subject: Choosing The Right Child Seat For Safe And Comfy Journeys [print this page] Buying a child car seat is a big decision for parents, as it's a significant investment that will keep your child safe and protected on your family journeys. For this reason it's important to get it right first time when buying a child seat, taking a number of important factors to into consideration along the way.
The first thing you need to think about is the size and weight of your child, is this will be critical to deciding which seat is best for them. Manufacturers have split child seats into different groups according to your child's weight to help you choose. Some of these groups overlap, as the seats can be adapted as your child grows:
Group 0+ - For children weighing between 0kg and 13kg
Group 0+1 - For children weighing between 0kg and 18kg
Group 1- For children weighing between 9kg and 18kg
Group 1-2-3 - For children weighing between 9kg and 36kg
Group 2-3 - For children weighing between 15kg and 36kg
Once you have determined which group your child falls into, the next thing to check is that a particular seat is compatible with your car. You can usually do this by checking the manufacturer's website, the packaging on the seat, or by asking the retailer.
Hopefully at this point you should be satisfied that a seat is appropriate both for your child and for your car. Now you can begin thinking about other factors, such as convenience and comfort. If possible, test how easy it is to place the seat in and out of your car, and whether it's a simple process to strap your child in securely using the harness system. You don't want a seat that's fiddly or overcomplicated to fit.
Also, if your child likes sleeping in the car, you may want to buy a seat with soft padding, a headrest and a reclining position, to make sure that they're cosy. Other added extras to look out for include side impact protection, which offers added safety in the event of a side-on collision, and removable covers, which are much easier to wash.
Once you've decided on a particular child seat, take a look around to see if you can find it for a good price. You'll often find great deals on top brands like Britax, Graco and Maxi Cosi online. The best retailers will allow you to reserve your seat online and collect it from the store, and some will even install the seat for you.
