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 Rear-Facing Car Seats

	Maxi-Cosi Cabrio Car Seat Navy Reflection Unique Side Protection System offers excellent side protection, plus in-built seat adjuster to vary the depth of seat to suit your baby's size and weight. Also includes an integrated sun canopy and support pillow for the head and back. Suitable for babies from birth to 15 months (up to 13 kg). (From birth) Currently Unavailable...
	Hauck Lifesaver Plus Car Seat Infinity Red Designed specifically to be used with the Hauck Infinity 3 in 1 pushchair and carrycot, this lightweight but strong seat is suitable up to the weight of 13kg, and includes an ergonomic adjustaable handle, wind and rain hood, seatbelt pads, headrest protector, and central belt adjustment. Currently Unavailable...

Featured Forward-Facing Car Seats

	Maxi-Cosi Priori XP Features an improved Side Protection System for greater protection against an impact to the side of the car, plus adjustable shoulder belts which can easily be altered without removing the seat cover or belts themselves. Currently Unavailable...
	Britax Renaissance Dusk Car Seat Innovative seat with the Adjusta-Fit System and Belt Tensioner, to make the two most important parts of installation easier - belt tension, and harness adjustment. (9kg to 18kg) Currently Unavailable...