When choosing the best for their children, every parent first and foremost wants his child to be safe. Safety in the car is the most important point that novice parents should take care of, because already on the way from the hospital it is necessary to provide the baby with conditions in the car that do not threaten his life.
When choosing a car seat for a baby, the main criterion will be its safety. To study the protective properties of each model of a car seat, special crash tests are carried out, in them an emergency situation is simulated, and at the exit they look at the degree of damage to the car seat mechanisms. Crash tests are carried out by various auto clubs in the most developed countries of the world - Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands. In Russia, the tests are carried out by the famous among motorists magazine "Autoreview".
Types of car seats
The main parameter when choosing a child car seat is the weight group of the child. So, all car seats are divided into the following categories.
- Group 0. It is designed for a child's weight up to 10 kg, in the car it is located across the movement, attached to the seat with 2 seat belts. It is considered impractical and not safe enough. Suitable for children under 1 year old.
- Group 0+ is more ergonomic and safe. It is a car seat in which the smallest passengers up to 13 kg (up to 1.5 years) are in a reclining position thanks to a special insert for newborns. When the child is old enough, he is placed in the infant carrier without an insert.
It is important that this type of car seat is installed only against the movement of the car, this arrangement adds safety to the baby. Carrycots are comfortable, carry handles and are often used as carriers.
- Group 1. Car seats for children from 9 kg to 18 kg. These seats are equipped with internal harnesses. The car seat is attached to the rear seat facing forward using the car's belts, while the child is fastened to the car seat with three- or five-point seat belts integrated into the seat.
- Group 2. Armchair for children from 15 kg to 25 kg. The models of this group no longer have seat belts; car belts are used to fix the child. The size of the chair is designed for the weight and height of children from 3 to 7 years old.
- Groups 3. Otherwise, chairs of this type are also called "boosters". Used by children from 22 kg and above. The chair has no back, only a soft seat remains, which is equipped with recesses for attaching a car belt.
- Various combinations. It is not uncommon that manufacturers produce car seats designed for several age groups at once. They are labeled as group 0 + / 1 (suitable for children from birth to 3 years old, from 0 to 18 kilograms), group 0 + / 1/2 (for children from birth to 7 years old), such chairs are often equipped with several positions , they can be placed both in the direction of the vehicle and against it. They have a sleeping position, the chair grows with the child and there is no need to change it often.
Next, we will consider the most popular models of the 0 + / 1/2 group for children from 0 to 25 kilograms.
Rating
The most popular, according to buyers, are as follows.
- 1st place. Nania trio sp comfort - car seat, which is the bestseller of this famous French brand. It meets the ECE R44 / 04 safety criteria, has an anatomical shape, pleasant fabric and additional cushions to make even the smallest child comfortable in this seat. This species has a relatively low weight - only 7 kilograms, which allows you to transfer it from car to car without any particular difficulties. Users highlight the minus of this chair - it is quite rigid. The set includes an insert for newborns made of natural materials. The cost of a car seat is also quite pleasant - on the official website it can be purchased for an amount not exceeding 4 thousand rubles.
- 2nd place. Kenga LB718 - this car seat has won its trust among users by the convenience of adjusting the backrest, in this model there are 4 positions of the child in the chair - from lying down to completely sitting. The belts are equipped with soft pads, a liner for newborns is included. All fabric parts can be easily removed and washed. Complies with ECE R44 / 04 safety standard. Judging by the reviews, consumers single out one drawback of this chair - the instructions that come with it are too short and incomprehensible. Price - up to 7 thousand rubles.
- 3rd place. Happy baby voyager - good comfortable chair with 3 back positions. Available in various colors. Has comfortable soft pads on five-point belts to prevent chafing. Has good results in crash tests both frontal and side.
At the same time, it has one drawback - the chair is rather cramped, so for large children in winter clothes it is unlikely to be able to serve until the age of 7 years. Price up to 8 thousand rubles.
- 4th place. Liko baby LB-309 - comfortable soft chair, reliable design. Among the disadvantages of this chair, consumers highlight the inconvenience of adjusting the backrest position and the rather large weight of the chair itself. The price for this type is about 15 thousand rubles.
- 5th place. Carmate Zutto 3 Style - a good chair from a Japanese manufacturer. Consumers highlight the main advantage of this chair is the ability to adjust the belts in height, the headrest is adjustable in the same way. The seat fits easily into the car and is wide enough to fit even a large child.
Of the minuses, some note the seat material - children sweat, as well as the lack of Isofix fastening.
Tips for choosing a car seat
Below are the nuances to consider when buying child seats.
- Pay attention to the age and weight category of the car seat.
- The main criterion when choosing a car seat is its safety. Currently, the most stringent safety standard is the European standard ECE R44 / 04. Before purchasing a chair, check if the model you choose complies with this standard.
- The child should be comfortable in the chair. It should be soft enough and preferably made from natural breathable fabrics.
- Pay attention to belts, five-point belts are considered the safest. Pads on the belts will provide additional comfort to the child - they will not chafe.
- The tilt adjustment is an important detail as small children often sleep on the road.
- Trial installation in the car. Try on a car seat in your car if possible, since if you are the owner of a small car, a massive seat may simply not fit into it.
In the next video, Dr. Komarovsky and baby product consultant Maria will explain and show you how to choose the right car seat for your baby, what to look for, and what models can be found in stores.
