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Car Seat Buying Guide

Whilst on the road with your little one safety will be your top priority and car seats can be complicated. Read our guide to find out all the information you need so you can make the right choice for your baby’s safety. You can choose between belted or ISOFIX car seats, both safe and simple to use. Keep your budget and lifestyle in mind when car seat shopping!

Maxi-Cosi Cabrio FixBritax Duo Plus Isofix CarseatTeamtex Racer High Back Booster

Checklist

  • Remember, weight not age determines which car seat you need.
  • Never fit a rear facing infant carrier where there is an activated airbag.
  • Make sure that your car seat fits your car, not all car seats fit in all cars. There should never be any extra movement backwards or forwards or sideways.
  • Read all instructions carefully and keep them in case you need them in the future.
  • Always strap your child in securely using the harness, no matter how short the journey.
  • Make sure that you adjust the harness so that only the thickness of two fingers can be inserted between your child’s chest and the harness.
  • The safety harness comfort pads should rest between your child’s collarbone and chest.

Car Seat Groupings

Car seats are split into different groups (0 to 3) depending on the weight of your child. You can purchase a car seat that will combine these groups, adapting as your child grows and saving on cost. Regular weigh-ins will help you to understand correctly which group your child is in and importantly when they are ready to move to the next group.

My Child's Weight and Age Suitable Restraint
Child weighing up to 10kg (22 lbs) roughly from birth to 6-9 months Rearward-facing Baby Seat (Group 0)
Child Weighing up to 13kg (29lbs), roughly from birth to 12-15 months Rearward-facing Baby Seats (Group 0+)
Child weighing 9 - 18 kgs (20 - 40 lbs), roughly from 9 months - 4 years Forward-facing child seat (Group 1)
Child weighing 15 - 25 kgs (33 - 55 lbs), roughly aged from 4 - 6 years Forward-facing child seat or/ booster seat (Group 2)
Child weighing 22 - 36 kgs (48 - 79 lbs), roughly from 6 - 11 years Booster cushion (Group 3)

ISOFIX

The ISOFIX system uses in car fixing points which reduce the amount of movement the car seat can make.If you have an ISOFIX compatible car you can secure your car seat with the anchorage points, reducing the risk of mistake during installation.