Car seat for baby: how to navigate?
To help parents find their way through the jungle of car seats, they are classified according to different categories, ranging from 0 to 3. In this area, the legislation is clear: by car, a child must be installed on safety equipment until it is ten years old.
A seat adapted from an early age
Upon leaving the maternity ward, place baby in a suitable seat. This one must be of category: 0 (which goes from birth at 10 months), 0+ (up to 13 months) or 0 + / 1 (up to 4 years, or 18 kg). Then, it will change.
You will then opt for a group 1 model (9 to 18 kg, or 9 months to 4 years) or classified 1-2-3 (9 to 36 kg, or 9 months to 10 years). Category 2-3 is for toddlers aged 2 to 10 years (15 to 36 kg).
Which model to choose?
To the birth, install baby in the basket of his pram (group 0) or in a seat shell (group 0+). The nacelle is especially adapted in case of long journey. Baby is lying down and can sleep peacefully. On the other hand, the duration of use of a shell seat should not exceed 1h30. It is back to the road, either at the rear of the vehicle or next to the driver. In this case, be sure to deactivate the passenger airbag if your car has one. The nacelle, it is installed along the back seat.
Even if the travel chair or group 1 car seat is suitable for children 8 months, it is recommended to wait 12 months before using it. Baby will indeed have a better back and will be able to sit alone. This evolutive seat is installed at the rear of the car, facing the road. Just like the 2-3 group seats, 1-2-3, and the group 3 booster seats (from 25 to 36 kg).
Mandatory registration
Whatever model is chosen, it must be approved and correspond to European standards. To do this, make sure that a letter E surrounded by a circle appears on your car seat. It means that the safety device complies with European law.
In addition, if you plan to travel in different vehicles, make sure that the car seat reads "Universal". It can then be used in all cars.
Finally, do not forget to provide toys and a blanket for the road. Remember to take regular breaks to allow your children to let off steam and the family to travel in peace.
