Car Seat Buying Guide
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When it comes to buying your little one's car seat, there can be a lot of technical information and jargon to understand. Here, we breakdown the different types of car seats, how to fit them and important dos and don'ts of car travel with your baby, all in one easy guide.
By law, children must use a car seat until they're 12 years old or 150cm tall, whichever comes first.
It’s recommended that a child uses a rear-facing car seat until they’re at least 15 months old, according to Regulation R129. This is because a rear-facing car seat provides additional protection.
There are different stages of car seats, each suited to a different stage in your child’s development. Which stage car seat you choose should be determined by your child’s height, not by their age. That’s because children develop at different rates.
There are 4 main categories of car seats. Each car seat is designed for a specific stage of development to keep your little one as safe as possible.
Some car seats cover more than one of these categories by being adjustable. These are sometimes called ‘combination’ seats or ‘multigroup’ seats.
From birth’ car seats, also known as ‘infant carriers.’ These are suitable from newborn until baby is 87cm tall (usually around 15 months old). These are rear-facing – the safest way for babies to travel.Many models can be used with ISOFIX fittings (see Installing a car seat). If they aren’t used with ISOFIX they need to be strapped with a seatbelt.They feature a carry handle, allowing you to transport a sleeping baby from the car. They are often compatible with first-stage pushchairs (see ‘Buying Guide first stage pushchairs and Buying guide travel systems’)
Read our buying guide on First Stage car seats
‘Next-stage’ or ‘toddler’ car seats that are suitable from birth until 105cm (around 4 years old)These allow extended rear-facing travel up to 4 years, often with the option to face forward from 15 monthsSome models spin or rotate, making it easy getting the child in and out of the car, as well as turning from rear-facing to forward facingThese adjust easily meaning they can be used across a wide height range, so they’re a great option if you’re looking for a car seat you can use for years to come.
These ‘next stage’ or ‘toddler’ car seats can’t be used from birth. They can be used right through until a child is around 12 years old. Many models have different recline positions. These adapt as your child grows thanks to adjustable features such as harness and headrests. As your child gets bigger these can be converted into a high back booster seat, without an integrated harness. These are ideal for older children.
Read our buying guide on Next Stage Stage car seats
This is approximately age 4 to age 12 years. These are high-back booster seats, without an integrated harness.Feature adjustable headrest and often adjustable width, so you can adjust the car seat as your child grows. Many options have arm rests for comfort and useful cup holders.
Child seats suitable from birth right through to 150cm - around age 12 years.Adapt as your little one grows, so they span different stages of your little one’s developmentA great option if you want to save on upgrading your child’s car seat frequently, without compromising on safety.
The law on car seats is currently based on the R129 regulation, which was introduced in 2013. It was brought in to offer improved protection for younger children and make travel in a vehicle even safer. Under this regulation you choose a car seat based on your child’s height.
The R129 regulation replaces the R44 regulation, with complete effect across the UK from September 2024. According to this older regulation you chose a car seat based on your child’s weight.
Car seats that are made and tested to conform to the R129 regulation are referred to as R129 car seats. From September 2024 all car seats sold in the UK must be R129 car seats.
If you already have an R44 car seat when the R129 regulation replaces the R44 standard fully in September 2024, it doesn’t mean you’re legally obliged to replace it with a new seat straight away. However, when it’s time to buy your next car seat you will need to purchase a R129 car seat. And as R129 seats are the safest type of car seat, you might wish to replace it sooner, for peace of mind
R129 car seats have been tested with side-impact testing, to improve protection of the child’s head and neck. R129 testing makes use of the most high-tech crash test dummies, with more sensors on fragile areas of the body.
In brief, the law on car seats in the UK, according to regulation R129 states that a baby must travel in the rear-facing position up to the minimum recommended age of 15 months. Some R129 car seats can be used rear-facing until a child is 105cm tall, which is around 4 years old.
Remember, the law on car seats can sometimes be confusing to understand, especially when it changes. Our Mamas & Papas store team are expertly trained and IOSH-accredited in car seat safety, so don’t be afraid to ask us for help!
No matter which type of car seat you go for, it’ll need to be securely fastened into a vehicle. Many car seats use a seatbelt to prevent the car seat moving around. As an alternative to this option you can use your car seat together with an ISOFIX base.
To fit your car seat with a seat belt you place the car seat on the seat of your car and then strap the seat belt around (or through) certain points of the car seat, according to your car seat’s individual instructions.
To fit your car seat with ISOFIX, you must first purchase an ISOFIX base, which is often sold separately from a car seat. This ISOFIX base then fixes into your car and stays put. You then click your child’s car seat into and out of the fixed ISOFIX base every time you need to. Alternatively you can leave your car seat clicked in and simply take your baby in and out of the car seat.
What is ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is a market-leading car seat safety system. It helps give you peace of mind when you're driving with a young child, as it helps to ensure your car seat is safely fitted. And because the ISOFIX base is more secure than a seat belt, it ensures your car seat is fixed more securely and therefore more safely too.
How does ISOFIX work?
The rear seats of most new cars have a pair of anchor points. These anchor points connect to an ISOFIX base, creating an extremely strong connection. The child car seat then fastens to the ISOFIX base, so there’s no need to fasten seat belts around it.
Do I need an ISOFIX base?
When choosing a car seat, you want to know your child is well protected and the ISOFIX system comes with a range of benefits. Firstly it decreases the risk of fitting your seat incorrectly, as you might when using a seatbelt. Secondly it creates a really strong rigid connection between the car seat and the vehicle itself, which gives better protection. Thirdly it makes for easier and quicker installation – you simply click your car seat into place. All of these reduce the chance of your child being hurt if you were to have a car accident.
Tip: While an ISOFIX base isn’t a legal requirement, it’s certainly something that we’d recommend to keep your child as protected and safe as possible. Being able to strap your car seat with a seat belt allows you to strap your car seat into different vehicles – say for example, if you take a taxi – but from a safety point of view we’d advise an ISOFIX base in the car you use on a regular basis.
- Always use your car seat according to the instructions
- Always use the correct car seat for your child’s size
- Make sure it’s fitted correctly before every journey, no matter how short the journey
- Replace a car seat if it’s involved in a collision, no matter how minor the accident and whether or not any damage is visible
We know the law on car seats can sometimes be confusing, which is why our store team are expertly trained and IOSH-accredited in car seat safety. So don’t be afraid to ask us for help!