How to choose the best child seat for the car
Common sense tells you that the best child seat is one that adapts perfectly to the appearance of your child and is easy to install and use. However, there are regulations that govern the use of child car seats and that will help you determine the most appropriate for your child.
The European regulations for children car seats
Currently, two different regulations coexist to approve baby seats, which are also guided by disparate criteria.
- i-Size (R129): This regulation has been the last to be approved and uses the child's height to determine the type of chair to use.
- ECE R44 / 04: This regulation was approved in the 80s and is phasing out since September 2023 from new production. It uses the weight of the child to divide the models of child seats for the car.
Type of seats per age category
If you want to choose the chair that best suits your child and comply with current regulations, the most appropriate is to be guided by both the height and weight criteria. For this reason, many manufacturers include both factors in their technical specifications.
- Baby seats (Group 0+) Group 0+ chairs are designed for babies up to 13 kilos and whose height is between 40 and 75 cm approximately. As a rule, these are children up to 1 year of age.
- Chairs for young children (Group 1): These chairs can start to be used with children from 9 kg up to 18 kg, as long as their height is between 70 and 105 cm. Usually, these are children between 9 months and 4 years approximately.
- Chairs for older children (Group 2/3): Older children are those who weigh between 15 and 36 kg and have a height of between 100 and 150 cm. Usually these are children between the ages of 3 and a half and 12 years.
How is a child seat installed?
There are two ways to attach and secure a child car seat. On the one hand, the vehicle's own seat belt can be used. On the other hand, the ISOFIX anchorage system is available.
The first modality requires parents to ensure that the chair is perfectly secured and remains firm on the seat. For their part, ISOFIX anchors are the safest and fastest way to install a child car seat.
When choosing a child seat for the car, keep in mind both alternatives and their respective ease of use and installation.
How to decide when to change the model of child seat for the car?
According to the latest regulation, the new child seats must allow the baby to travel back to the direction of the vehicle, at least up to 15 months. That is why, the most recommended is that you use a chair that allows you to prolong its use in these conditions until your child reaches that age.
However, you should never force the use of a child seat for babies, so that your child does not travel comfortably, or the cabin no longer adapts to its size. It is recommended that you follow the guidelines that we have previously provided to determine the most appropriate time to change the model used.
**This implies that: **
- Switch from Group 0+ to Group 1 the moment your baby's feet or head no longer fit properly and protrude from the chair.
- Change from Group 1 to Group 2/3 when the child's shoulders are 2 cm higher than the height of the upper slots corresponding to the harnesses available in the chair itself.
- Remove the child seat when your child has reached a height of between 1.35 and 1.50 meters. From then on, the use of a child seat for the car is no longer mandatory. Also, chances are you'll travel more comfortably without the use of any supplemental devices.
We hope that these simple criteria and tips will help you choose the best child seat for your car.
Have a safe trip!