Car seats - all you need to know
While driving with your child, you will need a car seat. Here’s all the information you need, from car seat safety laws, car seat best buys and why you shouldn’t go secondhand
Posted: 29/07/2011 15:38:27
by Joanna Harvey
Buyers guide to car seats
When buying a car seat, there will be a few new words and safety expectations you’ll find yourself coming across, which can be confusing. Our buyers guides will help you make sense of the different groups, explain the ISOFIX fastening system and keep you updated on the latest laws.
What different types are there?
There are so many different picks of seats, ranging from when your baby is a newborn right up until he reaches the grand-old age of 12! From Group 0, Group 0+, Group 1, Group 1/2, Group 1/2/3, or Group 2/3. Here are the ins and outs of the different types, giving you more understanding...
Laws and safety standards
We explain the UK’s safety standards and laws so that you can make sure you buy the right seat for your child, fit it correctly and understand the exceptions of travelling without having your child sitting in a car seat.
What is ISOFIX?
You might have come across the term ISOFIX while on the browse for your child’s perfect seat, and wondered what it actually stands for. We explain what it is, how it works and the different types of ISOFIX systems there are.
Installing correctly
It’s important to make sure that you know how to fit and whether your baby’s seat is fitted correctly – especially for their safety while travelling. You can use the cars own seatbelt, an in-car base or the more popular choice of the ISOFIX system. Here we explain how to install your car seat using all three options.
Understanding rear facing car seats
A rear facing car seat must be used for your newborn baby until they weight at least 9kg. These offer greater protection to your baby should you be involved in a head-on crash, but what are the other pros and are there any cons to having a rear facing one for your child?
10 of the best – from birth
You can’t take your newborn home from hospital if you haven’t got a car seat, so this will be one of your most important baby buys. Here we give our guide to the top 10 seats especially picked for use from birth.
10 of the best – from 9 months
As your baby grows and puts on weight, you can start using different types of car seat – from Group 1, Group 1/2 or Group 1/2/3. Here’s our pick of the best, suitable for use from 9 months.
10 of the best – from 4 years
When your child weighs at least 15kg (from the age of approx 4 years) they can start to use a Group 2/3 car seat, which can last right up until he is 11 or 12 years old. There are lots of choices out there, so here’s our top 10 of the best.
Celebrity kids and their seats
What car seat belongs to Kai Rooney? And why did Britney choose a Britax for her son? We take a look at the popular choices of celebrities, where our reviews give you an insight into why they might’ve chosen that particular seat for their offspring!
Buyers guide to travel systems
Many mums find that investing in a travel system instead of just a standard car seat comes in handy, especially when on the move! Here, our guide explains how travel systems differ and which are the best pick of the crop.
Attaching to a buggy
If you want to turn your car seat into a handy travel system, sometimes you’ll find that you’ll have to buy some extras. Find out what you’ll need to attach your car seat to your buggy and the easiest ways to do so.
Don’t buy secondhand!
There are many baby products where you are advised to buy brand new and NOT secondhand – and car seats are one of them. We explain why and let you know the possible dangers of purchasing secondhand...
 car seat, car seat safety, car seat laws, top 10 car seats, best car seats, celebrity car seats, baby, newborn, toddler, child, infant, secondhand car seat, ISOFIX, installing a car seat, group 0, Group 0+, Group 1, Group 1/2, Group 1/2/3, Group 2/3, travel systems, rear facing car seat
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