CAR SEATS

Product Tests |

Lara Green from Babyworld.co.uk has been testing out car seats with a panel of parents. We asked her what points parents should consider when looking to purchase this product.

What car seats are available for newborns?

There are lots of different car seats available so it’s really worth doing your homework and finding out what different types are out there and also which different type of car seat will fit well into the back of your car. Car seats are split into different groups so it’s really dependant on your child’s age and size. A newborn would start in what’s called a group 0 car seat. These are generally fitted into the back of the car, either with a seat belt which is rooted to the back of the seat or some come with what’s called an autobase.

What should we look for in a car seat?

Quality is really important. You want to look for something with a good solid fit in your car. How easy is it to use ? Things like padding, comfort is really important. Another thing that some parents are looking into is lie flat car seats.

Are these new seats?

They are relatively new. They’re a lot healthier for babies backs. It’s generally advised that babies aren’t left in their car seats for more than two hours. They’re purely for being in the car and that’s it.

What price are these lie flat seats?

It does vary. It starts at around £499. So it’s very expensive but it does save you buying another seat for when your baby is around 12 months.

What should we be looking for in the next stage car seat?

Group 1 will last from around 12 months, up to around 4 years of age depending on how big your child is. You can invest in a multi group car seat too, this will last until your child is 11 or 12 years of age. The same rules apply when looking for a seat in this age, quality and safety are important.

What are isofix seats?

The system operates through isofix points on the back of your child’s seat and it fits into the car.

Do under 12s need to be in seats now?

That’s right, children under 12 will have to be restrained in car seats or booster seats. It’s definitely worth reading up on because the penalties can be quite hefty.