Angelina and Brad may have whisked their twins out of the hospital in Nice via helicopter, but at some point, even these two megastars will need to get themselves a good ‘ole car seat. Car seats are one of the most important investments you’ll make for your child, from infancy until they are school-aged and ready for a car booster seat and later for an adult seat belt.
It’s sometimes daunting to know where to begin, but understanding a few simple guidelines will help make this important purchase a little easier. Overall it’s important to remember a few golden rules before you even begin the car seat hunt: don’t be swayed simply by price as a more expensive seat is not always a better one; never use an old or used seat when you are unsure of where it came from; don’t consider using a damaged seat or one that is missing parts, even if it ‘looks fine’; and always follow instructions, even if you feel sure that you know how to install the seat.
From there, the first place to get started is with an infant-only and rear-facing seat. Infants need to ride facing the back until they are one year of age and at least 20 pounds in weight. While it’s possible then to move to a forward-facing model, experts recommend that a child remain rear-facing as long as possible. There are a number of brands and models on the market, Maxi Cosi, Britax and Graco all have good models that will run you from £50 - £100. The Maxi Cosi, in particular, comes in a lot of bright colours. You can also opt for a base that stays in your car and a seat that snaps in, so you can take your infant in and out of the car without waking him or her.
Forward-facing and booster seats will take a child from one year through until they are big enough to wear a seatbelt properly at age 7 or 8. A forward-facing seat can run from £50 to over £200. The Maxi Cosi Priorifix, for instance, which is around £230 but contains cool features such as a colour indicator which shows immediately whether a seat has been installed correctly or not. Or, for around £140, the Britax Explora STS Seat which automatically tenses the belt so you know it’s as snug as can be.
After the car seat phase, there are still a number of safety rules to follow. Children who have grown out of their booster seats should use a lap and shoulder belt. Most experts also recommend that children continue to ride in the back until they are 13 years old.
