Choosing the right car seat for your child’s age and stage

Buying a car seat is an important investment so it pays to do your research before you jump right in. The first thing you want to consider is safety first so look at reliable, quality brands that reach Australian Standards, such as Britax. Next, you need to factor in your lifestyle and family needs.

Here, we look at choosing the right car seat for your child’s age and stage – from newborn to eight years old – plus how your lifestyle may influence your choice.

Lifestyle factors to think about when choosing a car seat

There are several factors to take into account when choosing a high-quality car seat for your growing family.

• How many children do you have? If this is your first child you probably don’t need to factor in the width of the car seat as it won’t be competing for space. Subsequent children mean less space in the car, so slim designs make good choices later on.
• Do you move car seats between cars? If grandparents or carers are going to be transporting your little one, you’ll want to choose the most portable car seat that suits all parties and make sure it fits safely into both cars. Or you might opt to buy more than one car seat for your baby, particulary if your parents take care of other little family members.
• Type of car Some car seats have a long base and don’t fit well in both the rearward and foward-facing positions. Consider where you want the seat to to go – behind the passenger seat is usually the first position. If you have more than one child, then various configurations will need to be considered.
• Do you go out a lot? If you need to use your car a lot, you might be best suited to a capsule for the first car seat as they can be attached to strollers.
• Transporting others Giving lifts to friends or family members might influence your car seat choice if you need to add a booster, for example.
• Budget This is a big one, of course. Choosing a capsule for 12 months might seem like a good idea, but look at your budget to determine if it’s more cost-effective in the long run if you buy a newborn to four-year-old convertible seat.
• Expecting a low-birth weight baby Mostly, low-birth weight babies come as a surprise, but if you have forewarning, choose a capsule that has been tested and approved for use with premature and low birth weight (without restrictive medical conditions) children such as the Britax Safe-n-Sound Unity ISOFIX.

Newborn capsule: 0-12 months (approx)

Taking your newborn home from hospital is a Big Deal and you want your baby’s first ride in a car to be safe and comfortable. Many parents opt for a baby capsule for the first six to 12 months as they are easy to transport in and out of the car for a mum on-the-go and protect even the smallest babies. Also check that the capsule reaches Australian Standards – it’s illegal to sell non-AS car seats in Australian stores, but double check the details if buying online.

Britax Safe-n-Sound Unity Isofix Baby Capsule is the only car seat in Australia that has been tested and approved for premature or low birth weight babies without restrictive medical conditions, making it a reassuring choice – especially for first-time parents.

Convertible car seats: 0-4 years (approx)

For second or subsequent chidren, parents often feel more comfortable bypassing a baby capsule and opting for a convertible car seat. This style of seat allows your loved one to face rearwards two to three years longer – a choice that you don’t have with a newborn capsule.

Britax Safe-n-Sound b-first ClickTight Convertible Car Seat is the only newborn to four years car seat in Australia that has the ClickTight Installation system, which ensures you have a safe installation every time. The angle of the car seat is important too, to ensure your baby’s head is supported properly, and this seat has a rearward facing level indicator so you can double check that it’s at the correct angle.

The Britax convertible seat also has ventilation zones in the rearward position, which means Baby has a good airflow around them at all times. In addition, this seat is the only in its category that has side impact cushions that help to protect your little one in the event of a side collision.

As well as looking for safety and comfort, look for car seat fabrics that are easy to clean!

Harnessed car seats: 6 months – 8 years (approx)

First-time parents sometimes find they’re ready to move their baby out of a capsule earlier than 12 months, in which case a car seat that lasts from six months through to eight years (the legal age in Australia) is a smart move.

A harnessed car seat for this age range is designed to last a long time, so it’s worth looking at one that has memory foam for comfort and an XL seating capacity. Side impact cushions that protect Bub’s head and torso in the event of a side-on accident are also a huge plus.

Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight is the only one of its kind in Australia that has the ClickTight Installation sytem for correct installation every time. Its unique adjustable Grow-With-You adjustable crotch buckle and headrest mean that you don’t have to uninstall the car seat to make changes as your child grows.

This can be a great car seat for grandparents’ or carer’s use or for a second family car as it can be adjusted to grow with your child.

Booster seats: 4 – 10 years (approx)

Less expensive than the car seats that you need for the crucial earliest years, booster seats can be used in Australia from four years of age and up. While children have to be in appropriate car seat up to the age of eight, a booster seat can be a great way to keep your child safer for longer – especially if they are on the slight side.

The Britax Safe-n-Sound Kid Guard Booster Seat is the only one in Australia that has been tested and approved for children up to the age of 10. It’s also a solid option because the base and wings of the booster seat can be adjusted to grow with your child. It’s comfortable, easy to install and remove from the car, which makes it the perfect choice for a multi-car family, extended family and child carers as your child grows.