Choosing a child car seat from 9 to 18 kg

Car manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the safety of drivers and passengers by making car bodies stronger, improving airbags and seat belts. However, all auxiliary elements responsible for the protection of adult passengers do not apply when the issue concerns children. Therefore, caring parents purchase special car seats designed to ensure the safety and comfort of babies on the road.

All such products are divided into categories based on the age and weight of the child. This article will tell you how to choose a child car seat for a toddler weighing from 9 to 18 kg.

Features:

Some parents think that a car seat is a waste of money. They transport babies in one of three ways:

on hands;
with a belt fastened in the usual way;
with a fastened seat belt passing through the child's armpit.

However, crash tests conducted by many organizations have proven the dangers of all of these methods.

When a car collides, the weight force of objects and people increases 30 times. In this case, neither the mother nor the father will be able to hold the child sitting in his arms.
The belt, fastened in the usual way, passes in front of the neck. In an accident, the likelihood of damage to the baby's cervical vertebrae increases, because the child's body is very fragile.
The armpit belt in a collision can damage the chest of the small passenger.

Therefore, car seats are the safest way to transport children. The design protects the child's body from all sides. It is able to prevent various fractures and even traumatic brain injury during sudden braking and serious accidents. Side protection is especially important, which is provided by special bumpers.

Many models, in addition to standard elements responsible for safety, include additional options that increase the comfort of the child. Thanks to this, parents can take their baby with them even on long trips.

Tips for choosing

Modern manufacturers present a huge variety of child car seats, so it can be difficult for parents to make the right choice.

Most car seats are divided into two groups:

0 group - for children up to 9-11 months, weighing up to 9 kg;

1st group - for children from 11-12 months, weighing from 9 to 18 kg.

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right car seat.

Child's age (manufacturers indicate the approximate age of young passengers for each model).
Weight (you need to be guided by the weight of the child, since companies take thin children as an example).
Height (this data is also indicated on the label). In this case, if possible, it is better to "try on" the chair, since the child's head should be located lower than the upper border of the back of the product.
The severity of the model.
Fabric (it is advisable to choose products from high quality breathable fabric).
The ability to remove the fabric cover for subsequent washing.
The presence of expertise (checking the chair by a crash test) is a great bonus that increases brand confidence.
Product reviews.
Additional adjustment (the ability to change the position of the chair so that the child can sit or sleep comfortably).
Availability of comfortable, non-rigid strap pads.

Baby car seats are made mainly of two materials: plastic (this makes the structure light and easy to transport) and metal (such options are much heavier, but much safer).

It is desirable that all fastenings on belts and other parts of the chair are made of metal. This will allow you to be confident in their reliability in the event of collisions.

Structures are fastened in two ways.

The car seat belt is passed through the back of the child seat frame and the baby is fastened with internal seat belts built into the structure. This method is suitable for newborns and babies.

Designs for older children are attached to a standard belt built into the car. He walks through the seat and easily buckles the little passenger.

The usual hardware, located on the inside of the chair, consists of 5 parts. The maximum degree of inclination of the structure should be twenty-five or thirty degrees. If you find a recumbent position, consider the risk of an accident. Such mechanisms shift pressure angles, and this reduces the safety of the structure. Of course, the car seat should be comfortable for the child, but the main task of this product is still not convenience, but safety.

There are varieties of car designs that include a table. The price of such models is much less than the cost of options with internal fastening, since the main emphasis here is on the standard belt in the car. Internal straps are also available here, but they are more for the comfort of the baby. These chairs do not have tilt adjustment, but they are able to follow the curves of the vehicle seats on which they are installed.

Notable models

An important aspect of choosing the right car seat is researching products from well-known brands that have been tested by customers. Consider the characteristics of the best products of the companies that rank first in the ranking of car seat manufacturers.

Britax-Romer

King 2 is one of the popular models of the German brand. It has several color options. The structure is fastened with a car belt. The shape for maximum comfort, adjustable tilt, removable cover, 5-point straps and stylish design are the characteristics of this product.

The light system mechanism controls the tension of the belts, giving two signals: sound and light. The price of the model is about 20,000 rubles.

TriFix is the best model of this brand, according to most buyers. It has improved technical characteristics. This model owes its reliability and safety to the Isofix system, which, in a collision, dampens the force of an impact by pulling down. Only then does the chair move forward with less force.

The inner anchor strap has a zig-zag stitching for even more durability. 4 rectangular foam elements are inserted into the body, which reduce the likelihood of injury in the car seat. The cover is removable. The product is soft and protects the child from all sides.

The price of this model is about 28,000 rubles. This cost is fully justified by the level of product performance and the guarantee of the safety of the young passenger.

Happy baby

The Taurus V2 model differs from this brand in its laconic design. The product is produced with upholstery made of ordinary fabrics and eco-leather. The second option is more practical, but less comfortable. A big plus of this model is the elongation of the belts by 98 cm, which adds convenience when planting a child in outerwear. The product is fastened with a regular belt. The price of this model is about 7000 rubles.

Maxi-Cosi

The Tobi model from this manufacturer has a high fit. The kid has a good view, it is comfortable for him to sit in the chair, but there is a minus in this characteristic. A relatively adult child in a car with a low roof will be uncomfortable because his head will be too high. The level of lateral protection also suffers.

Another drawback of this model is the complex installation, the principle of which is not very clear in the instructions. Nevertheless, the product is a success. The chair is soft, comfortable, with the ability to adjust the position. The belts of the model are equipped with a spring-loaded system, which makes it easier for a child to get in and out of the car seat. You need to pay for this model about 22,000 rubles.

The Cybex model stands out for its low price (about 14,000-15,000 rubles). That is why this option is considered by many to be the best in the first category. Fastening is carried out with a regular belt. The inside of the product has a built-in table. The seat has no tilt options, but can be adjusted to sleep with the car seat, following its shape.

In this case, you should be very careful. Despite the straps that secure the child inside the seat, there is a possibility that if the seat is tilted too far, the child may simply slip out of it when the brake pedal is pressed hard.

Installation nuances

Any of the mechanisms can be located both in the front and rear seats. If you decide to put the car seat in the front, it is important to follow a number of measures to protect your baby:

it is advisable to disable the airbag (if the seat is installed against the direction of travel, then disconnection is mandatory);
if the seat is in the direction of travel, and the airbag is on, then it is worth pushing the seat back, trying to compensate for the protrusion of the car seat.

Structures of the first group are most often installed in the direction of travel. Don't worry about the small viewing circle. A child sitting in a similar mechanism rarely looks out of the window, turned 90 degrees.

Regardless of which part of the car the structure will be in, it is better to give preference to models with side reinforced frames in the head area. This will protect the baby from injury in case of possible side collisions.

Examples of

Many parents pay attention not only to the level of safety, but also to the appearance of car seats, wanting to purchase a model with an interesting color scheme. You can choose a model in a neutral beige color that will perfectly match any car upholstery.