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How
to choose a car seat
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Group 1 From 9kg to 18kg or 25kg (approximately 4-6 years) depending on the make
In a rearward facing car seat the child faces backwards only, with the car seat usually fitted to the back seat. The child is restrained in the seat by an integral safety harness, with the seat being held in place by the adult car seat belt, or by ISOFIX fittings which are offered by some rear facing car seats. As a Group 1 car seat, most rearward facing baby car seats have a good recline facility.
As advised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, babies and young children should always be in a rearward facing car seat as it supports the neck and spine in an impact and is by far the safest way to travel. Indeed, it is a legal requirement in Scandinavia to have all children up to the age of 4 rearward facing in cars. The UK is therefore a considerable way behind other countries in terms of child safety requirements.
The Recaro Polaric Group 1 Rear Facing car seat offers maximum safety for children between 9-18kg. The unique Recaro Polaric fixing system enables firm and safe installation on the back seat of a vehicle. It uses ISOFIX points, a foot prop, back brace and a bottom tether, allowing the car seat to be firmly attached to the car.
Safety: It is illegal to use a rear facing child car seat in the front of a vehicle protected by a frontal airbag, unless it has been manually or electronically de-activated, in which case your car insurance may be invalidated.
Click here view the Recaro Polaric Group 1 Rear Facing car seat in the Babyworld shop
From 9kg to 18kg or 25kg (approximately 4-6 years) depending on the make
When reaching an absolute minimum of 20lbs (9kg) and sitting unaided, a toddler can go into a forward facing car seat. The child faces forwards only, and the car seat is normally used on the back seat, yet can be used legally in the front seat providing there is no airbag fitted.
An integral harness secures the child, and the car seat is held in place by the adult car seat belt. Both the Britax Evolva car seat and the Recaro Young Sport car seat are suitable for groups 1, 2 and 3, making them excellent value for money. The integral harness is removed when outgrown, continuing the use of the car seat, with the adult seat belt being then used to secure both child and car seat. One-way lightweight polystyrene seats are also available, in which both the seat and child are held in place by the car's diagonal seat belt. Whilst they are designed for children of approximately 9 months and upwards, they are quite upright and do not recline, meaning that they are better suited for older children from around the age of two through to six years.
Children aged one and over (or over 20lbs) are stronger, and therefore a front facing car seat is likely to be more appropriate. However, as advised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Government Road Safety Team, the safest way for children to travel in the car is in a rear facing car seat, with this position minimising the impact on a child should a crash occur.
Further advice from the Road Safety Team for forward facing car seats is:
Click here to find forward facing car seats in the Babyworld shop
From 9kg to 36kg approximately 9 months to 12 years)
Two-part car seats were designed to be used as a traditional forward facing car seat up to the weight of 25kg, with the back then being removed to form a booster seat. However, very few manufacturers now actually produce two-part car seats.
From 15kg to 36kg (approximately 4 years to 12 years)
With multi group car seats the width and height are easily adjustable to fit your growing child. On many models as the backrest is adjusted to size the harness moves into the correct position. Multi group car seats can be secured with the cars own seat belt, or with ISOFIX fittings, depending on the model. Group 123 car seats offer superb value for money as they cover a wide age range. As a group 1 car seat there can sometimes be an issue with the fitting. Babyworld recommends that you get any car seat fit checked before you purchase.
Click here to view our range of multi group car seats in the Babyworld shop
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