The stork is ready to land in the maternity ward, bringing along the new member of the family, and preparations for its arrival are expected to peak. Undoubtedly, the list of essentials is long, but among the most important items is the child car seat. This seat will be necessary from the first moment of leaving the maternity ward. After all, according to the law, their use in Europe is mandatory until the age of 12 or until a height of 150 centimeters and a weight of over 36 kilograms (Law 2696, Articles 12 and 33). Let us be prepared in every way, choosing the appropriate child car seat for each stage of our little one's development.

Categories of child car seats

To choose the child car seat that suits your needs, there is a wide range of options, with many different features. If you want to see our own suggestions, you can also read our guide to the best child car seats for every need.

Child car seats are divided according to the following criteria:

• The child's weight for which it is suitable

• The child's height for which it is suitable

• The ability to orient it when installing it in the car

• The ADAC rating that each seat has achieved

Weight criterion

The seat must always match the child's weight. After all, every child car seat was designed and approved with this criterion in mind and complies with the European regulation ECE R 44/04.

It is important to choose the appropriate according to your little passenger's weight, in order to provide the necessary safety during transport in the car. 

The table below shows the categorization according to the child's weight and age. 

There are car seats that belong to more than one group and can meet our needs for a longer period of time (e.g. Group 0,0+,1/ Group 1,2/ Group 1,2,3/ Group 0,0+,1,2)

Height criterion

This factor was based on i-Size which is a European safety standard for child car seats, based on the child’s height (regulation R44/04) rather than weight, and constitutes the first stage of the new European regulation R129, to ensure the correct fit of the child seat and maximum safety during transport in a car.

The table below shows the categorization according to the child’s height, weight, and age. 

Orientation criterion

Depending on the orientation option that the child seat has when installed in the car, we can distinguish the following categories:

1. Rear-facing car seats

They are exclusively placed facing backwards. Such orientation should definitely be the first seat. According to recent pediatric research, it is recommended to choose seats facing backwards until the age of two or until the child exceeds the maximum allowable weight for the seat, as at such a young age the child's neck is not fully developed. Thus, body posture is supported while the head, neck, and spine of the child are more effectively protected in the event of a collision, as the forces are distributed more uniformly throughout the child's body. They are lightweight, portable, and equipped with three or five-point safety belts. Some rear-facing seats can be used as a relax or are suitable for fitting onto strollers. Seats in this category fall under groups 0 and/or 0+.

2. Reversible car seats

Car seats that can be installed either rear-facing or forward-facing are known as "multidirectional" seats. Their main characteristic is their ability to adapt to the child's growth, covering more stages than fixed rear-facing seats. They are usually larger in size compared to simpler rear-facing seats. It is important to note that it is recommended to face them forward after the child reaches two years old. If you choose such a seat for an infant, it is important to ensure that it has a five-point harness for additional safety. Multidirectional seats usually belong to groups 0, 0+ and/or 1, covering various heights and weights of children.

3. Forward-facing car seats

They are exclusively forward-facing in the car. Some of these seats do not have their own seat belt, but use the car's seat belt to secure the child. Additionally, some of these models can be converted into booster seats as the child grows and needs to use a regular seat belt. Seats in this category usually belong to one or more of the following groups: Group 1, 2, and/or 3. These categories cover various weight and height ranges for children and offer options for their safe transportation in the car as they grow.

4. Booster seats

Car seats that are installed exclusively facing forward, are used to properly raise the child, allowing them to use the car’s seat belt like adults. Some of these seats are equipped with armrests for greater comfort and safety. They usually belong to one or more of the following groups: Group 2 and/or 3, depending on their features. These seats aim to provide the necessary support and safety for children who have outgrown the child seat stage and are ready to use the car’s seat belt in a new way. You will often find them under the name Booster.

If we choose to place the child car seat in the front passenger seat, we must necessarily deactivate the corresponding airbag.

Placement criterion

1. ISOfix

ISOFIX is an innovative system that simplifies the installation and securing of child car seats in the car. Instead of using traditional seat belts, it offers a simple and safe way to install the seat using special brackets that connect directly to the car base. This ensures that the child seat is firmly secured, reducing the risk of incorrect installation. ISOFIX also offers greater safety for children, as the seat will not detach from its base in the event of an accident. It is an important step toward safer transportation of children in cars and a technological advancement that makes life easier for parents and provides extra protection for young passengers.

The child car seat is connected to the car base using special mounting connectors located on the seat frame. Cars manufactured from 2011 onward are required to have these special connectors. 

More specifically, the Isofix system uses the following anchoring points.

• Two ISO Anchors: These are located on the rear seat of the car and are usually identified by the metal or plastic symbols shaped like a hook. These anchors are used to securely fasten the child seat base.
• A Top Tether Connection: The Top Tether is an additional connection used in some ISOFIX child seats. This connection tilts the seat backward and provides extra stability.
• The ISOFIX Support Leg: This is an adjustable base that attaches to the child seat and rests on the car floor. Its role is to provide extra stability and support to the seat, preventing it from moving forward in the event of an accident or sudden braking.

2. With the help of the car's seat belts

Child car seats that use the seat belt, are also an excellent choice for transporting children in the car. These seats rely on the traditional method of using the seat belt, to secure the child and can be installed in any car, providing reliable protection.

ADAC rating criterion 

The ADAC rating criterion for child car seats is an evaluation system used by the German Automobile Club (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) to assess the safety and performance of child car seats. 

ADAC ratings are reliable and are based on strict tests conducted with the child seats in real-world conditions. These tests include the following criteria: 

• Safety (50%)

• Functions (40%)

• Ergonomics (10%) 

This means that not only the safety of the seat is evaluated, but also ease of use for the parent, comfort for your little one, and proper installation. The ratings assigned to car seats range on a scale, with higher ratings indicating higher safety and performance and serving as a useful tool for parents and caregivers looking for the right child car seat. Below is the ACAB ranking scale with the corresponding symbols, so that you can identify it on the label. 

Car Compatibility

Before purchasing the child seat, you should make sure that it is compatible with your car. Seats that are suitable for almost all car models are characterized as Universal, as opposed to those characterized as Restricted, Semi-Universal, and Vehicle Specific, which are intended for more specific models. Compatibility refers to the ability of the child seat to be properly installed and secured in the specific car.

The proper installation of the child seat in the car is crucial for the safety of your child. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for both the child seat and your car, and make sure the seat is securely fastened before starting the journey.

Certifications - Child Seat Labels

All approved child seats from the European Union meet the European standards described in the relevant regulations. According to these regulations, they are categorized, their compatibility with vehicles is checked, and their performance in safety tests, including frontal and rear collisions, is evaluated. Therefore, you should be able to look for the indications to ensure that the child car seat complies with European specifications. Specifically, child seats that comply with the aforementioned regulations have a label in the form of:

Expiration Date and Maintenance Instructions

Maintaining child car seats is critical for the safety of young passengers in the car. Below you will find some important information regarding the maintenance of child car seats:

1. Expiration date of materials: Every child car seat has an expiration date which is indicated on the seat label. If it is not stated, you can find the date of manufacture, which is usually located on the back of the seat and indicates when the seat should be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is a fact that many parents are unaware that they should not be used for more than 6-10 years, depending of course on the model and the manufacturer. Construction materials, such as plastic and polystyrene, deteriorate and change over time and due to weather conditions. For this reason, it is recommended not to buy used child car seats unless you are sure they have not exceeded the recommended lifespan. Buying a new seat ensures that the product is in excellent condition and can provide the maximum possible safety for your child.
2. Seat inspection: You should check the child seat regularly for wear, tears, damage, or other defects. If you notice any of these problems, you should replace the seat immediately. In addition, if you are involved in an accident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that the seat be replaced, as it may have sustained internal damage that is not visible.
3. Cleaning: Clean the child seat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a mild detergent and lukewarm water to clean the fabrics. Avoid using strong detergents or chemicals that may damage the materials.  The seat fabric is recommended to be cotton, so that the child's back sweats less, especially during the summer months, and to be removable so it can be washed, for hygiene reasons. For greater convenience, you can equip yourself with a seat liner that will keep your seat clean.  
4. Storage: When the child seat is not in use, store it in a dry and cool place, away from extreme temperatures and sunlight.

#SkroutzTips

• Recline - We adjust the recline properly so that the child’s head does not fall forward while sleeping. Some models allow the recline to be adjusted when the child is already seated, while others require it to be set before placing the child in the seat.
• Metal parts of the seat - We make sure the child does not come into physical contact with the metal parts of the seat, which may overheat when the car is exposed to the sun and cause burns. Let’s prefer car accessories such as cover for the seat or sunshade for the windows when the car is parked, so as to reduce the overheating of the seat.
• Seat belts - The seat belts of the seat must be properly adjusted for the child. They should be tight enough so that no more than one or two fingers can fit between the belt and the child’s chest. If we use the adult seat belt to secure the child, then its horizontal part should pass over the pelvis (and not the stomach), while its diagonal part should pass over the shoulder (and not the neck). We always make sure the seat belts are not twisted and check that they are properly fastened. 
• Seat slippage check - After completing the installation, let’s try to move the child seat by holding it from the points where it is secured to the car. A correct installation should not allow it to move more than two centimeters in any direction.
• Baby on board: Get the Baby on board sign you like. As road safety experts point out, beyond the obvious meaning, namely that other drivers should be careful around the vehicle carrying a baby, when the relevant sign is present, in the event of an accident rescue teams know that they must first take care of freeing and securing the baby.
• It is important to choose a child car seat that meets strict safety standards and to install it according to the instructions of the manufacturer and your car.
• We use the child car seat for every single trip. Regardless of the type of child seat, children’s safety in the car is always a priority.