Child and Baby Car Seats
Car seats are not only essential for your baby's safety when travelling by car, but are actually required by law. As a new parent or parent-to-be, you've probably had little or no experience of them before, so how do you know what to buy?
A First Seat for Babies
For babies and toddlers under 9kg (approx 20lb) in weight, you should use a rear-facing seat. These are usually fairly lightweight, which is important as you will often want to carry your baby from the car without disturbing him by removing him from the seat.
Rear-facing seats will usually be fairly reclined, allowing your baby to lie in comfort.
Forward Facing
Once your child is heavier than 9kg and can sit unaided, it's time to move up to a forward facing seat. You should also change to one of these seats if your baby's head is above the back of a rear-facing seat when sitting normally.
These seats are much more upright, but many have a reclining mechanism which will help your child sleep during longer journeys.
Most seats of this kind will last at least until your child is 4 or 6 years old, or even in some cases up to 11 years, so it's worth buying a good quality seat that will last.
Car Compatibility
Whatever seat you buy, you need to make sure that it will fit your particular car. While some seats are attached to your car by special fixings (eg Isofix) which can limit which models of car they can be used with, some are 'universal' in that they can attach to any car by its seat belts. Many Isofix seats can also be used with seat belts.
Warning 1: Second Hand Seats
It's generally recommended that you only buy a new car seat. This isn't just a rumour spread by seat manufacturers to increase their business, but a genuine piece of safety advice. A second-hand car seat may have been involved in an accident, and could have weaknesses or defects which may not be visible. However trustworthy the seller seems, there's just no way of knowing.
If you do to buy a second hand seat, or are given one by friends or family, make sure that you can be 100% confident of its history.
Warning 2: Air Bags
Car seats should not be used in front passenger seats where an air bag is fitted, as this can result in suffocation if the air bag is activated.
Featured Baby Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix Infant Carrier, Black Reflection | |
 | This smart black car seat from Maxi-Cosi features deep sides for extra side impact protection, a 5-point adjustable harness, head support, buckle and harness pads so baby is comfortable when strapped in and a sun canopy for bright days. The curved base allows you to gently rock baby in a soothing motion when you arrive at your destination. The car seat can be fitted with a 3-point adult seatbelt or with an EasyFix or Easy Base system which is sold separately. All our car seats and infant carriers comply with current European regulations ECE R44-03 or ECE R44.04. Safety: Under no circumstances should a car seat be used on a passenger seat where there is an airbag. Correct fitting of all car seats and boosters is of paramount importance to make them most effective in the event of an accident. Not all car seats fit all cars and it is important to check for fitting suitability on all cars you intend fitting the seat to, as well as re-checking if you change your car. Always read the instruction booklet which comes with your car seat to achieve a safe and correct fitting, retaining the guide for future reference. We recommend fitting your car seat in advance of first using it. We recommend that babies shouldn`t be left in Group 0/0+ car seats (infant carriers) for prolonged periods. Suitability: Please make sure that you check the car seat you choose is suitable for your car before ordering. For safety reasons, we cannot accept returns of car seats when the packaging has been opened, unless faulty. Some of our shops offer a car seat fit test, where a Nursery advisor will test the display model in your car to check that it will fit properly. Please contact your local shop to see if this service is available. Alternatively, please contact the car seat manufacturer who will be able to advise whether their model will be suitable for your car. Find your nearest department store Car seat groups: Car seats are categorised into the following groups and it is imperative that a category is chosen so the child`s weight falls within the range indicated: Group Child's weight approx. age of child 0 birth up to 10kg/22lb birth up to 6-9 months 0+ birth up to 13kg/29lb birth up to 12-15 months 0+ & 1 birth up to 18kg/40lb birth to up to about 4 years 1 9-18kg/20-40lb about 9 months to 4 years 1 & 2 9-25kg/20-55lb about 9 months to 6 years 2 15-25kg/33-55lb about 4 to 6 years 1, 2, 3 9-36kg/20-79lb about 9 months to 12 years 2 & 3 15-36kg/48-79lb about 4 -12 years Please note: some car seats will be approved in two or more groups. Please be aware that for safety reasons, we cannot refund or exchange children’s car seats unless they are faulty. This does not affect your statutory rights. |
£99.95 from John Lewis - More Info >>> | |
Featured Child Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix Infant Carrier, Black Reflection | |
| This smart black car seat from Maxi-Cosi features deep sides for extra side impact protection, a 5-point adjustable harness, head support, buckle and harness pads so baby is comfortable when strapped in and a sun canopy for bright days. The curved base allows you to gently rock baby in a soothing motion when you arrive at your destination. The car seat can be fitted with a 3-point adult seatbelt or with an EasyFix or Easy Base system which is sold separately. All our car seats and infant carriers comply with current European regulations ECE R44-03 or ECE R44.04. Safety: Under no circumstances should a car seat be used on a passenger seat where there is an airbag. Correct fitting of all car seats and boosters is of paramount importance to make them most effective in the event of an accident. Not all car seats fit all cars and it is important to check for fitting suitability on all cars you intend fitting the seat to, as well as re-checking if you change your car. Always read the instruction booklet which comes with your car seat to achieve a safe and correct fitting, retaining the guide for future reference. We recommend fitting your car seat in advance of first using it. We recommend that babies shouldn`t be left in Group 0/0+ car seats (infant carriers) for prolonged periods. Suitability: Please make sure that you check the car seat you choose is suitable for your car before ordering. For safety reasons, we cannot accept returns of car seats when the packaging has been opened, unless faulty. Some of our shops offer a car seat fit test, where a Nursery advisor will test the display model in your car to check that it will fit properly. Please contact your local shop to see if this service is available. Alternatively, please contact the car seat manufacturer who will be able to advise whether their model will be suitable for your car. Find your nearest department store Car seat groups: Car seats are categorised into the following groups and it is imperative that a category is chosen so the child`s weight falls within the range indicated: Group Child's weight approx. age of child 0 birth up to 10kg/22lb birth up to 6-9 months 0+ birth up to 13kg/29lb birth up to 12-15 months 0+ & 1 birth up to 18kg/40lb birth to up to about 4 years 1 9-18kg/20-40lb about 9 months to 4 years 1 & 2 9-25kg/20-55lb about 9 months to 6 years 2 15-25kg/33-55lb about 4 to 6 years 1, 2, 3 9-36kg/20-79lb about 9 months to 12 years 2 & 3 15-36kg/48-79lb about 4 -12 years Please note: some car seats will be approved in two or more groups. Please be aware that for safety reasons, we cannot refund or exchange children’s car seats unless they are faulty. This does not affect your statutory rights. |
£99.95 from John Lewis - More Info >>> | |
