Choosing a child car seat from 9 to 18 kg

Car manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the safety of drivers and passengers, making the car's body stronger, improving airbags and belts. However, all supporting elements that are responsible for protecting adult passengers do not work when it comes to children. Therefore, caring parents get special car seats, designed to ensure the safety and comfort of the kids on the road.

All such products are divided into categories depending on the age and weight of the child. This article will tell you how to choose a baby car seat for a baby weighing from 9 to 18 kg.

Some parents believe that a car seat is a waste of money. They transport babies in one of three ways:

• on hands;
• with a belt fastened in the usual way;
• with a seat belt under your child’s armpit.

However, crash tests conducted by many organizations have proved the danger of all these methods.

• When a car collides, the weight force of objects and people increases 30 times. In this case, neither the mother nor the father will be able to keep the child sitting in her arms.
• The belt, fastened in the usual way, passes in front of the neck. In case of an accident, the probability of damage to the baby's cervical vertebrae increases, because the children's organism is very fragile.
• An armpit strap can damage the chest of a small passenger in a collision.

Thus, the safest way to transport children are car seats. The design protects the child's body from all sides. It can prevent various fractures and even a head injury with sudden braking and serious accidents. Particularly important lateral protection, which is provided by special bumpers.

Many models in addition to the standard elements responsible for safety, include additional options that increase the comfort of the child. Thanks to this, parents can take the baby with them even on long trips.

Modern manufacturers represent a huge variety of children's car seats, so it can be difficult for parents to make the right choice.

Most of the car seats are divided into two groups:

• 0 group - for children up to 9-11 months, weighing up to 9 kg;

• 1 group - for children from 11-12 months, weighing from 9 to 18 kg.

To select a suitable car seat, you need to take into account some points.

• The age of the child (manufacturers indicate the approximate age of young passengers for each model).
• Weight (need to navigate and the weight of the child, as companies take for example, lean children).
• Growth (these data are also listed on the label). Moreover, if there is an opportunity, it is better to “try on” the chair, since the child’s head should be lower than the upper limit of the back of the product.
• The weight of the model.
• Fabric (it is desirable to choose products from high-quality "breathable" fabric).
• The possibility of removing the fabric cover for its subsequent washing.
• Availability of expertise (crash test chair) is a great bonus that increases the credibility of the brand.
• Product Reviews.
• The presence of additional adjustment (the ability to change the position of the chair so that the child can sit or sleep comfortably).
• Availability of comfortable, non-rigid overlays on the belts.

Children's car seats are made mainly of two materials: plastic (this makes the design easy and convenient to transport) and metal (such options are much harder, but much safer).

Structures are fastened in two ways.

• The automobile belt is passed through the back of the child seat frame, and the baby is fastened with internal safety belts embedded in the design. This method is suitable for newborns and babies.

• Designs for more adult children are fixed on a standard belt built into the car. He passes through the chair and easily fastens the little passenger.

The usual fastener located on the inside of the chair consists of 5 parts. The maximum degree of inclination of the structure should be twenty-five or thirty degrees. If you find a chair with a recumbent position, then consider the risk of a possible accident. Such mechanisms shift the angles of pressure, and this reduces the safety of the structure. Of course, the car seat should be comfortable for the child, but the main task of this product is still not convenience, but safety.

There are varieties of automotive designs, including a table. The price of such models is much less than the cost of options with internal fastening, since the main focus here is on a regular belt in the car. Internal belts are also available here, but they are intended more for the convenience of the baby. These seats do not have tilt adjustment, but they are able to repeat the curves of the seats of the vehicles on which they are installed.

An important aspect of choosing a suitable car seat is the study of products of well-known brands, tested by buyers. Consider the characteristics of the best products of companies that occupy the first places in the ranking of manufacturers of car seats.

King 2 is one of the most popular models of the German brand. It has several color options. Fastening design is a car belt. The shape that provides maximum comfort, tilt adjustment, a removable cover, 5-point straps and a stylish design are the characteristics of this product.

The light system mechanism controls the tension of the belts, giving two signals: sound and light. The price of the model is about 20,000 rubles.

TriFix is ​​the best model of this brand, according to most buyers. It differs in the improved technical characteristics. This model is obliged by its reliability and safety to the Isofix system, which in a collision extinguishes the force of impact by jerking down. Only after that the chair goes forward, with less force.

Anchor inner belt has a zigzag stitch, which makes it even more reliable. 4 rectangular polystyrene foam elements are inserted into the body, which reduce the chance of injury in the car seat. The cover is removed. The product is soft, carefully protects the child from all sides.

The price of this model is about 28,000 rubles. This cost is fully justified by the level of product performance and the guarantee of the safety of the young passenger.

Model Taurus V2 from this brand has a concise design. The product is available upholstered in fabric and eco-leather. The second option is more practical, but less comfortable. A big plus of this model is the stretching of the belts by 98 cm, which adds to the comfort when planting a child in outerwear. The product is fixed with a regular belt. The price of this model is about 7,000 rubles.

The Tobi model differs from this producer in high landing. The baby has a good view, it is comfortable for him to sit in a chair, but there is also a minus in this characteristic. Regarding an adult child in a car with a low roof will be uncomfortable, because his head will be too high. Suffering and the level of lateral protection.

Another drawback of this model is the complex installation, the principle of which is not very clear is set out in the instructions. However, the product is a success.The chair is soft, comfortable, equipped with the ability to adjust the positions. The belts of the model are equipped with a springing system, which facilitates the embarkation and disembarkation of the child from the car seat. You need to pay about 22000 rubles for this model.

The Cybex model stands out for a low price (about 14,000-15,000 rubles). That is why this option is considered by many to be the best in the first category. Fastening is carried out by a regular belt. In the inner part of the product there is a built-in table. The chair has no tilt options, but can be adjusted to sleep with the car seat, repeating its shape.

Any of the mechanisms can be positioned both in the front and in the back seat. If you decide to put the car seat in front, it is important to observe a number of measures to protect the baby:

• it is advisable to disable the airbag (if the seat is installed against the move, then shutdown is necessary);
• if the seat is in the direction of travel, and the airbag is on, then you should move the seat back, trying to compensate for the overhang of the car seat.

Designs of the first group are most often installed in the direction of travel. Do not worry because of the small circle of the review. A child sitting in such a mechanism rarely looks out the window, turning 90 degrees.

Regardless of which part of the car the design will stand in, it is better to give preference to models with side reinforced frames in the head area. This will protect the baby from injury in case of possible side collisions.

Many parents pay attention not only to the level of security, but also to the appearance of the car seats, wanting to purchase a model with an interesting color scheme. You can choose a model of neutral beige color, which will be perfectly combined with any car upholstery.

An interesting option with a table in a bright orange color.

Saturated-red model is suitable for a more adult child. This chair will decorate the interior of any car.

To learn how to properly install a child car seat, see the following video.