Buying an Isofix Carseat
When it comes to buying a carseat, it’s difficult to get your head around all the jargon surrounding it and understanding what all these different groups or stages mean. The different groups or stages correspond to the weight of your child and if you get this wrong you could be violating the EU laws which detail appropriate guidelines to which we must all adhere to when fitting carseats to use for children, they are as follows;
It must be suitable for the child’s weight and size (This means you must select the correct group when buying a carseat).
Is correctly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Must adhere to the standards that the EU have put in place.
Isofix seats are grouped into the following categories;
Group 0
Group 0+
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
These different different groups correspond to what stage of growth or weight your child is ensuring that your child is in the safest possible child restraint available.
Group 0 and 0+ are often grouped together because many carseats or child restraints in that category are suitable for both weights. Group 0 is suitable for children up to 10Kg (22 pounds) or from ages 6 - 9 months. Group 0+ is suitable for children up to 13Kg (29 pounds) or from ages 12 - 15 months. The difference between these two groups are negligible and as I mentioned before many carseats are suitable for group 0 and 0+.
Group 0 and 0+ are Rearward facing Baby Seats, they can be used in both front and back seats of the car. However it is illegal to place the carseat in the front passenger seat if there is an airbag as it could harm the child. The benefits of using a rear facing Isofix seat in comparison with a front facing seat is that your child will be protected significantly more around it’s spine, neck and head as they are all rested against the carseat rather than having to support it themselves, it’s because of this that we recommend that you keep the child in a rear facing seat for as long as possible until they exceed the weight limit or if your child’s head is higher than the top of the seat. Only then should you move the child to a forward facing car seat.
Group 1 is a forward facing child seat that’s suitable for children weighing from 9 - 18 Kilograms or from ages 9 months to 4 years old. However it’s recommended that if your child is smaller then you should buy a rearward facing Isofix seat since your child has better support for their back, neck and skull during journeys. Once they have outgrown the rear facing seat this is the best option.
When looking for a forward facing carseat, it’s best to use one with an internal harness, since the seat and harness take up a large area, it can minimise the risk of injury to your child if there should be an accident. A bottom attachment in between the child’s legs is also recommended and is present on most group 1 Isofix carseats, this helps the child from slipping down during transport and ensure that they do not go under or out of the harness itself.
In terms of practicality a forward facing child seat is great and can be used in the passenger seat of a car or at the back, however it’s not recommended to put the child in the front passenger seat if there is an airbag in the front as your child could easily be hurt by it.
Following the logic of the group 0 carseats, it’s safer to keep children in this class of carseat until they ultimately outgrow it as it ensures the best type of fit for the child. Of course if your child outgrows the seat by the top of their head being higher than the top of the seat or if they have exceeded the maximum weight capacity of the seat. Then it’s possible to move your child to a booster seat.
Isofix Booster seats fall into groups 2 and 3, group 2 is suitable for children weighing from 15 - 25kg (33 - 55 pounds) or from around the age of age of 4 to 6. Group 3 is suitable for children weighing between 33 - 36Kg (48 - 79 pounds) Booster seats that only fit in one of these categories are no longer in production because many modern booster seats are designed with both categories in mind. However there are some booster seats that are just approved for Group 3, you should always double check to see if your child meets the specific requirements for the booster seat or booster cushion.
Some booster seats are designed in such a way that the seat can be converted into a cushion by detaching the back rest of the seat, be aware that not all do this and you should consult the seat’s appropriate manual before attempting this. You should also make sure that your child is old enough to do this.
Some booster seats don’t have an integral harness, making you use an adult seat belt to keep the child in place, please keep in mind that the belt goes around both the child and the seat. It’s important that the adult seat belt is properly configured and is as tight as possible. The belt should go over the child’s pelvis and the diagonal strap should be placed around the child’s shoulder and not their neck.
When children make the transition between forward facing Isofix carseats to booster seats and cushions it’s recommended that you select something whith a back or side wings, also with selected models of booster seat there may be an adjustable back which can be adjusted as the child grows.
Those are all the types of Isofix carseat available to you through isofix, remember that your child’s safety is always paramount and you should aways double check before purchase that you have selected the right group of carseat for your child.
