Overview of Car Seats

Choosing the right car seat is a desicion worth taking a little time over. It will become a familiar resting place for your baby and something that you'll spend plenty of time lifting, carrying and fitting into place. Buying the best car seat (accordingly to your budget) is one of investment you'll need to do for your baby's safety when they are out and about in the car. They are a few types/groups of car seat according to your baby's age and weight. You definitely will be buying at least 2 car seats (just like I did) if not more.

Zara enjoying herself in her car seat

The types of car seat:

• Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)-Its suitables from birth until age 6/15 months approx (0-10/15kg)
• Group 1 (Toddler)- Its suitable from 9 months-4 years approx (9-18kg)
• Group 2,3 (Junior)- Its suitable from 4-11 years approx (15-36kg)
• Group 1,2,3 (Toddler/Junior)- Its suitable from 9 momths-11 years approx (9-36kg). This was the one I bought for Zara (picture above)

There are a couple of things that you should think about before buying a car seat,

1. Its never a good idea to buy a second-hand car seat. It may have been involved in an accident/sustained damage and wear and tear that will reduce its efficacy.
2. When it comes to buying, its the weight and not the age that matters. If your baby below or above the recommended wieght range for the seat, it may then not offer the best possible protection.
3. Always check that you know how to fit the car seat by yourself to correct position and the seat is fitted correctly.
4. NEVER put a child in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults but can have opposite effect on children.
5. Keep babies in rear facing infant carrier car seat as long as possible (until baby reaches their maximum weight range). They offer the best protection for smaller babies by supporting their head and neck.

Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)

• This type offers the best protection for smaller babies and its a rear facing car seat.
• Comes handy with the handle to lift and carry the baby around.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture/base. (eg: ISO fix)
• Some types could be fitted directly on to the strollers which would be handy when baby asleeps. Baby could be transfered into the car without any dissturbance.
• Usually with padded seat liner and will be soft and cosy for baby to snug in.
• Ours came free with the stroller.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 0/0+ car seat is the picture on the right

 Group 1 (Toddler)

• This is foward  facing car seat could give your child a better view.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture. (eg: ISO fix)
• Could come in with 3 points or 5 points harness/safety belts.
• Make sure that you baby has full neck and body support and the baby is comfortable on the car seat.
• Make sure that your toddler's head and body is well support in the car seat.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 1 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 2,3 (Junior)

• A forward facing car seat for your junior's safety.
• This group of car seat will only need adult seatbelts to secure them in place.
• You could either buy the junior car seat or only the booster seat. However, it is recommended that the child has full body and neck support. ( In this group, I would think it's better to buy junior car seat with high back support)
• However, booster seat is ideal for travel or back up option (eg: Grandparents' car or for unexpected situations) as it is small and handy to carry.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 2,3 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 1,2,3 (toddler/Junior)

• This type of car seat I bought for BabyZara as I was thinking, if I heva to change the car seat for at least 2 times more, why not buy the one which would last until she's 12.
• This car seat could be transformed into junior car seat just by taking off the safety harness. 
• As for my BabyZara car seat, it comes with safety cushion instead of safety harness. When she is big enough I would take off the safety cushion and viola! she would have the junior car seat. (and we don't have to buy her a new car seat, saves us some bucks!)
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Examples of Group 1,2,3 car seats are in the picture on the right and the picture on the very first (BabyZara and her car seat)

So there you go, an overview of car seat group and types. I hope this will help you in anyway in choosing and buying the best car seat for your baby.