Child car seat for 9 years old with a child. Which car seat is better and how to choose the right child car seat

An article about how to choose the right child car seat. Features of seats for children, important nuances of choice. At the end of the article there is a video on how to install a child car seat in a car.

The content of the article:

Safety is a top priority for modern car manufacturers. However, these measures only produce results in relation to the driver and adult passengers, and the child who is inside the car is still in danger, and the standard means of the car cannot protect him properly.

What the law says

Since January 1, 2007, the use of special car seats in our country has become a prerequisite, but not for everyone this has become the norm and a necessity. To the rules traffic made changes that require drivers to use child restraint seats when transporting children under 12 years of age. If the driver violates this requirement, he will be fined.

All children's special devices must be certified. What information does the information label on the car seat contain?

• standard code (ECE R44/03 or R44/04);
• category;
• E icon with the code number of the country that conducted the tests;
• load weight (maximum weight of the child);
• certification identification number;
• product serial number.

Why can't you fasten your child with a standard seat belt? This belt is designed for a person weighing over 36 kilograms and a height of 1.5 m; for others, these means of protection are ineffective and even dangerous.

According to WHO, the use of a restraint system reduces the death of children under one year of age in accidents by 60-70%! And among children under four years of age - by 55%.

Based on these data, it can be argued that using a car seat to transport children is not just fashionable, but is primarily necessary for safety on the road.

There are currently a lot of child seats; the difference is not only in price, but also in design. How to wisely choose a child car seat for your car?

Budget option or expensive restraint device

Along with reliable child restraints, Russia allows the use of an alternative for securing children in a regular car seat. The main goal is to ensure the safety of the child when transported in a car, but do they all cope with this task?

There are a huge number of options for alternative devices. Traffic regulations do not impose any specific conditions on such devices. Alternative devices may include special ties, fasteners and belt adapters that “correctly” fasten the child. Among their advantages, only low cost and compact size can be highlighted. Such alternative devices comply with GOST; the driver will not be fined for using them. But most importantly, these devices do not guarantee the safety of a child in an accident and can even be dangerous for children.

Choosing a car seat based on the child’s weight

The first consideration when choosing a child car seat will be the child’s weight - based on this, the seat group is determined. The age and height of the baby do not matter much; The most important thing is that the head is not higher than the upper edge of the back. The label strictly indicates the permissible load limits.

There are 5 main groups and 3 additional ones, which include universal restraint devices.

Let us list the five main groups of child restraint devices and give them a brief description:

1. Group 0, for children weighing less than 10 kg;
2. Group 0+, child weight less than 13 kg;
3. Group 1, child weight 9-18 kg;
4. Group 2, child weight 15-25 kg;
5. Group 3, child weight 25-36 kg.

Although there are chair models that cover several groups, most likely you will have to purchase more than one device. First it will be a chair for a newborn, and then for older children. Buying a chair that fits multiple groups will save you money, but single-group seating is much safer.

Group 0 (child weight no more than 10 kg)

This is a cradle, because... For a newborn baby, a lying position is required. Cradles of this group are installed across the movement of the car to make it easier to approach the child (secured with standard belts). Often strollers are equipped with similar cradles (i.e. the cradle is used as a car seat). But the main disadvantage of such devices is that the cradle quickly becomes too small for a child. Consequently, “0+” car seats will be more popular.

Group 0+

In another way, such chairs are also called carriers. They are used to transport a child whose weight does not exceed 13 kg. You can use this chair for approximately one and a half years.

The seat is placed in the direction of travel, and the child is positioned facing the direction of travel (sharp braking in this position will not be so dangerous) and is fastened with a five-point seat belt. The carrier is installed in this way due to the specifics of children's anatomy - the child still has a weak neck: when hitting the front of the car, a large load is placed on the neck.

Group 1

This group of seats is intended for children weighing up to 18 kg and under 4 years of age.
It includes devices that are located in the direction of travel of the car. These car seats use their own straps to secure the child in place, and ISOFIX or LATCH systems are used to secure the child to the car seat. Many car seats can change the angle from a sitting position to a lying position.

Group 2

This seat is suitable if your child’s weight does not exceed 25 kg; it can be used to transport children 3-7 years old.

These seats are equipped with standard belts, three-point belts of a child car seat or safety tables. The backrest and headrest can be adjusted.

Car Seat Booster - Group 3

The chairs of these groups are also called boosters - a kind of pillow stand on which the child will sit. These restraints are designed for children aged 7-12 years weighing up to 35 kg.

This cushion increases your child's height and can be secured with a standard shoulder strap.

Universal car seat

Also on the market for children's car seats you can find universal seats suitable for children of different ages. Manufacturers often combine groups 0+ and 1, as well as groups 1, 2, 3. Such restraints can have a wide range of adjustments, and the internal five-point belts can also be removed. Of course, purchasing a universal car seat will cost less than purchasing car seats for all groups separately.

Fastening

Installing a car seat should be quick and easy; This is especially true for car seats and carriers, because if parents lead an active lifestyle, then the seat will be taken out of the car more than once a day.

How to attach the restraint device:

1. Using standard seat belts is the most well-known method, in which the belts pass through special guides, and the child safety system is securely fixed. In addition, it is worth acquiring belt pads.
2. Using ISOFIX mount. Such a mounting system for seats is advisable only if the car is equipped with the same fastenings. The child seat is equipped with special metal guides that are attached to brackets at the bottom of the rear seat of the car. You can additionally use an anchor belt - this will increase the stability of the chair in an accident. In addition, the chair rests on the floor with an adjustable support. This is the most reliable mount.
3. The LATCH fastening system is popular in America. It is similar to ISOFIX, but the metal guides are replaced with straps with locks.

Convenience and comfort

When choosing a restraint system, pay great attention to how comfortable your child will be in it. In addition, you also need to think not only about the baby’s comfort, but also about your own. The chair's carrying handle will help you carry the device without any hassle.

It would be good if the chair had an adjustable backrest - many children fall asleep when moving, and in this case you can easily move the chair to a reclining position. An important role is played by the presence of an adjustable headrest and reinforced side protection in the restraint device - they will protect the child from a side impact and will hold him well during a sharp turn.

The seats have different safety systems. This can be a 5-point belt that evenly distributes the load on the body during an accident, an automatic belt tensioning system, two- and three-point belts, safety tables that protect the head, neck and internal organs from injuries. The body of the child restraint system must be solidly filled and contain only energy-absorbing, impact-resistant plastic.

For the car seat cover, choose a dense, non-staining, hypoallergenic, soft “breathable” fabric that provides good air permeability. In order for the cover to be washed, it must be easily removable. If all these conditions are met, your child will be comfortable and comfortable in the chair.

Important nuances of choosing and installing a child car seat

Things to consider when attaching the device:

• The child car seat must not be installed on a seat that is equipped with an airbag;
• Installation of the car seat is carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions;
• The rear seat is safer for installing a chair;
• A child under 1 year of age should ride with his or her back in the direction of travel;
• The chair must be secured very tightly;
• The child's head should not be higher than the top edge of the back of the restraint.

When choosing a car seat, consider some points:

• The weight and age of the child must correspond to the car seat group;
• Study the design: whether the backrest angle changes, the headrest and armrests are adjusted, whether the controls are easy; how the child is fixed in the chair;
• method of securing the car seat (belts, ISOFIX, LATCH);
• Choose a place of purchase, taking into account the reliability of the seller and the adequate cost of the model you like;
• Pay attention to the product certificate;
• Check the contents of the chair and its integrity.

To ensure your child has a safe and comfortable trip in a car, make sure to purchase a high-quality and reliable seat. By installing it properly, you will be sure that every trip with a small passenger will be safe.

Video on how to install a child car seat in a car:

With the choice of a car seat from 0 kg, I will begin a short series of articles devoted to the problem of choosing a child seat at each age. There will be little guidance here on which specific car seat model to choose, but I will list a number key points, which are worth paying attention to.

Which child are we choosing for?

We will talk about choosing a chair for a newborn and for children under 5 months. Because If for some reason the child has not received his car seat before 5 months, I think it is right to take a combination seat of group 0+/1. Previously, I do not recommend taking such chairs 0+/1, because... the child will be frankly uncomfortable in them. And you too.

Why is it necessary?

It seems that this has already been written everywhere, but many mothers are still absolutely sure that it is safest to hold a small child in your arms. So, this is the saddest misconception among all erroneous opinions about child safety.
To put it very simply, the load on the mother’s hands at the moment of a collision at a speed of 50 km/h will exceed the child’s weight by about 30 times. So think about it, can you handle an instant and unexpected load of 120-150 kg? But in practice, the mother, on the contrary, also puts her weight on the child, reducing his chances of survival to 0.
But exactly like this Small child is the most fragile and therefore it is precisely at the age of up to one year that the use of child car seats from 0 kg gives the maximum safety effect among all age groups. And yet, these groups are the least popular in Russia among car seats for all ages. Parents think that they will not travel much with their child, that the seat has a short lifespan, and that it is expensive. Well, and the previously described common misconception about reliable maternal hands.

What is the difference between chairs 0 and 0+?

Both are designed for use with a child from birth.

Group 0 car seats resemble a sleeping block from a stroller, are installed perpendicular to the movement of the car and secured with 2 standard belts.

Pros:

– the child lies completely horizontally. The main plus. Ideal for transporting premature babies and children with spinal problems. Or for transporting newborns over very long distances.

Minuses:

– Used only up to 10 kg, in practice, up to approximately 6-8 months. As a result, as a rule, the child does not reach group 1 and has to buy a transformable chair 0+/1

– Takes up 2 seats in the car. There is little space for an adult in the back.

– Group 0 safety seats are VERY FEW. For many strollers we can see in the instructions that their sleeping blocks can be used as a child car seat. So, even professional manufacturers of child safety products have only a few successful models. Achieving good safety when positioned across the movement (and this is the only way the child can lie down completely) is much more difficult than if the child is placed rearward, as is done in the 0+ group. Examples of such models (in fact, they are almost everything that is safe): Romer Baby Safe Sleeper, Bebe Confort Windoo Plus, Jane Transporter 2.
Hence the next minus

- It's expensive. As already mentioned in the previous paragraph, there are very few safe models of group 0. And they all cost quite a lot, given the short period of use.

- Heavy weight. The actual chairs in this group weigh a lot. A carrying handle is included, but the most you can hope for is to carry your child in it to the stroller next to the car.

Car seats group 0+ (0-13 kg, approximately from birth to 12 months):

This is a more familiar carrier chair. Small, with a comfortable handle, weighing 3-5 kg. Placed in the car against the direction of travel. AND ONLY AGAINST. I have met talented parents who manage to install such a chair in the direction of travel, supposedly this way the child can see better and he can also be seen better. I don’t know what they think. The child’s cervical vertebrae are not yet formed properly, and a “nod” even during sudden braking, not to mention a real accident, can cause serious injuries to him.

Pros:

– Relatively light. You can put the child inside the house and carry him in a chair. In the same way, you can take a sleeping baby out of the car directly in the car seat. Although I wouldn’t run long distances with such a load. I tried it myself - it’s really hard.

– Relatively compact. Takes up one space.

– Many safe models.

– There are models installed on Isofix bases. This type of fastening generally improves safety. And what’s important is that it’s much more convenient. Because When installing and removing the seat, you do not need to crawl around the cramped interior with a belt, but just put the 0+ car seat on the base and press. To remove it, just press a button or pull the corresponding handle and you can remove the chair from the car.

- It's not that expensive. Although there are models with normal safety from 3000, models in which the child will also be comfortable, they still start at 5 – 6 thousand rubles.

– For many models of chairs 0+ exist strollers , on which such a car seat can be installed. Convenient for visiting shopping centers and clinics.

Minuses:

– It is not completely horizontal. Often, far from entirely. This is explained simply. The seat is installed against the direction of travel and in case of an accident the load should be evenly distributed over the child’s back. Accordingly, he should rest his back against the surface of the car seat. Therefore, one or another tilt and a certain degree of “sitting” are present in any child car seat in this group.
In Europe, it is considered normal to sit a child on a support, starting from birth. European doctors have their own arguments, we will not dwell on them now. In Russia, orthopedic doctors firmly take the position that a child who cannot sit independently must lie down. Who's right and who's wrong to an ordinary person A non-medic will certainly not be able to figure it out, therefore, you can look for a compromise option - a chair from 0 in which this angle is minimal. Or rather, it is most evenly distributed throughout the bowl. For example, models of this group from Maxi-Cosi (City, Cabriofix, Pebble). In 2014, the Cybex Aton Q model will begin shipping, where, also on my recommendation, the engineers paid attention to this point, and not just safety.

In any case, it is not recommended to travel without removing the baby from the 0+ seat for hours. At least every hour and a half it is worth stopping and holding the baby in your arms.

– Models that use Isofix are more expensive, and the Isofix base itself is sold separately and costs no less than a car seat. In most models, after the end of the cradle's useful life, you can throw it away or try to sell it, because... it is no longer applied. Although there are exceptions, such as car seat models Maxi-Cosi, Peg-Perego, Recaro.

– Small capacity. The indicated period of use of a car seat from 0 to 13 kg (years) is for a thin child whose service life ends in the hot summer month, when he rides without clothes. In practice, the average period of use is up to 9 months. It often turns out that a rapidly growing baby outgrows this chair even earlier and has to take a combination chair 0+/1. Although in the last 2 years, decent models have appeared in the 0+/1 group, although they are expensive, so everything is no longer so scary.
To extend the period of use, you need to understand that huge overalls “for growth” and children’s safety are not compatible. The solution is special envelopes with slots for car seat belts while the child is not walking. And in the future - modern overalls that are smaller in size.

Well, one last well-known note: Group 0+ seats can only be installed when the front airbag is disabled. The impact of an expanding pillow on a baby's head is comparable to a blow from a sledgehammer, so this is not a formality.

So, you have decided to buy a car seat for your baby, but now you are faced with the problem of how to choose the right seat for you?

First, make sure the seat meets ECE safety standard R44.03. Very often you will hear from sellers and manufacturers about this standard, but what does it mean? ECE R44.03 is a safety standard, a detailed collection of rules covering the design and all specifications car seats, in order to ensure that they all fully perform the functions for which they are intended. Before being put on sale, all seats must undergo tests to demonstrate compliance with the standard. Safety standards for seats are regularly reviewed as cars and everything associated with them change rapidly.

ECE R44.03 is the latest edition, effective September 12, 1995, which establishes the following mandatory requirements:

• All seats of this standard must provide side impact protection,
• group 0+ (from birth to 13 kg) was introduced into the classification, as well as color coding to help with seat installation: red - forward-facing installation, blue - rear-facing installation,
• All components used in the production of the seat must pass the individual tests applicable to that component, for example:
  • seat belts must meet certain tension force requirements and must be heat, cold, light and abrasion resistant,
  • the seat belt buckle must open with a force between 40 and 60 Newtons (4 to 6 kg) when unloaded and up to 80 Newtons (8 kg) when loaded,
  • Seat belt guides must prevent the belt from moving/sliding more than the established norm.

If all components meet the established standards, the finished seat must undergo special crash tests with a dummy of the appropriate weight:

• Each test is filmed with a high-speed camera connected to a computer, allowing you to view the recording frame by frame.
• During the test, the dummy must not move outside of a certain area. IN otherwise In the event of an accident, a child in such a seat could hit another object, such as the windshield, and be seriously injured or killed. During tests inside a vehicle, modeling clay is used to determine how the dummy interacts with other parts of the vehicle.
• The rate of deceleration of the movement of parts of the mannequin, such as the head or chest, is measured by special computer instruments. If this speed is too fast, the child may suffer brain/organ/skeletal injuries similar to those suffered by boxers.

If all tests are successfully passed, the manufacturer applies to the Vehicle Certification Agency, which will very carefully examine the results, production drawings and the quality control system used in production, and only after that a certificate for sale can be issued.

Secondly, the main thing when choosing a chair is the weight of the child. It is he, and not age, that determines the choice of seat. The baby's age is indicated for reference only and nothing more.

All car seats are divided into groups depending on the weight of the child.

Although many models cover more than one group, it is quite possible that you will buy several chairs. Starting from a chair for and ending with a chair for older children. A small caution - seats that combine several groups are a very economical purchase, but you should know that they are always at least slightly inferior in terms of safety to seats that are intended for one group. You will find out why below.

Thirdly, you should never buy used seats, in fact, we recommend replacing the seat if you are involved in an accident. This is explained by:

• the seat may have structural damage invisible to the eye,
• some parts may be missing,
• Often there are no installation instructions, and incorrect installation leads to serious consequences.

Now more details about each group.

Car seats Groups 0+ designed for babies from birth up to 13 kg (approximately up to the age of ). They are light, compact, with a convenient handle for carrying. Your baby will always be with you, wherever you go: to the clinic, to the store, to visit. The semicircular base allows you to use this seat at home as a rocking chair for a baby. And the adjustable handle, fixed in the lower position, is like a low chair. Car seats Groups 0+ secured with a standard three-point belt, installed only with your back facing the direction of travel of the car on the front or rear passenger seat and must be equipped with adjustable internal seat belts.

Mothercare stores always have it in stock at an affordable price. various models seats Groups 0+. Most car seats come with additional accessories and features. For example, the Travel Tot Plus seat has an indicator of correct installation in the car. And the Rock-a-Tot Deluxe model includes a headrest, hood, padded shoulder straps and under the buckle for added comfort. It can be secured in the car using only the lap seat belt. The base of the BabyShua portable seat is equipped with special grooves for installation on the chassis of the corresponding model and provides an alternative method of fixation on the passenger seat.

Additionally, you can inexpensively purchase a raincoat and a warm bag if you use a lightweight portable seat in the autumn-winter period. And so that the baby does not get bored on the road - various hanging toys on the seat handle. Soft pads on the shoulder straps of the seat belts (sold separately) are decorated with toys of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Postman Pat - both comfort and entertainment for the little traveler. If you install a car seat on the rear passenger seat, it is very convenient to use a rear view mirror with a suction cup to monitor your child during the trip.

Car seats that combine Groups 0+ and 1(“Oregon”, “Club Class”, “Voyager”, etc.), designed for babies from birth and weighing up to 18 kg (up to approximately 4 years) and are designed for a long period of use. They are universal: they are secured in the car only with their back facing the direction of travel for children weighing up to 13 kg and turned forward when the baby exceeds the weight limit of Group 0+. All models feature an easy-to-adjust internal five-point harness to provide secure support. The seat back angle has several positions for maximum comfort while traveling when the baby is sleeping. Special guides for the seat belt allow you to securely secure the seat in the car, and deep sides and armrests provide maximum protection in case of side impacts. A wide selection of models meets the most demanding requirements.

Your baby will feel as comfortable as possible in the Challenger car seat. The kit includes a special reversible pillow insert for a newborn and soft pads on the shoulder straps of the seat belt and under the buckle. The back angle has 5 positions, and the velor cover is machine washable. Or choose the Endeavor model, which has the advantage of having a retractable footrest and can only be secured in the car with a lap belt in a forward-facing position.

For newborns, when using car seats of this type, you can buy a separate special headrest that will support the baby's head in the correct position. And for older kids - a bright neck pillow with funny animals, designed specifically to support the heads of children traveling in a facing position in the direction of the car.

If you have used a car seat Groups 0+, and your baby has already grown out of it, then the next stage is Group 1. Group 1 car seats are forward-facing only and are designed for children weighing 9 to 18 kg (approximately 9 months to 4 years of age). They are great for long trips (Daytona, Freeway, etc.). All models are equipped with easily adjustable internal five-point seat belts, and the back angle can be adjusted in several positions. Deep sides and armrests provide additional comfort and reliable protection during side impacts. Special guides with a snap mechanism allow you to securely secure the seat in the car. Most models are equipped with a height-adjustable headrest and soft pads for the seat belts and buckle. And the Freeway, Eclipse and Renaissance models can be secured in the car using only a waist belt.

The completely new, exclusive model "Renaissance" is additionally equipped with the unique "Ajastafit" system, which allows you to adjust the height of the headrest and internal seat belts according to the child's height without removing them from the fastenings. And with the help of a special seat belt tension lever, you can secure the seat in the car after changing the angle of the backrest without having to manually tighten the belt. This is a big advantage, especially if your baby is sleeping and you don't want to wake him up.

For older children, you can purchase an organizer for children's accessories and toys attached to the back of the front passenger seat - it is indispensable, especially on long trips. And easy-to-clean PVC covers for the back of the front passenger seat and under the car seat will help prevent soiling of the upholstery due to dirty shoes.

As well as Group 1 for children weighing from 9 kg, car seats with a high backrest can be used, combining Groups 1, 2 and 3. They can be installed on both the front and rear passenger seats using car seat belts. This type of seat is designed for children weighing up to 25 - 36 kg and is designed for different age groups, which allows you to significantly save money. Most models are equipped with an internal seat belt and a height-adjustable headrest (Elite, Columbia, Jewellin, etc.), which provides additional comfort. Some seats (Ranger, Columbia, Jewelry) have a removable backrest and can be used as booster seats for children weighing from 15 to 36 kg. The set of such seats includes an additional adjustable strap with a guide for the diagonal section of the car's seat belt. It is necessary in order to properly secure the child in the car in accordance with safety standards.

One of the most modern models, "Jevelin" is equipped with a number of additional advantages: the seatback angle has 2 positions, the width of the seat can be changed as the child grows, and for children weighing from 15 to 36 kg (approximately up to the age of 11 years) it can be used without backrests as a seat-stand. This model is a good investment.

Car seats Groups 2 and 3- this is the next step to ensure the safety of the child in the car if you have previously used a combination car seat Groups 0+ and 1 or Groups 1.

Seats-stands ( Group 2 and 3) are used for children weighing from 15 to 36 kg and ensure the correct position of the child in the car. The extra height of the stand allows the diagonal section of the belt to be positioned at shoulder level rather than neck level, which meets safety standards and prevents the risk of strangulation during sudden braking situations. In addition, such booster seats for older children help prevent motion sickness while traveling in the car.

Our stores always offer a wide selection of inexpensive booster seats, many of which, for example, Sea-and-Ride Deluxe, are equipped with an additional adjustable strap with a guide for the diagonal section of the car's seat belt.

Discussion

And when we were choosing, we first of all looked at crash tests, we chose Maxi-Cosi Rock, it is light, weighs only 3.9 kg, and meets the standards. And the baby is comfortable and comfortable in it.

We bought a Japanese Carmate chair because... I already had a previous model, which was passed on to friends.
The chair is high quality, all materials are top notch. The lining under the cover is made of a material that reduces vibration from the road.
The 360-degree rotation is a very convenient thing, and unlike the previous model, it rotates with one hand, which makes it very easy to place the child in the chair. Since our car is not tinted, the sun canopy came in very handy; it doesn’t get too hot for the baby on long trips.
The neck support pad and the insert itself are of high quality.
The chair is super, we and our girl really like it.

We purchased a CarMate Kurutto Premium chair for the birth of our daughter, now she is 4 years old, weight 16 kg, height 100 cm. The straps fasten on a winter suit without problems, there is still a small supply, enough for another summer ride. Both my daughter and I are delighted with the chair, as soon as we put my daughter in the chair, she falls asleep almost immediately, it’s so cozy there, and the sun canopy also helps out. Rotating the bowl is very convenient. And the fact that even while moving you can tilt the cup to the sleeping position with one hand.

Hello! I bought a car seat the other day. I can't figure out how to secure it correctly and whether it will protect my child at all, as shown in this video [link-1]. Unfortunately, I heard that there were cases when it did not help. Why might this be? Does everything really depend on the direction of installation? What is your opinion on this matter?

And we chose Baby Trend. A good chair that meets all our requirements. The main thing, of course, is that the little one likes it) And he’s a capricious little guy

I suggest you post an article on the pages of a website about pregnancy with a link to your website.

If you have a specialist at your disposal who is ready to clarify the selection criteria for readers, I will be happy to wait.

If successful, it will be possible to begin cooperation with the placement of a personal page, banners, publications on the forum, etc.

I started the article like this: (but since I am not a specialist in the field and have not studied the market on my own, but I would like to have an overview on the pages of the site, and at the same time help you with buyers and choices, I am writing. So, the beginning :)

Wide choice car seats to date. But what to choose to ensure maximum comfort and safety for the child, not to overpay and at the same time be absolutely sure that the little passenger in the back seat will not be harmed under any circumstances? Our review of car seats today will help with this.

Introducing this product, I would like to immediately note that there are several leaders on the market of car seats for children, from which you need to choose according to the criterion..

Waiting for your reply. Denis

12/13/2008 21:50:33, Denis

I want to buy a seat for a Chevrolet Lacetti car from 9 to 18 kg, but I don’t know which one will fit. Please help me with advice or tell me the website address.

Our son is 1.8 years old. We have a chair up to 18 kg, i.e. up to 4 years. So when the child is wearing a fur coat, the belts are too small for him. It turns out that you can only throw them on your hands, but you can’t fasten them. Despite the fact that the child is tall, but not fat. So when you choose, make sure that the straps are long, otherwise you will have to run to the store for a new chair every year.

02/07/2008 16:16:20, Veronica

Hello, I would like to buy an inexpensive car seat
stand for a child 8 years old. Please advise which is better, and where I can buy it? Thank you. 05/23/2005 10:35:33, Alexander

Walking with my child on the playground, I constantly pay attention to caring mothers who run after their children, hold them, help them climb the slide, forbid them to swing too much on the swing, repeating every minute: “Careful! Watch where you step. Hold on tight." And their concern is understandable. After all, they protect the most valuable thing that is in their family.

Then dad drives up to the site in his car. A joyful child climbs into the back seat of the car and sits on his mother’s lap or stands between the rows, holding the backs of the front seats with his hands (after all, it’s much more interesting to keep an eye on the road). Then the car drives out of the yard onto a busy highway and disappears into an endless stream of cars...

Happy parents don’t even think about how dangerous it is for a child to be in a car completely unprotected and that in a critical situation they may not be able to help their baby, and the consequences of an accident or sudden braking can be much more serious than abrasions and bruises received on the playground .

I think many readers recognized themselves in the lines above, but still believe that in case of danger they will have time to grab and hold their child.

Then I will give you a few facts confirmed by organizations involved in the issue child safety in the car:

• - when a car suddenly stops at a speed of 50 km/h, an unbelted child receives injuries similar to those caused by a fall from a height of the fourth floor.
• — an unbelted child weighing 30 kg, sitting in the back seat of a car on the lap of a buckled-up parent, when the car suddenly stops from a speed of 50 km/h at a short time acquires a weight of 1 ton.

Are you capable of holding a ton on your knees with your bare hands?

• — an unfastened dummy in an accident at a speed of 50 km/h hits the windshield so hard that fragments penetrate into the head to a depth of 1 cm. The overload during an impact reaches 192 g (safe threshold - 88 g), and the cervical vertebrae are broken off at a moment of 154 Nm (safe threshold – 57 Nm).

Imagine what kind of injuries a child would receive in an accident while standing between the front seats.

• — the thigh of an unbelted passenger sitting in the back seat of a car, in the event of an accident at a speed of 50 km/h, presses into the back of the front seat weighing 1300 kg. With the same force, he will flatten a child sitting on his lap or standing to the side in a side collision;

But every parent can provide protection to their little passenger in advance. You just need to put your child in a car seat.

Statistics, as you know, are a very stubborn thing and, according to the World Health Organization, in the event of an accident, a car seat increases the chances of survival among children under one year old by 70%, and by 54% among children from 1 to 4 years old.

Therefore, in order to ensure maximum protection for the smallest passenger, every parent should first of all take care of the presence of a child restraint seat in the car. However, given that the modern market offers chairs from large quantity manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, which differ in the weight and age of their future owner, ease of use, level of safety, quality of materials used, method of fastening, shape, reliability and of course price, then choosing a car seat often becomes a real headache.

How to choose a child car seat? Groups of car seats for children

When starting the process of choosing a child car seat, you should know that all car seats are divided into groups:

• — groups 0;
• — groups 0+;
• — groups 1;
• — groups 2;
• — groups 3;
• — universal groups 0+/1;
• — groups 2-3;
• — universal groups ½-3;

depending on the age and weight of the child. Moreover, despite the fact that the main parameter is weight, which is what is used to certify seats, it is necessary to take into account both parameters, the weight and age of the child.

Car seats "Group 0"

“Group 0” car seats are intended for the youngest passengers aged 0-6 months and weighing up to 10 kg. They have special carrying handles, so you can put the baby in the cradle at home and take it to the car, or take it out of the car and take it home without disturbing the baby’s precious sleep. By appearance these chairs are more reminiscent of an ordinary stroller cradle and, as a rule, have special fastenings for fixing to the chassis of strollers from most manufacturers.

The main advantage of this type of chair is that the child in them occupies a completely horizontal position, which is safe and the only correct one from an orthopedic point of view, in the first months of life.

Such car seats are installed in the back row of seats facing the direction of the car, which provides excellent visual control and full access to the child from the front seats.

It is with this car seat that you need to welcome your child from the hospital and carry him in the car for the first few months.

However, despite all the advantages, such infant carriers have several significant disadvantages.

Disadvantages of group 0 car seats:

• - size. Such car seats are very bulky and, when installed, occupy more than 2/3 of the rear seat, leaving only one seat on the side, and even that is not a full one;

• - weight. These car seats weigh just over 6 kg, which together with large sizes and a displaced center of gravity leads to the fact that carrying such a car seat with a child inside turns out to be very uncomfortable and difficult even for men, not to mention fragile girls;

• - protection. The transverse position of the seat in the car is not in the best possible way protects the child’s body in the most common frontal impact;

• — price. The cost of this type of seat is much higher than the cost of car seats in the next age group - 0+. It is also worth considering that a Group 0 infant carrier can only be used until the child reaches the age of 6 months or weighs 10 kg. And then you will either have to buy a group 0+ car seat for several months, and this is an additional expense, or immediately switch to a universal group 0+/1 car seat, but this is a compromise towards reduced safety.

Therefore, car seats in this group are not particularly popular among buyers and, accordingly, the range of such seats is limited to literally a few models, which are quite difficult to find in stores.

Car seats “Groups 0+”

However, there are more universal “Group 0+” car seats. They are designed for children aged 0 to 12 months and weighing up to 13 kg. They, like the “Group 0” chairs, are equipped with fastenings for fixing on the stroller chassis instead of a walking or sitting block and have a special handle for carrying a sleeping child from the car to home. Many models of such chairs can be used as a rocking chair, but it is worth remembering that such a chair cannot replace a full-fledged cradle and the baby’s continuous stay in it should not exceed two hours.

In a car, such seats are installed along the seat, so that the child is oriented with the back of his head forward, i.e. against the direction of movement. This rule must be followed! Because only in this position, when the car suddenly stops or brakes, the load on the child’s fragile spine and fragile neck is evenly distributed over the entire back of the chair and reduced to a minimum.

Children in such seats are fastened with their own five-point seat belt, and for the youngest travelers there is a special soft pad around the head and in the pelvic area. So that the baby takes the most horizontal position, and the head does not swing to the sides when turning.

Also, for ease of use, many manufacturers offer to purchase a special base for the car seat, which is attached to the car seat. The seat with the baby is placed on the base, the lock is latched and the infant carrier is securely fixed. You can also unfasten the carrier from the base and take it home simply, literally with one movement of your hand. But such a base costs about the same as the car seat itself.

You can also find out what types of infant carriers there are for newborns and by what criteria they should be selected.

Age Group 1 car seats

Age group 1 car seats are intended for children aged from 1 to 4 years and weighing from 9 to 18 kg. In most cases, such seats are installed facing the direction of travel of the car, and the child is secured with an internal five-point seat belt. In some models, the child is held in place by a special soft table, over which a standard seat belt must pass. The table is designed to provide even greater protection at the time of impact or sudden braking due to the increased load distribution area, and can also be used by the baby for games on a long journey.

Since children aged 1 to 4 years are still very vulnerable, and they have to ride in a car like adults, in the direction of travel, group 1 car seats, to provide the greatest protection, have deep sides and a very complex design. Consequently, among such chairs it will be difficult to find inexpensive models that score high safety scores.

Car seats for age “Group 2” and age “Group 3”

The range of car seats for age “Group 2”, for children aged 3 to 7 years and weighing from 15 to 25 kg, is very small. Therefore, to find such a seat, you will have to go around more than a dozen specialized stores, and car seats of the “Group 3” age group for children aged 6 to 12 years and weighing from 22 to 36 kg can only be called a car seat with a big stretch. This is no longer a familiar chair, but a seat-stand without a back, the so-called booster. It is used to lift the child and fasten him with a standard seat belt not over the neck and stomach, but over the shoulder, chest and hips. Due to this, during sudden braking, the belt does not injure the child and there is no risk of suffocation. However, boosters do not protect children at all in a side impact and show very poor safety results in general. And judging by the reviews, sitting in a booster for a long time is much less comfortable than in a full-fledged car seat.

Car seats “Groups 2-3”

Therefore, manufacturers, focusing on a longer age interval and observing the highest standards for convenience and safety, produce “Groups 2-3” car seats, intended for children aged 3 to 12 years and weighing from 15 to 36 kg. These seats are installed in the direction of travel of the car and are not equipped with internal seat belts. The child is fastened with a standard car three-point belt, which is threaded through special guides. Due to these guides, the belt fits correctly on the body and does not put pressure on the stomach and neck.

The main task of seats in this group is to provide lateral protection in the event of an impact, accompanying the child until the standard seat belt is activated. Therefore, the design of these seats is simple compared to group 1 car seats, and choosing an inexpensive model that meets all safety requirements will not be difficult. And more expensive models will differ only in the quality of the materials used and the availability of additional options.

Universal car seat groups

There are also more universal groups of car seats that simultaneously combine the characteristics of several groups and are cheaper than several seats for a narrower age range:

— "Group 0+/1" for children aged from 6 months to 4 years and weighing no more than 18 kg. Sometimes such car seats are mistakenly purchased for newborns, but it is highly not recommended to use them until the child is sitting independently, since the backrest in them has a more vertical position compared to chairs of group 0+, which can create a harmful load on the child’s fragile spine. Such car seats are installed against the direction of travel of the car until the child reaches the age of 12 months and in the direction of travel when the child over a year old. To secure the passenger in the seat, there is an internal five-point seat belt and a soft anatomical insert that changes the depth of the seat so that it is suitable for children. different ages and complexions. It is also worth considering that car seats of group 0+/1 are stationary, i.e. they do not have a carrying handle, which means that a sleeping baby cannot be taken out of the car along with the chair and taken home;

— "Group ½-3" for children aged from 1 year to 12 years and weighing from 9 to 36 kg. In them, children under 3.5 years old and weighing less than 15 kg are secured with a soft table or an internal five-point seat belt, and then the internal belts or seat belt are removed, and the child and the seat are secured with a standard car seat belt through special car seat guides. Also, the internal safety table and belts are removed if the child is taller than 100 cm. Such seats are installed in the direction of travel of the car.

The main advantage of a universal car seat is that it saves money and time - instead of two seats, you can buy one. However, it is worth considering that universal chairs, combining the characteristics of chairs from several separate groups, are inferior to them both in safety and comfort. And also because more parts, adjustments and prolonged use, a universal car seat can break down before the child no longer needs it.

Therefore, it is worth using such chairs during transitional stages, when the old chair is already tight, and the child feels too free in the new one. Or when the child has rare short trips.

In this article we looked at how to choose a child car seat based on the age and weight of your child, in the next article we will look at methods of installing and securing car seats (ISOFIX system), and also learn how to check whether a given car seat is safe. Read the article.

To summarize, I would like to note that each parent decides for himself whether it is worth spending time and money on buying a car seat. However, when making a choice, remember that in case of danger it is this that can save the life and health of the smallest passenger in your car.

You can also learn how to choose a child car seat from the video below.

P.S. We bought a MaxiCosi CabrioFiks car seat for our son ( group 0+), we were very pleased. And when he grew up, they bought him a Romer King ( group 1). This car seat lasted us until Dominic was 3.5 years old. The next and last chair was the Romer Kid ( group 2-3). And our daughter Ivona first inherited a car seat. Now Ivonka goes to Romer King and loves it.

Today you can buy a child seat to suit every taste and budget. All that remains is to figure out what the current requirements for the safety and appearance of the product are and how to choose the right car seat for a child.

Choosing a car seat wisely – basic criteria

The question of whether to purchase a child restraint system is not on the agenda at all, since there is no other option effective way protecting a child in the event of an emergency simply does not exist today.

And if domestic parents were recently faced with the obligation to purchase and install a seat, foreign car enthusiasts have a long history of handling this protective device. But even foreign counterparts, and those of the highest rank, often find themselves in an awkward position.

Interesting fact! In 2008, paparazzi photographed Hollywood movie star Nicole Kidman holding a child while riding in the back seat of a car. Many fans were outraged by such unreasonable behavior and even called for her to be prosecuted.

But little by little the culture of transporting children is taking root in our country. Statistics also contribute to this: in case of an accident at a speed of 50 km/h, a restraint device reduces the risk of injury to the baby by exactly half. That is why the desire of parents to purchase the best car seat for transporting their child is quite natural.

However, experts who conduct numerous tests of such devices are convinced that the ideal car seat does not exist, but the most suitable one for a particular small passenger can be selected.

In order to understand how to choose the right car seat for your baby, you should take into account the main indicators and criteria for a safe and comfortable transportation device, view reviews from other parents and videos of crash tests of popular models.

Fastening type: standard belts or ISOFIX

When choosing a child seat for a car, you need to decide in advance whether to purchase a device with the ISOFIX system or limit yourself to standard machine straps.

ISOFIX car seat mounting device

What is ISOFIX? This is a specially designed rigid fastening system. This connection is essentially a pair of brackets (located at the bottom of the car seat) that are inserted into the anchor brackets of the car body.

Numerous crash tests have shown that child seats equipped with the ISOFIX system are safer than seat belts.

Quite often, child restraints for the youngest travelers are additionally equipped with other attachment points. According to the manufacturers, such seats provide the child with even greater protection.

1. Models with retractable stop element. This telescopic “limb” ensures the immobility of the car seat during frontal impacts. However, user reviews indicate certain inconveniences during operation.
2. Modifications with anchor straps. These chairs have additional fixing points using a special strap with a carabiner. The belt buckle is located either behind the seat headrest or on the cargo floor.

Cars from the USA are often equipped with the system LATCH . In this case, the car seat is attached to the car body not with the help of brackets, but with special straps with locks or hooks.

Before purchasing a seat with the Isofix system, you should find out whether such fastenings are available in the car. Modern means movements are equipped with safety latches without fail.

Seat belts

A small child should not be fastened with a standard seat belt, but with the anchors of the car seat itself. They come in different types: one-, three- or five-point, and fastening can also be done using safety table .

Of course, it is better to choose models equipped with a belt with 5 attachment points to the seat, since in an emergency the load will be distributed throughout the child’s body, which guarantees a lower likelihood of injury to the child.

Before purchasing, you should make sure that all locks work and open comfortably. In the event of an accident, situations arise when it is necessary to instantly free the baby from the “captivity” of the belts. At the same time, you should make sure that the baby cannot unfasten them on his own.

Product frame

A child's car seat has either a plastic or aluminum frame. The second option is more durable and, therefore, safer, but also costs significantly more.

However, modern industry makes it possible to produce such high-quality plastic that products made from it are not much inferior to their metal counterparts. This is evidenced by numerous crash tests.

Another option for a child restraint system is frameless car seat . This seat cover is compact and inexpensive, but in the event of an emergency it practically does not protect the child from injury.

A chair with a frame (no matter plastic or aluminum) is much safer for a child: it has support for the spinal column and takes on the main load in the event of an accident or sudden braking of the car.

Back and headrest

Joie car seat with recline adjustment

Another important parameter is the anatomy of the back. This means that this part of the chair must completely follow all the bends and convexities of the child’s spinal column. This criterion is especially important if the child will spend significant time in the car.

For the youngest passengers who need constant rest, it is important that the device is equipped with a tilt regulator, which allows you to turn the car seat into a sleeping place.

Since the baby must be protected from dangers threatening from all sides, Special attention It is worth paying attention to safety during side impacts. That is why you should purchase models equipped with a comfortable large headrest and deep side elements.

Case

This indicator does not affect the safety of transportation, but is important for the passenger himself, since the slightest inconvenience makes the child worry about the uncomfortable lining or the qualities of the material itself.

Car seat cover color options

It is important to make sure that the case is made of quality material, which repels dirt and can be removed for cleaning (washing). Typically, the covering of the chair is made of synthetic fabrics with elements of natural fibers.

What to do if the summer is hot and the child is constantly sweating? Some models also have covers made of cotton fabric, which increases comfort for the young passenger in the summer months.

Safety standard and labeling

If we talk about the reliability of devices in general, we can draw one important conclusion: those car seats are the safest, which are certified by international organizations and equipped with a special mark, for example, ECE R 44/04.

Example of a label on a car seat with markings

This mark means that such restraints have successfully passed crash tests and comply with the strict standards of the Common European Standard, fourth edition.

Therefore, a certified car seat must bear the ECE R 44/04 conformity mark. Such a sign may look different, but it consists of several mandatory notes:

• European standard compliance code;
• type of device (universal, semi-universal, special);
• weight group;
• country code number;
• certificate number;
• device serial number;
• manufacturer's name.

Good to know! The letter "E" and the number in the circle indicate the country in which the device was certified. For example, E1 is Germany, E2 is France, E4 is Holland, E17 is Finland, and E22 is Russia.

In addition, a high-quality product must have the year of manufacture printed directly on the plastic case itself. Such markings can be printed or stamped.

Manufacturers also place the following important information on the restraint itself:

• if the seat is attached using standard car belts, then a drawing of the correct algorithm for fastening the straps is attached to it;
• if the product is installed with its back to the direction of travel, then a warning sign is placed in the headboard area;
• if the device is installed both along and against the direction of movement of the car, then a symbol is attached indicating the age or weight of the child when it is necessary to turn the car seat to face the movement.

Before purchasing, it is important to make sure that the markings on the child car seat match the required marks described above. Parents should also request from the seller Required documents– including a certificate of conformity.

How do you know if a car seat is suitable for your car?

To choose the right child restraint for a child and a specific car, you need to look again at the type of seat indicated in the certificate. As noted just above, there are three types of certification.

1. Universal. The device can be installed without problems in all cars that comply with ECE R14 and R16 standards (regulate the requirements for installing a seat in a car).
2. Semi-universal. Since, in addition to standard safety measures, manufacturers additionally equip the chairs with various supports (telescopic “limb”), it is necessary to check whether a particular machine is included in the list of compatible models.
3. Special. In this case, the holding devices, due to their special design and functionality, are certified for use only in strictly limited car models. Your vehicle must be on the list of compatible models.

But even if the chosen car seat is universal, you should definitely check that it is suitable specifically for your car. After the device passport has been studied, it is recommended to perform the following actions:

• determine the length of the standard straps to understand whether they are enough to fasten the child;
• see how tightly and well the device is attached to the back sofa. To do this, you need to “try on” the car seat;
• try to place the baby in the installed device.

How to choose the right child restraint and understand how it fits the car? Entrust this process to your little passenger. The child must try on the selected accessory. If the baby likes the car seat, it means that on the road he will not be mischievous and distract the driver from the road.

What are crash tests?

To assess the safety of a car seat, not only certification documents are important, but also the results of officially conducted so-called crash tests.

Be sure to read the article by our specialist, which indicates 2017 - 2018. by security level.

Perhaps the German club ADAC enjoys the greatest confidence among European consumers, which has developed its own extremely strict method for testing the safety of car seats for children.

Experts evaluate restraint devices based on the following important parameters:

• protection– how well the device protects the child from injury in an accident;
• reliability– how reliably the car seat holds a small passenger and is attached to the body of the car;
• comfort– how comfortable the child feels while in the restraint;
• service– how convenient it is to use and maintain this device;
• environmental friendliness- studying chemical composition fabrics and body of the product.

Based on the test results, experts draw up tables in which the most reliable models are marked with 2 plus signs, and the most unreliable ones with a minus sign. An even clearer option is to use color schemes in which bright green means “very good” and red means “poor.”

An example of a table of crash test results from the leading German auto club ADAC. You can view the full list of tested models, as well as previous and subsequent tests.

What types of car seats are there?

Specialty stores offer a huge number of the most different models children's car seats. Such abundance can confuse any parent.

Experts advise paying attention to several important parameters:

• age of the child;
• body weight;
• height.

To choose the right car seat for your child, you should take into account all the above characteristics. However, the most important parameter is the weight category, since body weight does not always correspond to age indicators.

Currently, it is customary to distinguish 5 main groups of car seats and 3 additional ones. Each main category differs in age indicators, starting from the newborn period and ending with the 12th birthday.

Table 1. Main categories of child car seats

Category name	Child's body weight		Installation Features
Category "0"	Up to 10 kg	From 0 to 9 months	Along the rear sofa and perpendicular to the direction of travel
Category "0+"	Up to 13 kg	From 0 to 15 (18) months	With your back facing the direction of travel
Category "1"	From 9 to 18 kg	From one to 4 years
Category "2"	From 15 to 25 kg	From 3 to 6 (7) years	Facing in the direction of travel
Category "3"	From 25 to 36 kg	From 6 to 12 years	Facing in the direction of travel

Thus, if you follow the logic of the manufacturers, parents will have to buy at least four car seats during the first 12 years of their child’s life. Not every family can afford such expenses, since the prices for high-quality restraint devices are steep.

In this case, it is proposed to purchase car seats of an additional group, or universal devices that combine the qualities of devices for several age groups.

Table 2. Combined categories of child car seats

name of category	Child's body weight	Approximate age standards	Installation Features
Category "0+/1"	From 0 to 18 kg	From six months to 3.5 years	Before a year - against the direction of movement, after a year - in the direction of movement
Category "1-2-3"	From 9 to 36 kg	From 12 months to 12 years	Facing in the direction of travel
Category "2-3"	From 15 to 36 kg	From 3.5 to 12 years	Facing in the direction of travel

Such a purchase will help you save money. However, versatility does not always guarantee convenience or high level product safety.

Selecting a car seat from the main categories

It is among the main categories of restraint devices that motorists can choose the most suitable seat for a small traveler, corresponding to his age and weight characteristics.

Group “0”: for the little ones

Carriage for newborns is very similar to a regular cradle, which is why its second name is “car seat”. Such a device is mounted sideways on the rear seat of the vehicle. Sometimes the carrier is placed with the back of the head forward.

Car seats are purchased for children younger, whose body weight does not exceed 10 kilograms and height - 75 centimeters. However, experts do not recommend going too close to these boundaries; it is better to take care in advance of purchasing a model that is more suitable to the physical parameters.

The advantages of car seats in this category include:

• reliable fixation and protection of the baby’s head;
• keeping the baby in a supine position, which corresponds to the physiological norms of a newborn’s age;
• quite comfortable strap that goes around the child;
• possibility of installing the cradle on a stroller.

The holding device also has certain disadvantages, among which the following are highlighted:

• not entirely safe orientation of the holding device;
• The baby will quickly grow out of this car seat.

It is this last drawback that many vehicle owners especially dislike. That is why parents prefer to purchase the next category of car seats, which will be discussed a little later.

How to choose the right car seat for a newborn? For example, read a review of the safest car seats of 2018 based on crash tests. Below is short description one of the most popular infant carrier models.

The first “motor transport” for the smallest babies, produced in Germany. The results of numerous crash tests (including those of the well-respected German club ADAC), as well as the ECE R44/04 certificate, guarantee the complete safety of the baby.

The main advantages of this model are as follows:

• thoughtful design allows for all-round protection baby body, absorbing the energy of both frontal and side impacts;
• the cradle can be attached to almost any modern stroller;
• the product frame is made of high-quality shockproof plastic;
• the child is securely secured with two three-point safety belts - central and outer;
• there is a handle for carrying, a removable visor that protects from wind and sunlight;
• The car seat is equipped with a system to prevent torsion in place.

However, reviews from car enthusiasts indicate that this model also has certain disadvantages:

• The weight of the product is quite large - about 5.8 kilograms, which makes it difficult to move a baby weighing more than 5 kg;
• high cost (about 25,000 rubles), and the baby will grow out of the holding device by 6 months.

Prices for the Britax Römer Baby-Safe Sleeper:

Despite enough high price, the model is in fairly steady demand from buyers. Prices for Baby-Safe Sleeper in Russian online stores range from 22,300 to 24,240 rubles.

1. KotoPhoto online store (link to product with description and current price) - RUB 24,240.
2. Online store Daughters and Sons - 22,300 rubles (modified model).

Group "0+"

If you are thinking about the question of which child car seat to choose for a baby from birth to 15 months, then it is better to focus on models of the “0+” category. They are designed to transport small passengers weighing less than 13 kg and height up to 75 centimeters.

Restraint devices of this modification have clear advantages over car seats of the previous category, since they are purchased for both newborns and older children.

The child in such a device is seated with the back of his head facing the direction of the car. This orientation is important because children under 1.5 years old have a large head and a very fragile neck, which can be damaged in a frontal impact or emergency braking.

Choosing a child car seat of category “0+” is due to a number of advantages, including:

• the ability to change the child’s lying position to a semi-sitting position;
• securely secure the baby with three- or five-point safety harnesses;
• precise fastening of car seats to the car seat using either standard car belts or the ISOFIX system.

Just like the models of the previous category, car seats of group “0+” are equipped with special brackets for fixing to the stroller chassis instead of blocks for walking or sitting and a special handle for transferring a sleeping baby from the car to home.

Most of these modifications are also used as a rocking chair, but we should not forget that, despite the maximum comfort, the time a child is continuously in such a car seat should be limited to a couple of hours.

There are many options for such devices. Below is one of the popular models of car seats for the youngest passengers.

Kiddy Evo-Luna i-Size

Another car seat from Germany, characterized by the highest safety standards - including the new ECE R129 (I-Size) position. This marking means that the restraints are additionally protected from side impacts.

Experts cite the following characteristics as the advantages of this model:

• high orthopedic qualities of the backrest and headrest, which allows the Kiddy Evo-Luna I-Size to be used for transporting, including premature babies;
• the slatted bottom contributes not only to shock absorption when driving on uneven surfaces, but also to comfortable thermoregulation, which prevents the child’s back from sweating;
• the straps have soft upholstery, a three-point system in the form of suspenders, which makes it easy to adjust the tension force and the degree of fit of the clamps to the child’s body;
• the Side-Shelter system allows you to absorb a much larger amount of energy, which additionally protects the child in the event of an emergency;
• Thanks to a simple system of transitional fastenings, the car seat can be easily installed on a variety of models of wheelchair devices. In addition, the cradle is also used as a rocking chair or chaise lounge.

This model, perhaps, has the only drawback - its rather high cost, approaching 35,000 rubles.

Group "1"

From the age of one year, a child can order and purchase category “1” car seats. Such models differ in the following limits for use:

• age indicators – up to 4 years;
• body weight – up to 18 kilograms;
• height – up to 98 centimeters.

Most often, a child in such car seats is seated facing the movement of the car, additionally secured with internal 5-point safety belts.

Separate restraints are equipped with a special soft table, which is not only used by the baby for games and entertainment while traveling, but also provides additional protection in the event of a frontal collision or sudden braking.

The main difference between the models and previous categories of car seats is the ability to adjust the degree of backrest tilt, which allows you to transfer the child from a state of wakefulness to rest and sleep mode.

We offer a brief description of one of the most popular and reliable models of restraint systems for children over one year old.

Recaro OptiaFix isofix

Which brand of child seat should parents prefer? For example, the Recaro company offers a stylish car seat that will make a good impression even on the most strict parents and little travelers from 1 year old.

The high popularity of this restraint device is ensured by the highest reliability rating from ADAC, ease of use and practicality.

The advantages of this car seat include the following characteristics:

• the frame is made of metal and high-quality impact-resistant plastic material;
• the headrest can be adjusted in height, which is very important for tall children;
• Side protection technology has been significantly improved;
• The internal five-point harnesses are softly padded and securely hold the child in the chair;
• high-quality materials create an optimal microclimate, which allows the baby to feel good both in the winter and summer months.

Reviews show that this car seat has virtually no drawbacks. The only negative is the fairly high cost, which, however, is more than compensated by the high quality.

Group "2"

Child restraints of the second category have the following limits for use:

• age parameters – from 3 to 7 years;
• body weight – from 15 to 25 kilograms;
• height – up to 120 centimeters.

The child is seated in a restraint device facing the direction of travel of the car, which allows the young passenger to carefully study the surrounding space.

The main difference from models of previous categories is that the baby is held using standard car seat belts. This is why parents need to properly tighten the belt to prevent it from passing through the neck area.

Retaining devices of this category are almost impossible to find in their pure form. Most often, car seat manufacturers combine models into the “2 - 3” category.

Group "3"

Restraining devices in this category can be called a car seat with a huge stretch. This is not a design familiar to everyone, but a kind of pillow - a lining, called a “booster”.

This car seat is intended for children with the following physiological characteristics:

• age standards – from 5 to 12 years;
• body weight – from 22 to 36 kilograms;
• height – up to 135 centimeters.

This seat is used to lift a small passenger and fasten him with a standard car belt, which will pass not through the neck and abdomen, but through the shoulder, chest and hips.

It should be understood that a chair in this category is a regular seat without a backrest. Despite their fairly solid construction, it is not advisable to use them, since they do not provide protection at all in case of side impacts.

It is precisely for reasons of unpopularity (for group “2”) and low reliability (for group “3”) that we will not provide a description of representatives of the last two categories of car seats, since it would be more correct to characterize them as a hybrid.

Universal categories of car seats

In order not to select and purchase several restraint devices for a growing child, you can order or buy a model from the so-called additional, or universal, groups. They combine the features of several categories at once, as a result of which it is possible to save money.

Category "0+/1"

Models of this auxiliary group are intended for children aged from six months to 4 years and weighing no more than 18 kilograms. You cannot purchase them for newborns!

A child up to 6 months of age cannot yet sit independently, and the predominantly vertical orientation of the back will lead to an increased load on the fragile spinal column.

Such car seats are mounted against the direction of travel of the car until the baby is one year old, and in the direction of movement when the child reaches one year of age.

Recaro Zero. 1 (Isofix)

This model is developed according to updated I-Size standards, therefore, the device is additionally equipped with a side impact protection system. The safety of the seat is also confirmed by the results of crash tests from ADAC.

The main advantages of this car seat include the following design features:

• a special rotation mechanism that makes it easier to get the child in and out of the seat;
• the body is made of high quality plastic material, additionally reinforced with a metal frame;
• the covering material allows you to absorb energy coming from frontal and side impacts;
• The internal five-point harness has a soft lining and securely secures the baby in the chair;
• The additional support on the floor further enhances the safety of the device.

Category "2 - 3"

As the category designation suggests, these car seats are a hybrid of the second and third group models. These restraints are used when transporting children with the following physiological parameters:

• age standards – 3 – 12 years;
• body weight – 15 – 36 kilograms;
• height – up to 130 centimeters.

Child seats are fixed to the car body either using standard belts or using a special fastening system. But these chairs do not have internal straps, so the parent needs to monitor the correct coverage of the child’s torso with a standard fastener.

In addition, such devices place high demands on the child’s growth. The minimum values ​​of this indicator are 95 centimeters. If a young passenger does not reach this mark, the car seat will not ensure the correct passage of the strap over his torso.

The main advantage of chairs in categories “2 - 3” is the low cost of most models, with fairly high reliability indicators.

Below is a description of one of the popular models of this group of devices. More detailed review presented in the rating of car seats 2017 - 2018.

Britax Römer Discovery SL (Isofix)

Low cost, practicality, functionality and high safety standards, confirmed by ADAC and ECE R 44/04 certificates, make this car seat popular with parents and young passengers.

The restraint system “grows” with the children, eliminating the need to purchase new devices as the child grows.

The main advantages of this model include the following design features:

• deep seat, soft sides reliably protect the child in the event of a frontal or side impact;
• the deep headrest can be adjusted depending on the angle of the car sofa;
• the fixation system is universal - the chair can be attached using LATCH technology or standard car seat belts;
• the holding device is compact and lightweight - about 4.3 kilograms;
• The model is equipped with a removable cover made of soft, resistant material, which is highly breathable and easily machine washable.

Category "1 - 2 - 3"

If parents want to save even more money, experts advise purchasing restraints in this category. The range of use of such “hybrids” is quite wide:

• age standards – from 12 months to 12 years;
• body weight – 9 – 36 kilograms.

Despite the fact that it is versatility and low cost that distinguish these children's car seats, the question of what disadvantages they have is really relevant.

It should be understood that hybrid devices will almost always be inferior to age-specific car seats. This is due to the fact that the physiological development of a child at one year and at 5 years differs significantly. Therefore, one device is simply not able to take into account all the features of a growing child’s body.