoothes the angle of the seat and distributes the load on the child’s spine, avoiding pressure on the tailbone. Initially, these seats are installed rear-facing, and as the passenger gets older, they can be rotated in the direction of travel. More advanced models have the ability to rotate 360 degrees - that is, you can rotate the seat in any direction depending on the circumstances without moving the chair itself. The advantage of such devices is a wider range of use and, accordingly, saving money that could have been spent on purchasing different car seats.
0+/1/2 (0 – 25 kg)
An even more universal group that combines the capabilities of types 0+, 1 and 2 and is intended for children's from birth to primary school age (up to approximately 7 years or up to 25 kg). These car seats also have an insert to properly support the newborn’s spine and are installed first in the rear facing direction, and then in the opposite direction.
0+/1/2/3 (0 – 36 kg)
The most versatile combined group will serve you from the first days of your baby’s life until the age of 12, that is, all the time when there is a need for a special support device for a small passenger. All-in-one options have flexible backrest and headrest angle adjustment options to ensure a comfortable environment for both toddlers and older children's. Such chairs are quite bulky and heavy, but they allow you to save a lot and not have to worry about purchasing the model of the required group in a timely manner.
{!!! block="carousel" title="Popular children's's car seats of group 0+/1/2/3 (0 - 36 kg)" IDKatalog="339" IDPreset="45588" sort="popular" limit="20" !!! }1 (9 – 18 kg)
Car seats designed for children's aged from 9 months to 4 years, height from 80 to 105 cm and weight from 9 to 18 kg. Simply put, you can switch to such models when the child confidently holds his back and is already sitting. As a rule, the backrest here is adjustable in several positions for comfortable sleep and wakefulness, but it does not go down to a completely lying position - this is unsafe while driving. In addition, such car seats can be installed in the direction of travel or against it.
1/2 (9 – 25 kg)
A multi-group that combines the capabilities of types 1 and 2 and is intended for children's aged from 9 months to 6 - 7 years or weighing from 9 to 25 kg.
1/2/3 (9 – 36 kg)
Universal models suitable for the parameters of groups 1, 2 and 3. They are very popular as they are intended for children's from 9 months to 11 - 12 years (or weighing from 9 to 36 kg). Such car seats have their own seat belts, which can be unfastened as the passenger gets older, and allow you to adjust the backrest and headrest to create comfortable conditions for the baby and older child.
2/3 (15 – 36 kg)
Car seats for children's aged 3 to 12 years, which do not have their own seat belts and have a wide range of headrest adjustment. The child is secured with a standard seat belt, and the seats themselves are installed only in the direction of travel of the car.
3 (22 – 36 kg, booster)
In most cases, this is not a full-fledged chair, but a cushion seat that does not have a back or side protection, with a hard base and armrests. Although there are also boosters with a low back. These are devices for children's from 6 to 12 years old, the main task of which is to lift the passenger and thus ensure the correct placement of the standard seat belt (through the middle of the shoulder and chest, and not along the neck). At the same time, boosters do not protect against side impacts.
For ease of perception, we have combined all the data on weight groups into a table:
| Weight group | Weight | Height | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main groups | 0+ | 0-13 kg | 40-85 cm | from birth to 15 months |
| 1 | 9-18 kg | 80-105 cm | from 9 months to 4 years | |
| 2 | 15-25 kg | 100-135 cm | from 3 to 7 years | |
| 3 | 22-36 kg | 125-150 cm | from 6 to 12 years | |
| Combined groups | 0+/1 | 0-18 kg | 40-105 cm | from birth to 4 years |
| 0+/1/2 | 0-25 kg | 40-135 cm | from birth to 7 years | |
| 0+/1/2/3 | 0-36 kg | 40-150 cm | from birth to 12 years | |
| 1/2 | 9-25 kg | 80-135 cm | from 9 months to 7 years | |
| 1/2/3 | 9-36 kg | 80-150 cm | from 9 months to 12 years | |
| 2/3 | 15-36 kg | 100-150 cm | from 3 to 12 years | |
2. Types of fastenings
A correctly selected child car seat is not the key to success, because safety also depends on the fastenings and correct installation. There are three main types of car seat anchors.
Standard seat belts
The simplest and most universal method, as it is available in any modern car. In car seats for small children's (up to 4 years old), additional fastenings are not needed, since the device itself is secured with a belt, and the baby is secured with separate three- or five-point belts that the seat is equipped with. Models for older children's, including boosters, remain in place under the weight of the passenger, and the child himself is fastened with a seat belt.
ISOFIX
A system proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1990 to make the installation of child car seats as secure, simple and quick as possible. To do this, both the car seat and the car must have special brackets - a pair of built-in metal locks that snap together. This system is considered the most reliable mount and minimizes the possibility of incorrect installation. Moreover, many models are equipped with an indication - markings that change color if the car seat is installed correctly.
ISOFIX fasteners are standard equipment on many modern cars, especially in Europe. Typically, the locations of fasteners in a car are indicated by plastic guides, a flag with a corresponding inscription, or a plastic icon. Sometimes the mount is hidden under the casing. In most cases, locks are available on the two outer rear seats, although there are cars with an ISOFIX system in the front or all passenger seats. In addition, there are car seats that are secured only using a car belt, others that combine it with ISOFIX, and others that only use ISOFIX locks. Some models are equipped with a special ISOFIX base, on which the chair itself is installed.
It is important to emphasize that the system can withstand loads of up to 18 kg. Therefore, car seats for older children's and boosters combine ISOFIX and mount with a standard seat belt.
Latch
An analogue of ISOFIX, special fastenings that are mainly found in American car brands and have been mandatory in the States since 2002. They also provide special locks that secure the car seat in the lower and upper parts.
Top Tether
Another bracket (in addition to ISOFIX or Latch), which can be located behind the headrest on the rear parcel shelf of the car, in the backs of the rear seats, in the trunk floor or on the ceiling (depending on the make of the car).
Foot support on the floor
A special mount in the form of a strong “leg”, which is built into the base of the car seat or a special base and rests on the floor of the car.
The main task of the anchor belt and the floor support leg is to increase the reliability of mount, reduce the load on the main elements and reduce the risk of the car seat “nodding” in the event of sudden braking or a traffic accident.
3. Materials
Typically, the car seat frame is made of plastic, which must be durable and withstand impacts. Recycled plastic can crack and break, so it's best to choose virgin material. For the comfort and convenience of the child, all models are equipped with a cover made of soft, body-friendly materials. It is preferable that the upholstery be made from natural fabrics, although synthetic ones are more wear-resistant. Due to this, many manufacturers combine these materials. It is important that the cover is removable - this way it can be easily cleaned of dirt, washed in a washing machine, or even replaced. It is welcome to include replaceable summer covers, special anti-mud aprons on the back of the front seat and mats under the car seat.
4. Design and ergonomics
The equipment and design of the car seat affects not only the safety, but also the comfort of the little passenger. And if the child is uncomfortable, especially during long trips in the car, hysterics, crying, whims and attempts to get out are inevitable. And this significantly distracts and reduces the driver’s concentration, which is fraught with the risk of an accident.
The design features of a car seat primarily depend on the weight group. So, for the little ones it is desirable:
Seat belts( three-point or five-point) are a prerequisite for models of initial groups, since it is the internal belts of the car seat that securely fix and hold the baby, which a standard belt cannot do (it is responsible for securing the car seat itself). Of course, five-point belts are more reliable than three-point ones, since they pass not only over the shoulders and between the legs, but also along the waist. Be sure to pay attention to the pads - they should be soft and not rub the baby’s delicate skin.
Anatomical pillow is a special lining that additionally ensures the correct position of the baby’s back, neck and head. In chairs for older children's, such a pillow is also found, but it is often made in the form of a headrest to fix only the head.
Carrying handle - allows you to use the car seat as a carrycot. This is very convenient - you can carry a sleeping baby without disturbing his sleep. Handles are a mandatory element of group 0+ car seat carriers.
Sun canopy - protection from ultraviolet radiation and blinding sun is important for a small child, as well as from rain, wind and snow if the car seat is used as a carrier.
A foot cover is a cover that covers the lower part of the child’s body. Relevant in cold and windy weather, as it insulates and protects the passenger from precipitation (again, if you decide to take your baby outside).
If we talk in general about all groups, the following functions will be useful:
Adjusting the backrest angle is a function intended for older children's, since car seats for infants generally only have a reclining position. Adjusting the backrest allows the child to choose the most comfortable position, which is especially important during long trips - he can ride while sitting or take a nap with the backrest lowered.
Side protection - additional elements on the side that will protect the child and soften the blow in the event of an accident.
Headrest height adjustment - usually used in multi-group seats (mixed age groups), as it makes it possible to raise the headrest as the passenger grows.
Backrest width adjustment is a similar function that allows you to select the optimal backrest width taking into account the age, weight and build of the child.
Adjusting the height of the belts is also necessary when transporting children's of different heights or as one passenger grows older.
Swivel system - implies the presence of a fixed base, which is attached to the seat, and a chair that can be rotated in any direction. This makes getting on and off much easier, and also allows you to conveniently feed your baby on the go. Such a system is not found in 0+ car seats (unless they are multigroup), since infants, as we mentioned above, can only be transported in a rear-facing position.
A removable backrest increases the versatility of the car seat, as it makes it possible to eventually turn it into a booster seat for an adult child.
A cup holder is an optional but useful addition for safely holding a bottle of drink or formula without the risk of spilling the upholstery (although with active children's this is still a risk).
In addition, the car seat should be comfortable for parents. Pay attention to the size and weight so that the device does not take up almost all the free space in the cabin and fits in the trunk. And considering that the trip does not always involve both parents, it should be easy for mom to lift the car seat. Make sure that the process of securing and boarding a passenger does not take much time and does not cause unnecessary hassle. In particular, indicators of correct installation will help with this.
5. Child safety (standards and crash tests)
Often, “safety” is not just a word used by manufacturers for marketing, but a proven statement. For this purpose, there are special organizations that check the reliability of the car seat. Therefore, when purchasing, do not rely only on the assurances of the sellers and your own knowledge, but pay attention to the presence of certifications - this is direct evidence that the car seat will really protect the baby.
ECE R44 Universal
European safety standard for child car seats, approved in 1982. Since then, four editions of ECE R44 have already been released: the most current ECE R44.04 standard was adopted in 2009, but models corresponding to earlier versions can also be used.
The car seat safety certificate according to the ECE R44/04 standard includes:
- complete set of the chair (diagonal strap lock, belt adjustment mechanism, detailed instructions);
- side impact protection;
- comfortable position of the child;
- reliability of all parts and high quality materials;
- tips for installing the chair on its body.
i-Size
In 2013, a committee of experts under the auspices of the United Nations developed a new standard called i-Size. It consists of three parts:
- ECE R129 standard for automobile restraint devices (in other words, car seats);
- ECE R16 standard, which regulates the requirements for the seat belt system in a car and the requirements for ISOFIX;
- ECE R14 standard, which regulates the requirements for vehicle anchorage and flooring.
i-Size sets more stringent requirements:
- Installation of a rear-facing seat for children's up to 15 months (not up to 9 months);
- Mandatory side impact protection and tests (for passengers up to 105 cm tall);
- Additional crash tests: i-Size certified seats undergo more stringent crash tests, including side impact tests. The tests use dummies that more closely simulate the anatomy and behavior of a child's body in a crash;
- Mandatory use of the ISOFIX system;
- Classification based on height, not weight, of the child.
Certified chairs have special orange labels that contain the following information:
- safety standard number;
- weight (or weight and height) of the passenger;
- certification country code (“E” with a number in a circle);
- crash test number.
For now, both standards operate in parallel, but over time, ECE 129 i-Size may become the only one. These standards are relevant for European countries.
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
The USA has its own safety standard - NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is less demanding, since in the States they use universal car seats suitable for children's of all ages. And the tests themselves are carried out by manufacturers at special testing sites, so their reliability is questionable. European standards are more stringent, so not all US-origin systems are approved for sale in the EU.
ANWB, Stiftung Warentest, ADAC
If you want a more meticulous protection check, there are independent expert communities and testers: ANWB, Stiftung Warentest, ADAC. The most popular are crash tests by the independent public organization of German motorists ADAC (the largest in Europe) - they are considered the most objective and strict. ADAC specialists test car seats for a frontal impact at a speed of 64 km/h, a side impact at a speed of 50 km/h and a rear impact, which is not in the standard requirements. The rating from “poor” to “excellent” is given for a specific model, and not for the manufacturer as a whole. When forming the final assessment, the following parameters are taken into account: safety, operation, ergonomics, harmful substances and care. Thus, if a car seat receives a high score from ADAC, this is truly a guarantee of safety and reliability. By the way, on our website there is a special filter based on the results of ADAC crash tests.
6. Installation location
The central rear seat is considered the safest - there is a good view, and in the event of a collision, the child has a sufficient distance to the point of impact. But these seats are often small and do not have seat belts or anchors. Then experts recommend placing the car seat behind the passenger seat - this way the child is placed on the side of the sidewalk, and not the roadway. Installation options behind the driver's seat or in front (especially if it is a car seat with an infant who needs supervision) are also popular.
2 – other recommended places for installing a child car seat.
3 – possible installation location in the absence or deactivation of the airbag.
7. Conclusion
Today there is a large selection of manufacturers and various models of car seats on the market, but you should not focus on the fame of the company and its “big” name. There are many nuances that need to be considered when purchasing, and we hope that our article will help you make the right choice. The most important thing is to put first not the budget, but the safety and comfort of the child : consider compliance with the weight group, types of fastenings, quality of materials, crash test results and equipment.
We wish you comfortable and safe travels together!
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