What is the name of the child seat? Tips for parents on choosing a car seat for a child

How to make the right choice? What to look for when making a purchase. And what every parent should know about a child car seat. You will learn about all this below.

Having a car seat when transporting a child under 12 years old in the front seat and under 7 years old in the back seat is not easy mandatory item rules traffic, and first of all, safety little passenger. The purchase of this product should be approached very responsibly. Inappropriate Car seat– consider it his absence.

Strictly by weight and age!

Depending on the weight and age of the child, car seats are divided into several main groups. Each of them takes into account the characteristics of its age category, which makes it possible to protect the little passenger as much as possible and make his trip comfortable.

Group 0+- baby carriers (up to 13 kg). Placed on the rear or front seats facing forward. They can also play the role of a carrier, rocking chair or even a stroller (some models). Secure with a standard seat belt or Isofix system.

Group 1- car seats of this group are intended for children from 1 to 4 years (9-18 kg). They offer several tilt positions. The design is made according to the “soap box” principle and is installed on a load-bearing frame according to progress.

Group 2- used for children under 7 years old and designed for weight from 15 to 25 kg. Their main feature is the use of external car seat belts (instead of internal ones) as child restraints.

Group 3- car seats for older children (up to 36 kg). They do not have internal belts; they are secured with standard car seat belts. Most often they are a seat-lining (booster).

Most groups are rarely found in their “pure” form. Most often they are combined into one model child car seat. For example: “0+/1” (up to 4 years, 0-18 kg), “1/2” (from 9 months to 7 years, 9-25 kg), “2/3” (from 3 to 12 years , 15-36 kg).

Universal car seats: pros and cons

Universal chairs combine several groups at once. For example, in the category “1/2/3” the following groups are combined: “1” (9-18 kg), “2” (15-25 kg) and “3” (22-36 kg). On average, they cover the age period from 9 months to 12 years. That is, having moved from the car seat, the child can remain in one seat until it turns into a booster.

The advantage of universal restraint devices over standard models is obvious - extended service life. The seat will “grow” with the passenger, and you will not need to replace it when the baby moves to another age group.

The disadvantages include ergonomics that are common to children of all ages. It is impossible to please every age group 100%, so each “suffers” in its own way. For example, kids can be capricious because of an uncomfortable headrest, which can be too high even in the maximum lowered position.

3 cases when a universal car seat is ideal for you:

You are buying a chair for a child aged 1.5 - 2.5 years, for whom the “2/3” group is not yet suitable (his weight is less than 15 kg, his height is below 95 cm). In this case, choosing a chair of group “1” is not logical, because the baby will outgrow it very quickly.

The seat is purchased for a car that is used very rarely. In this case, a transforming chair will be the most economical solution to the problem and a guarantee of your baby’s safety.

There is no financial opportunity to buy a child seat for each age group. In this case, it is better to choose a transformer rather than adapters, which, by the way, will soon be banned.

Deciding on the mounting method

There are 3 ways to secure the seat in the car:

Standard car belt

Fastening with a standard three-point vehicle belt is used for all age groups. However, there are some peculiarities here. In the “0”, “0+” group, the standard belt secures the car seat in the passenger compartment, and the child is fastened with an internal five-point belt. In groups “1” and above, a standard belt fastens the child, and the seat is fixed due to its weight.

Advantages of this type of fastening:

Disadvantages of fastening with a standard seat belt:

Before you buy a seat, check whether it can be installed in your car. In some vehicle models, the design of the rear seat and backrest profiles makes it impossible to attach most child seats. There are situations when the length of the standard belt is not enough to secure the restraint device.

Isofix mount

An alternative to standard seat belts when securing a child restraint system is the Isofix system. It is a rigid attachment of the seat to the car body. This ensures better protection for the child.

A child seat with the Isofix system is almost impossible to install incorrectly. This is done very quickly and simply. Special brackets built into the back seat of almost any modern car are connected to brackets located at the bottom of the restraint device. “Docking” is easy, and the chair is firmly secured. Some models have electronic indicators, which change color if the chair is installed correctly.

Some models of car seats of groups “0+” and “1” require the installation of a child seat on a special platform, which is equipped with an Isofix mount.

It is important to know!

Advantages of Isofix:

Disadvantages of Isofix:

LATCH mount

The main feature of the Latch fastening (American standard) compared to Isofix is ​​the absence of a metal frame and brackets in the design of the chair, which significantly reduces its weight. Fastening is carried out using durable straps, which are secured with carabiners to the Latch brackets on the back seat of the car.

Latch and Isofix are fully compatible with each other. This means that if your car has Isofix, you can safely install a seat with Latch mounts and vice versa.

Benefits of Latch:

Disadvantages of Latch:

Comfort and design

The child should be comfortable, and nothing else! Otherwise, he will constantly be capricious, attracting the attention of his parents. And this already jeopardizes the safety of the trip.

Modern models are distinguished by the anatomical shape of the seat, which makes the baby feel comfortable. The design of many models includes comfortable armrests and footrests. Many manufacturers also offer a number of useful accessories to improve your travel comfort.

When it comes to design, it all depends on individual preferences. Today's assortment will satisfy even the most demanding parents who strive to follow fashion trends when choosing a car seat!

If you plan to travel frequently with your baby, the weight of the chair matters, because you will have to constantly carry and install it. And since it is the mother who most often travels with the child, it is recommended to choose a lifting child seat.

The comfort of the trip largely depends on the upholstery material of the child seat. It is recommended to give preference to natural fabrics. If the upholstery of the chair you choose is synthetic, purchase a cotton cover.

Safety standards ECE R44.03 and 44.04 Russian GOST R 41.44 – 2005

Since 2009, the European Union has had a mandatory safety standard for child car seats - ECE R44.04. The original edition of this standard was introduced back in 1995 (ECE R44.01-03), but was only advisory in nature. The European Directive defines a number of requirements that a child car seat must meet in order to provide the maximum level of safety. It is considered one of the toughest in the world!

In Russia, a similar document is GOST R 41.44-2005, introduced on January 1, 2007. In fact, it complies with the European standard.

In the near future it will replace ECE R44.04. The I-Size standard will come, which will further tighten safety regulations regarding the production and use of child restraints.

It is important!

You will always see a special compliance badge on a certified child car seat. It is a circle in which the letter E is inscribed, as well as numbers indicating the country of certification and the series number of the current standard.

7 tips to help you choose the right car seat

Many parents, when choosing, focus only on the age of the child, and this is wrong. To correctly select the right model, you need to know the weight, and better yet, the height of the baby. Therefore, before going to the store, we recommend that you prepare and take all the necessary measurements.

A car seat for children must be the right size. Therefore, it is best to go shopping with your child. Arrange a small “test drive” - put your baby in a chair on a special demo stand and see if he is comfortable there. It is also recommended to “try on” the restraint device to the car in which you plan to use it.

Comfortable seat belts are the key to a comfortable trip and a guarantee of safety. It is especially important to check the fasteners located in the crotch area so that they do not rub. The buckle lock connecting all the belts must have a fabric pad that is wide and sufficiently elastic. It is advisable to have a lock so that the child cannot unfasten the lock while moving.

Do you want to buy a really high-quality car seat? Check if it has the ECE R44\03 or 04 badge. Its presence indicates that the product has passed all tests and fully complies with European safety standards (very strict, by the way!).

A good chair must have lateral protection for the head, neck and shoulders. In the event of a side impact, it protects against serious injury.

It is advisable to purchase a child seat in a specialized store together with your child. Firstly, you will have a huge choice and the help of a security expert. Secondly, you will be able to view all the necessary quality certificates. And thirdly, there is always a demo stand for trying on.

7 Reliable frame. In case of an accident, a huge load is placed on the seat, so it is very important that its frame is strong. Metal frames are considered the most reliable, but they significantly increase the weight of the chair. If you buy a car seat with a plastic frame, make sure that it is primary plastic, it is more durable.

New or used?

Many parents, in order to save money, consider purchasing a used child car seat. And, indeed, this is an excellent opportunity to significantly reduce your purchasing budget. But is it worth saving on the safety of your own child? Experts do not recommend buying a used child seat for several reasons:

Not in ideal condition. When buying a used child seat, you should be prepared for the fact that it may look quite shabby. Such a thing is not always operated carefully.

Hidden defects. The person who sells it to you can hide the presence of any defects or breakdowns, which you will learn about during use. A child seat may be sold after it has been in an accident. But according to safety rules, in this case it must be disposed of.

Health hazard. If a child is prone to allergies, the risk of exacerbation increases, because the former owners may have had animals.

Caring parents!

Together we make the world safe and comfortable.

Child safety expert

January 1, 2017 marked exactly 10 years since the law on mandatory use in vehicles, special children's car seats. And transporting children under 12 years of age in a car without this device is prohibited.

However, today, on Russian roads There are still quite a few drivers who neglect these rules and try in every possible way to avoid punishment due to the use of alternative methods of securing and holding the baby in the cabin.

Statistics on accidents involving children

But official statistics, shows exact numbers - and more than 1 thousand children die, and about 30 thousand are injured, every year due to traffic accidents on the roads and in more than 50% of cases the child was not fastened, or was fastened, but not in a car seat.

In this article, we have selected the best children's car seats, from which each of you could choose the one that best suits the category, price appearance and functionality.

How to choose a child car seat wisely?

In order not to make a mistake when choosing a child car seat, you need to know four simple rules:

1. When choosing a child car seat, make sure that it complies with the European safety class under the abbreviation ECE R44.03, because it is according to this set of rules that the manufacturer guarantees compliance with all standards and functions of the seat. Since these standards are quite strict, only the best companies that have passed a thorough selection receive such certificates.
2. You should choose a car seat by category based only on the weight, and not the age of the child, because the latter is for informational purposes only.
3. Exclude the facts of purchasing used chairs, because such devices may not have visible to the eye damage, or some elements may be missing, and this directly affects safety.
4. If you prefer a car seat that combines several groups, then pay special attention to point 1, since such a device is most susceptible to a reduced level of safety.

The best child carrier seats category 0+ (for a child weighing up to 13 kg.)

According to numerous tests, child car seats from group “0” are very unreliable and a child will most likely be injured when using them. Therefore, it is best to give preference to the “0+” group; fortunately, they are almost no different from their junior analogues, and they are much more effective. In this type of car seat, the child is easily transferred to a semi-lying state, and the anatomical shape cervical region spine, provides reliable fixation of the baby's head. The small passenger is secured using three or five point seat belts.

Installation of a child carrier of this category into a car is usually carried out in the direction of travel of the car, that is, head first, so that during a sudden stop of the vehicle, the child does not receive a whiplash injury. And it is necessary to transport him in this way until he learns to sit on his own.

Recaro Privia

Baby carrier Recaro Privia– an ideal example of maximum comfort and safety for the baby. The seat is one of the most spacious in its class, so the child will be comfortable in it even in winter period time. The Recaro Privia cradle fully meets all expectations in the field of safety, having passed first place in all independent crash tests from the most famous companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as evidenced by the presence of a certificate of the ECE R44/04 standard.

The child is secured in the chair using a 3-point harness, which is protected from accidental twisting by a patented device, which ensures maximum comfort for the position of the child’s head, neck and shoulders. And the belts are fastened to each other in two positions, which will avoid high blood pressure in the groin area. The material from which the chair is made allows the baby's skin to breathe, preventing irritation and prickly heat in the warm season, and does not allow him to freeze in winter. If necessary, this covering can be removed and washed at home.

For the convenience of parents, the cradle is equipped with a convenient carrying handle, and special adapters (sold separately - approx.) allow you to place it directly on the stroller axle. Fastening in the car is carried out using standard seat belts.

Advantages

• Spacious seating area.
• Excellent safety record.
• Easy to install.
• Possibility of using the chair as a stroller.
• Presence of a seat belt anti-twist system.

Flaws

• The textile seam located in the center of the headrest may be uncomfortable for some types of children.
• Poor fixation of the cradle canopy due to weak tension of the clamp springs.

Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix

A children's car seat-cradle, made at the same time in a strict and simple design, meets all the requirements for the safety of transporting small passengers. To ensure maximum comfort for the child, an orthopedic insert and pillow are provided, and the upholstery itself is made of high-quality and anti-allergenic material, which can be easily removed and washed if necessary.

The baby is secured in the chair using internal belts, which have soft pads, both on the shoulders and in the groin area.

Thanks to the semicircular shape of the chair's support, its position can be changed in five different positions, including for sleeping, and can also be used as a rocking chair.

Advantages

• Fixation of the straps on the sides for easy seating of the baby.
• The presence of an orthopedic base for the back.
• Multi-position chair adjustment.

Flaws

• Rated “good” in crash test safety.

Nania BeOne SP Plus

From the moment of birth until the baby gains 13 kilograms in weight, he will feel very comfortable in the Nania BeOne SP Plus chair. Having an ECE R44/04 certificate, it easily passed all tests and inspections, making the trip as comfortable and safe as possible. The anatomical pillow of an enlarged shape will make your child’s trip not only comfortable, constantly holding his head, but also protecting it to the maximum from side impacts.

The seat belts in the chair are three-point, equipped with comfortable pads that will not cause inconvenience to the baby even during long trips.

Advantages

• High level of security.
• Not high cost.
• Available in six different colors.
• Durable polypropylene base.

Flaws

• The securing straps are somewhat short.

Concord Air

The lightest of all the baby car seats presented in our rating, with a total weight of 2.9 kg, meets all the required safety and comfort standards. Thanks to the innovative structure of the frame and a special insert, you can easily position your child without fear of accidentally disturbing him during sleep.

The child's comfort is ensured by a UV-resistant visor, soft seat belts, an adjustable headrest and the ability to install the chair directly on the platform of strollers from the Concord Fusion, Neo or Wanderer series.

Advantages

• The presence of a special liner that supports the hip joint area.
• Visor with UV protection.
• Water-repellent material of the chair.
• Height-adjustable headrest.

Flaws

• No raincoat or summer cover included.

The best universal child car seats in category 1/2/3 (for children weighing from 9 to 36 kg.)

You can switch to this category of child car seats when your child begins to sit confidently and gains more than 9 kilograms in weight, as a rule, this happens already at the age of 10-11 months. In this category, children in a sitting position can be transferred to a reclining position, and the fixation is carried out with an internal, standard seat belt, or a special table.

After purchasing a chair of this category, you can transport a child until he reaches the age of 12, so such a device can be called universal.

Evenflo Symphony e3 DLX

The seat from the world-famous manufacturer Evenflo and the SYMPHONY e3 DLX model belongs to a group of children's car seats that can be used from birth until the child reaches 12 years of age, while the maximum weight, as the manufacturer assures, can reach 49.8 kilograms.

The seat is equipped with internal seat belts for transporting children up to 30 kg, and if the child is larger, then safety is ensured by a standard belt, adjustable in any position. The patented Infinite Slide Harness technology allows you to set any angle of inclination and height of the back. The chair's cover and frame cushions are made of high-quality materials and can withstand up to 500 washes in a household washing machine.

Safety in the chair is ensured by the Energy cube technology, a three-layer absorbent that absorbs the force of any side impacts by up to 50%.

Installation of the seat is possible both against and in the direction of travel of the car, and depending on the method, only the mounting option changes.

The seat of this model occupies a leading position in the ratings of authoritative publications and companies conducting independent crash tests and is one of the few allowed to be used on vessels of any type.

Advantages

• Universal use at any age of the child.
• Easy backrest tilt and height adjustment.
• Unique three-layer absorbent technology.

Flaws

• High cost of the chair.

Cybex Solution Q-Fix

Cybex Solution Q-Fix is ​​a universal child car seat designed to transport small passengers weighing from 13 to 36 kilograms.

The innovative geometric shape of the body and the improved headrest make it possible to keep the child as safe as possible when traveling by car, and the safety certificate only confirms this. The design features of the seat do not provide for the presence of seat belts, and the child is secured using standard devices.

Thanks to its configuration, even with such minimal support, the chair remains motionless in its place. The versatility of this chair comes from the ability to transform the backrest into 11 height positions, 2 tilt positions and 3 headrest positions.

Maximum safety is provided by large headrests together with the L.S.P. side protection system. Plus, they extremely reduce most of the impact during an accident. And the provided housing ventilation system will not allow the baby to sweat or overheat while in the chair.

Advantages

• Versatility of the model.
• The ability to independently change the height and width of the seat.
• The presence of a ventilation function in the chair body.

Flaws

• Lack of standard seat belts.

Evenflo Momentum

As the company motto says, “Child safety is the main mission of Evenflo.”

An unsurpassed level of protection, comfort when placing a child in a seat, all this applies to the Momentum series chair. During the production of the chair, the facts were taken into account that every fourth accident occurs due to side impacts, therefore, during the production of this model, all the most stringent standards and rules were taken into account.

The patented SideImpact technology is used, which is capable of reducing the impact force by up to 50-60%, and the seat belt fixation system allows you to secure the seat belts at the required height. Quick-release covers allow you to wash them without removing belts and other restraints.

Advantages

• Relatively low price.
• Patented technologies to reduce the impact of side impacts.
• Height strap fixation system.

Flaws

• The seat is designed for a car with a large interior due to its dimensions.

The best children's car seats in the budget segment

As you can see for yourself, most of the above-mentioned child car seats are quite expensive, and not every family is able to allocate a significant part of their budget to these expenses. And it’s no secret that due to the difficult economic situation in the country and the rising dollar exchange rate, many chose to “tighten their belts.”

However, we could not ignore this situation and present the best children's car seats in the budget segment, which are much cheaper than their famous counterparts, but in terms of functionality they literally “step on your toes”.

Graco Junior Maxi

The first thing that will catch your eye when choosing this chair is the covers in the shape of Disney cartoon characters, which will certainly please any child’s eye, and a solid security system at a low price will not leave any parent unattended. The chairs of this model are intended for use by children aged 3 to 12 years, that is, from 15 to 36 kilograms.

The chair has all the necessary certificates, including ECE R44/03, confirming the passage of all tests in the safety class. The device is secured with standard belts through special marks on the chair, indicating the correct way to install it.

The back of the chair can change its tilt position, and the “growing” headrest in five positions will protect the child regardless of his height. Also, one of the features of the chair is the presence of cup holders that allow you to put a drink while driving. Budget chairs of this type will not fail to please any buyer.

Advantages

• Low cost.
• A large number of different colors.
• Availability of cup holders.
• Universal use of the chair.

Flaws

• Foam inserts are inconvenient to use.

Vixen 1-2-3

Model from Russian manufacturer VIXEN is intended for use by children weighing from 9 to 36 kilograms. The peculiarity of this model is that it is “tailored” for use in car interiors Russian production. This applies both to the overall dimensions and to the ability to quickly adjust the seat back in nine positions for the height of the headrest and five for the position of the seat belts. This device can be classified as a transformer, because it is easy to adapt to any weight and height of the baby. It is also very compact and can easily fit into the trunk of any car.

The seat frame is made of durable material that provides significant energy-saving properties, which minimizes the stress encountered during road accidents. Safety is also affected by increased protection of the head, neck and back.

Despite the fact that the chair belongs to the budget class, it confidently passed all tests, GOST and ECE R44/04 standards.

Advantages

• Domestic development.
• “Targeted” for the Russian auto industry.
• Universal adjustment of the backrest and headrest.

Flaws.

• The material of the chair is rough to the touch.

Nania I-max SP

A universal child car seat designed for children aged 1 to 12 years and weighing up to 36 kilograms. The chair has all the necessary safety certificates and has passed all tests over several years of testing. The child is secured using both internal and standard seat belts. For maximum comfort during the trip, a large headrest with a wide base is provided, which tightly holds the head and protects it as closely as possible during a side impact. The seat frame is molded from solid plastic, which can withstand significant loads during an accident.

The material from which the cover is made has a synthetic base, which washes well and is easy to wash.

Advantages

• Low cost.
• Possibility of using the chair for a child of any age.

Flaws

• According to the crash test results, the rating is “good”.
• There is no way to put the seat down.

Results

In order to understand whether your child has grown out of his chair, it is enough to pay attention to the following indicators:

• The baby's head protrudes more than 1/3 beyond the upper edge of the backrest.
• If the inner seat belts are located below the shoulders.
• When securing the baby with standard belts, they should not touch his neck and cervical spine.

Remember that no matter how good or the best child car seats you choose, the main thing is that they correct operation and strict adherence to all recommendations.

Transporting children in a car without a special holding device (called car seat), is prohibited by the Traffic Rules and is fraught with a fine. How to choose a car seat for a child and what to look for when choosing – advises the women’s website “Beautiful and Successful”.

Why are children's car seats needed and what are they?

It is clear that child car seats have one purpose - to provide child safety on the way.

While driving, anything can happen: sudden and strong braking, skidding of the car, and, unfortunately, accidents. How often they happen and how much more severe the consequences they have on our roads compared to Europe, probably, there is no need to explain to anyone.

Again, fasten your child using the seat belts provided in the car (they are called "regular") is possible only if it is already big. A small child cannot be secured securely enough with the belts or there is a risk that the belt will will have to be at neck level.

The problem of choosing a child car seat is relevant until the child turns 12 years(or if you focus on other parameters - until its growth reaches 1.5 meters, and weight – 36 kg).

To choose the right car seat for your child, you need to consider it age and weight.

Categories of child car seats by age and weight of the child

Group 0. Designed for newborns (up to 6-9 months, weight up to 10 kg). It's not so much a car seat as the cradle in which the baby lies. It is installed sideways in the back seat of the car. Fastening - using standard car seat belts.

Group 0+. Designed for children's age up to 1 year or up to 14-15 months(child’s weight is up to 13 kg). The child reclines in such a chair. This car seat is installed "backward" in the direction of travel.

Why exactly this way and not otherwise? When we decide the question “how to choose a car seat for a child,” the main thing that worries us is maintaining the child's health in any situation.

Therefore, we must remember that while the child’s spine is still forming and the bones are strengthening, the baby’s neck is still too weak and his head is heavy. And in any collision, it is precisely the position “against the direction of traffic” that will be for him the most secure.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that such a car seat has handle, which will make it much easier to move your baby from car to car.

Group 1. If the child is already one year old, he weight 9 kg or more, then we choose a Group 1 car seat for the baby. You can install such a car seat along the way, so that the child can already look out the window. You can adjust the backrest angle for sleep mode.

You can use this car seat for quite a long time - until your child’s weight reaches 18 kg and his height is almost 1 meter (this is approximately 4 years old).

In all three of the above groups, the child is fastened in a car seat internal seat belts(three- or five-point). Starting from the next group of car seats, fastening is carried out already standard seat belts car.

Group 2. How to choose a car seat for a child after 4 years? This is exactly Group 2 - car seats designed for weight up to 25 kg, age up to 6-7 years and height up to 120 cm. Here both the backrest and the headrest are adjustable. Since the child sits high enough in the car seat, he can clearly see the road out the window, and the car's seat belt will be fastened as it should - through the chest, and not the neck.

For older children, variations are possible.

Eat Group 3. It is designed for child weight from 22 to 36 kg, age up to 12 years, height up to 135 cm. There are so-called "boosters"- these are the seats themselves without a backrest, so they cannot be called a car seat.

We named above “classic” groups of car seats.

But since a car seat is quite an expensive thing, manufacturers came up with so-called hybrid models, which combine the characteristics of neighboring two or even three groups. This is how group 2-3 and even 1-2-3 car seats appeared. It is difficult to compare them with classical groups.

Therefore, if you decide to choose a car seat for a child of exactly this model, as they say, "for growth", Pay attention to the fact that the chair allows you to adjust the angle of the backrest, so that the internal belt can be unfastened over time so that the chair is roomy enough.

Types of securing child car seats in a car

Once you have chosen a car seat for your child, you learn how to install and secure it in the car. Securing a child car seat in a car is possible either using standard seat belts, or using Isofix systems. This system provides for guides with locks near the chair and built-in brackets near the car seat.

Check the availability of Isofix brackets in your car.

The advantage of this system is that it can be used to attach a child car seat. easy and convenient. The downside is that child car seats with Isofix mounts are more expensive.

But they can also be secured with regular seat belts if the car in which the car seat is placed is not equipped with the above-mentioned brackets.

Isofix is ​​a European system, there is also an American one Latch. The difference is that instead of guides there are belts with locks.

How to choose a car seat for a child: useful nuances

A car seat that fully complies with European safety standards must be marked ECE R 44. This is, in fact, the same one European standard , which regulates the characteristics of car seats.

There is no need to remind you how much and often everything that is within the reach of a small child gets dirty. It's great if you choose a car seat for your child that has removable cover, which can be washed in a washing machine.

How to choose a car seat for a child after one year without fitting? Do not focus only on weight-height-age indicators. Be sure to come to the store with your child and “measure” the car seat for the immediate user.

The child should feel comfortable in the chair, not too cramped. The backrest tilt in sleep mode should allow the child to recline, so that he can sleep comfortably during .

Copying this article is prohibited!

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 won't be much guidance here on which specific car seat model to choose, but I will list a number of key points to pay 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 it is precisely this small child who 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. Cervical vertebrae the child is not yet properly formed and the “nod” even during sudden braking, not to mention a real accident, can cause serious injury 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.

– There are strollers for many models of chairs 0+, 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.

The traffic rules of the Russian Federation clearly and clearly state that children weighing up to 36 kg (11-12 years old) can only be transported in a car in a special restraint device - a car seat. Moreover, it should be used not only when the child is on front seat, but also if the baby is riding in the back. Experienced motorists understand perfectly well that mother’s knees are poor protection for a baby in any emergency situation. And here you don’t need to be afraid of expenses, but you should worry about ensuring the maximum safety of your child while traveling in a car. Therefore, it is so important for parents who have personal transport to know how to choose a child car seat and what points to pay your closest attention to.

Types of child restraints

According to statistics, a large number of Russians prefer European car seat manufacturers. According to the ECE R44/03 Universal standard, child restraints are divided into 5 groups. They are classified according to the age and weight of the child.

Table “Groups of car seats depending on the weight and age of the child”

Main differences

For the little ones

Group 0 (child weight up to 10 kg)

This chair is a cradle where the baby is placed horizontally. Its main distinguishing feature is that the position of the cradle is fixed against the movement of the car, which allows parents to always have access to the child. The chair is secured with special straps.

Please note that some models can be used as part of a stroller. In turn, some strollers are sold with a cradle that simultaneously functions as a car seat.

The only disadvantage of this group of car seats is that children grow quickly, so you can’t use cradle-shaped restraints for so long.

Group 0 - cradle

Group 0+ (child weight up to 13 kg)

In the car seat of this group, the baby is in a semi-lying position, and for infants there is a special insert that evenly distributes the load on the child’s neck and spine. The seat is placed facing the direction of travel, which provides additional protection for the baby’s musculoskeletal system during sudden braking.

Like any other, child car seats of group 0+ are attached to the car seat using a special strap or base. The base makes it easy to carry the child, since it allows the chair to be easily removed. With its help, the car seat can just as easily be attached to the stroller chassis.

For children aged 1-4 years

Car seats from one to four years old belong to group I (weight - from 9 to 18 kg). Children in such chairs sit facing the road. For fixation, special tables or five-point straps are provided.

For children aged 3-12 years

For this age category of children (weighing 15-36 kg), groups II-III car seats are suitable. To secure the child’s position, a three-point belt is used here, the components of which pass through the guides. Group II, intended for children from 3 to 7 years old, is allocated separately, and with regard to safety, this, in comparison with restraint devices of the third group, is a more preferable option (due to the presence of a backrest). But, as a rule, it is not widely used. The reason is finances. Car seats of the third group are more in demand.

Third group

If the child's weight is from 22 to 36 kilograms, you can give preference to car seats made of group III. They are made in the form of a seat, but with a missing back.

The main advantage of such chairs is their low cost. But experts are of the opinion that they do not fully ensure safety, since they are produced without a back and walls. Keep this in mind.

Group 3 (booster)

Universal chairs

Universal chairs are designed for children of any age. Therefore, for greater convenience, manufacturers have combined group 0+ with I, as well as II with I, or III with II. There are various options.

The specificity of universal car seats is that their size is easily adjustable; some include inserts for adjusting the volume. There are also models where the five-point seat belt is removable.

Of course, it will be more economical to purchase a universal car seat than to buy a seat based on age and weight all the time. But at the same time, the safety of the child will suffer in one way or another when transporting him in a car.

Universal car seat group 2-3 (9-36 kg)

1. The very first thing to note when buying a child car seat is that your child’s weight matches the specific group. Therefore, before going to the store, be sure to weigh your baby.
2. When you have already made your choice on one option or another, pay attention to the presence of the “ECE R44/03” marking. It indicates that the chair meets the requirements international standards
3. , which means it can provide maximum security.
4. It is best to go to the store with your child, since the car seat will be chosen specifically for him. You can also find out on the spot whether it is comfortable for your baby. If the age of your little one is no more three years
5. , then it should be possible for him to sleep while traveling in a car. Please note whether the backrest can be adjusted. Before the baby turns 3 years old, the seat belts on the car seat should be five-point (five-point) or Y-shaped, but located with inside
6. . This method of fastening will protect the child from injuries to the musculoskeletal system and internal organs in the event of an accident.
7. It is very important to pay attention to the fastening of the straps in the crotch area. Usually they are fastened with a buckle in the form of a lock, which connects the other parts. The padding of this buckle should be soft and made of fabric. In case of emergency, it is the area of ​​these straps that bears the main load, so the fastening here must be strong and wide, only then the baby will not get injured. And what can we say about how important it is to pay attention to this moment when your baby is a future man.
8. You also need to remember that not only the child for whom it is intended should try on the seat, but it must also be suitable specifically for your car. Remember: the car seat should be easy to install and dismantle by all family members who will travel with the child.
9. The seat belts, made in the form of a buckle, should not be weak - the baby should not be able to open them independently.
10. Special protection must be provided for the head, as well as the neck-collar area. It is located on the side and absorbs side impacts.
11. Determining whether the baby has outgrown the old chair is quite simple. For all groups starting from the first: the child’s head should not extend beyond the top edge of the seat back by more than 1/3 or beyond the point where the belts exit.
12. If this condition is not met, change the car seat. This rule does not apply to seats where the baby sits rearward, since the seat belts are located below the shoulders.

There is no universal chair that will suit absolutely all children. Your child will have at least two. Prepare for this mentally and financially.

Never buy or even think about buying a used child seat! There is no guarantee that it has not been in an accident or does not have any damage or other defects that appeared during use by the previous owners.

Video “How to choose a child car seat” - Malysheva

ADAC, known as the German motorists' union, tested child car seats from different manufacturers. Based on the testing results, the best ones were determined.

Table “Best manufacturers of child car seats according to ADAS”

I would like to note that universal-type chairs, no matter how economical and practical they are, have not yet shown high results in ensuring safety, regardless of the model and country of manufacture. But the choice is always yours.