Choosing the right child seat? What to look out for?

There are many different child seats from different manufacturers. Finding the right fit can therefore prove to be not that easy.

Many criteria must be observed in order to find a seat that offers the highest level of safety for your child. Please inform yourself sufficiently about the different seats, the conditions of use and how the seats are secured in the car.

This article addresses the most common questions that come up when looking for the right fit. Among other things, the following questions are answered:

• Safety standards: I-size or ECE R44 / 04?
• Safe and comfortable on the go thanks to Isofix
• How many seats do I need from birth to 12 years?
• Why is backward-facing driving important and which tips help with implementation?
• Several children with a car seat - space in the car?
• When is it time for a new seat and where can you best get one?
• The child seat groups - when do you need which seat?

We try to answer all questions and to support you in choosing the seat.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us by phone or write an email to info@baby-garage.de. We hope you enjoy reading it!

Safety standards: I-Size or ECE R44 / 04, R44 / 03

Three child seat standards are currently approved: i-Size (UN ECE Reg. 129), UN ECE Reg. 44/04 and 44/03. But what is important when choosing the right child seat? Height, Weight, or Age?

The law stipulates that children up to 12 years of age or up to 150 cm in the car must be secured - child seats are compulsory. But which seat suits your child? Which legal requirements does a seat have to meet and what is allowed? It is not easy to outline here, but it is very important because only a properly installed child seat can protect your child in the event of an accident.

The ECE R44 / 04 standard

The ECE R44 / 04 standard is the old but still valid test standard for child seats. The child seats according to the UN ECE Reg. 44 standard are divided into different body weight classes. While the weights are binding, the age ranges are for reference only.

The seats are tested in classic frontal crash tests. However, the side impact is disregarded here.

In the following table you will find the group classification of the seats tested according to ECE R44 / 04.

The new I-Size (UN ECE R129) standard

The new I-Size standard (UN ECE R129) is the latest and currently safest test standard for child seats.

Seats that have been tested according to the I-Size standard meet additional safety criteria and are more user-friendly. The norm aims to maximize the safety of your child.

By using Isofix, installation in the car is even easier and less prone to incorrect use in the vehicle. Isofix connects the child seat with the car body and thus provides extra safety. Note that not all seats have Isofix pre-installed. For some seats you need an additional base station.

The latest i-Size standard is based on the child's height. The decisive factor is the information provided by the manufacturer, who can determine the size range for his child seats himself.

According to I-Size: Regardless of their size, children up to 15 months of age may not be transported in the direction of travel in these child seats. Only rear-facing seats and baby bathtubs that are installed across the direction of travel are permitted.

This provides additional protection for the child's neck and back, which are still sensitive. The seats, which have been tested in extensive frontal and side crash tests, are more secure in the event of an accident.

In the following table you will find the phase division of the seats according to the I-Size standards. It is important to note that each manufacturer can determine the sizes himself and that this may vary in part. 

What is Isofix?

The term Isofix refers to a child seat safety system for child seats and baby seats in the car. Isofix is a two-component system. On the one hand, you have the Insofix hooks pre-installed on the seat or the base station. These are installed in the Isofix brackets in the back seat of the car. The Isofix brackets are firmly connected to the body of the car. 

This user-friendly system is particularly immune to installation errors and is therefore even safer for your child. 

Isofix is a new security system and is only available in cars built from 2004 onwards (with exceptions). If you do not have an Isofix in the car, you can find out about the option of retrofitting or have to switch to seats that are secured in another way.

No Isofix - what to do?

If you own a car built before 2004, or if you simply don't have an Isofix, you have several options on how to proceed. You can find out about a possible retrofit in the car at your specialist workshop. You can of course also use seats that are otherwise secured (strapped) in the car. For seats of this type, please inform yourself in advance about use and securing in the car and see whether there is enough space and the corresponding options for securing. On the seat manufacturer's website, you can see whether the car and seat are compatible.

Does the seat fit in my car?

It is difficult to say in general which seat fits or does not fit in which car. For more information, please contact your vehicle manufacturer. It is also advisable to test the seat in the car before buying it in order to clarify the issue of space directly on site.

From home you can find out in advance whether your car has Isofix or not. This already stands or falls the rough selection of the seat. Other security systems such as the Top Tether System (available from 2014) can also be used in the car.

How many seats do i need?

There are many different child seats and different ways to combine them. We have put together various options for you so that you can get an overview of the possible combinations. Different variants can be advantageous in different family situations. There is no right or wrong to choose which seats to purchase. Please contact us to find out which seats are suitable for you and when.

Variant A - three seats (baby seat, reboarder + 1)

Variant B - two seats (reboarder with baby insert + 1)

Variant C - two seats (baby seat + 1)

Variant D - three seats (baby seat + 2)

Why is backward-facing driving important?

As a specialist retailer, the subject of rear-facing driving is particularly important to us. Many parents decide too soon to have their child drive forward in the car. We recommend letting your child drive backwards in the car for as long as possible (up to the age of four).

But why is it like that and what are the advantages of backward-facing transport?

In general, securing children facing backwards offers advantages, especially in a frontal crash, since the load is transferred over a large area via the back and therefore no increased neck forces can occur. This is particularly important because a child's head is very large and heavy compared to its total body weight. The not yet fully developed neck muscles cannot absorb the resulting accident energies.

In the event of a frontal collision, the child is pressed into the seat, which significantly reduces the strain on the neck. With a forward-facing seat, on the other hand, the child is thrown forward. The upper body is rigidly fixed by the belt system, but the head falls forward unprotected and is then jerked back again. The impact forces are particularly high in the sensitive neck area, which can lead to severe or even fatal injuries to the spine and head.

Of course, there are many questions that we would like to answer on this topic.

How about the legroom for my child?

It is clear that from a certain height, your child's legs rest against the backrest of the back seat. However, children are much more flexible than we adults. A cross-legged position or bent legs, which we perceive as uncomfortable, are not a problem for children under four years of age. If you are worried about the wear and tear of the backrest, you can also purchase additional protection that is stretched over the seat.

My child can't see anything and is bored.

This statement is a mistake. In fact, children can see significantly more when driving backwards than the other way around. The rear window offers a panoramic view, which is all the better when you remove the headrests from the rear seats. In addition, a mirror can be attached to the headrest so that you and your child can make contact through the rearview mirror.

I only drive short distances, so driving forward is safe enough.

Serious accidents can also occur over short distances and at low speeds. The length of the route says nothing about the severity of the accident. No matter how long you travel with your child, it is always better secured backwards.

My child feels sick when driving against the direction of travel.

Nausea, known to us adults as motion sickness, which occurs particularly when flying or driving against the direction of travel, is much weaker in children due to their not yet fully developed sense of balance. Therefore, spitting or nausea while driving is not due to the direction of travel. However, it could be due to other causes, such as a large meal, the belt on your stomach, or simply overstimulation. However, this can easily be counteracted and the nausea quickly averted.

I have several children. Is there enough space in the car then?

If you are the parent of more than one child, large seats can quickly get cramped in the back seat. It is important that you pay particular attention to the width of the seats when making your selection in order to avoid space problems. It is not a problem to attach two seats, shells or reboarders next to each other on the back seat, with three seats it can be a bit narrower. It is advisable to assemble all seats together once in the car.

There are narrower and wider seats. The Izi Flex I-Size from BeSafe, for example, is a seat whose side body can be removed and which is particularly space-saving in the car. The exact dimensions of all seats can be found in the description text under the respective product.

When should I order the seat?

Please order your desired seat in good time. Of course, we have many of the items in stock and can send them immediately as soon as we have received your payment. Sometimes we have to inquire about the goods from the manufacturer first, so a shipment can sometimes take up to 14 working days. The expected delivery times can be seen on our website next to the respective product. Particularly large packages or goods that still have to be repackaged by us can also lead to a delay in the shipment. It is particularly important to us that the goods arrive as quickly as possible and undamaged, but we would like to ask for your understanding if there are any delivery delays. Unfortunately, the current precarious situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic also affects delivery times. The goods cannot be delivered to us from the production countries as quickly as is desirable. It is currently difficult to make binding statements about delivery times. However, we will always stay in contact with you and inform you about the current status of your order. Especially during this time it is important to order seats and strollers in good time so that everything arrives at your place on the desired date.

Buy in the store or order online?

In addition to our online shop, we also have a shop in Kiel. Here you can try out the seats and invite them into the car for a test. Of course, we recommend that you always seek advice on site whenever possible. Together with you, we will then find a seat that is perfectly tailored to your needs. If you do not have the opportunity to visit our shop, we will of course be happy to advise you by phone or answer questions by email.  

The prices in the store and online did not differ. However, you have the option online to save an additional 5% on the total value of your order when paying in advance. We cannot offer you this 5% in the shop, but here you get the additional service that we can assemble your car and you can test different models in advance. 

Online you can use one of the many payment methods we have available. You will also find all descriptions and information in German and English. Thanks to offers such as the twin discount and the set offers, you can also save on your order.  

If you have any questions, you can reach us by phone on 04307/372 90 71 or by email to info@baby-garage.de.

Build seat?

If you feel unsure about installing or assembling the seats in your car, we have put together a nice selection of videos for you. In these, the manufacturers explain step by step how you can assemble your seat and install it later in the car. If you have any questions, you can of course contact us by phone or write an email at any time. If you come from Kiel or the surrounding area, you always have the opportunity to get help with installation in our shop.

The child seating groups

Baby seats, reboarders and modular systems (phase I or group 0, group 0-1)

There are many things to consider when purchasing a baby seat. The most important question is what exactly the bowl must be able to do in order to make your everyday life easier. Should it be a strapped shell or would you like to use an Isofix base station? Do you plan to cover long distances by car or do you only use the car for short distances? 

What many parents do not know is that it is important to take your child out of the baby seat regularly. The slightly hunched position of the child in the shell can have a negative effect on the development of the back. A shell with a reclining function can be beneficial for long journeys. Immediately after the birth, 20 minutes in the baby seat are a guideline that you can use as a guide. After this time, you should take your child out of the shell for a break to straighten their back and internal organs. If you have a car that left the factory before 2004, you probably don't have an Isofix. That means you have to resort to a strapped shell.

A baby seat is generally intended for use in the car. However, it can also be attached to the stroller frame using the appropriate adapter. 

The subsequent reboarder is used after the baby seat. These are child seats that are used in the car facing backwards.

Baby seat with lying position

A baby seat with a reclining function in the car has the advantage that you can cover longer distances with your child. Thanks to the reclining position, you don't have to worry about how long you can ride before you have to take a break again. 

The disadvantage of bowls with a reclining function is that they can only be used with an Isofix base station. So you do not have the option of securing the shell in the car with the three-point belt.

Baby seat with belt

A belted baby seat can be attached to the car with the three-point belt. Cars that were manufactured before 2004 often have no Isofix installed. This means that the use of an Isofix base station is excluded. Fortunately, most baby seats can be secured in the car with either a base or a belt. This gives you the freedom to use the shell flexibly in every car. It is important to note that the shell can only be used as safely in the car as with a base if the correct belt technology is used. Base stations can be used in the car with almost no application errors.

Baby seat with Isofix base station

Cars built from 2004 onwards usually have so-called Isofix hooks in the car. An Isofix base station can be attached to this hook. The advantage of using a base station is that you only need to click on the baby seat and you can start driving straight away. In this way, user errors that can arise when belting can be avoided. This saves you from having to buckle up the shell before every trip. There are different base stations. Some are intended purely for attaching the shell to the back seat. Others offer further advantages, such as a 360 ° rotation function of the bowl.

Reboarder with base (separable)

A reboarder is a rear-facing child seat and is partially secured in the car with an Isofix base station. There are different reboarders. Some can be rotated on the base station, others have a particularly deep seat. Almost all of them have one thing in common, however, in that they can be driven forwards and backwards in the car. A reboarder can be used up to a size of 105 cm. During this time, the seat grows with your child. Some reboarders belong to a modular system (see below) and can be separated from the base station. Of course, there are also belted alternatives to the classic reboarder.

Reboarder with base (connected)

In addition to the reboarders that can be separated from the base, there are also reboarders that are permanently connected to the base station. The seat and base are one part and cannot be transported or used separately. If you have two cars, it can make sense to buy a seat that is separable with two base stations, one in each car.

Modular system

A modular system consists of three parts. An Isofix base station, a baby seat and a reboarder. Both the shell and the reboarder can be attached to the base and used in the car. A modular system has the advantage that all parts are compatible with each other and you can use the following seat on the base station directly after the baby seat. 

For you, this also means that you not only decide on the baby seat and the base, but also have to keep an eye on the reboarder. There are modular systems with different functions. Some allow you to rotate the shell and reboarder 360 ° on the base. Other systems do not have this function, but offer trays with a reclining function. Pay special attention to the small details that set the systems apart.

Accessories for baby seats

To make the journey with a child / baby more comfortable, it is helpful to use the right accessories. There is a wide variety of products that can come in handy. Read on and find out more about the little helpers in everyday life.

Forward-facing child seats (phase II or group 1, 2 and 3)

Phase II (groups 1, 2 and 3) includes all forward-facing child seats. These seats no longer have a lounger and no longer need a base station. Child seats of this size have Isofix hooks integrated into the seat. Many of the models are secured in the car with the three-point seat belt, but there are exceptions. Group 2-3 includes child seats from the age of approx. 4 years (15 kg, 100 cm height). They are only secured with the 3-point belt available in the car. Group 1-3 are child seats that grow with the child and can be used from a body weight of 9 kg (74 cm). In these seats, your child will also be faced with an impact shield or a 5-point belt. 

There are different forward-facing child seats with different safety mechanisms. Which seat is best for you depends entirely on your vehicle and the size and weight of your child. When adjusting the headrest of the seat, you can always orient yourself to the fact that the child's ears should be in the lower third of the horns and that just under two fingers must fit between the shoulder and the headrest.

It is important to note that seats with impact shields or 5-point belts are no safer than child seats secured with 3-point belts.

Read on to find out more about the various Phase II child seats.

Seats with impact shields

Child seats secured with impact shields (e.g. the Cybex Pallas) are among the child seats in group 1-3. These seats are also known as child seats that grow with the child and are permitted for use as soon as your child is 9kg, is approx. 74 cm tall and can sit independently. These seats also secure your child in the car with an impact device that is strapped in front of the child's stomach. Furthermore, the seat is fastened in the car with Isofix. The impact shield ensures that your child's upper body can roll off in the event of an accident and that all the energy does not have to be absorbed in front of the belt. It is important to try out these seats before buying to see whether your child is already the correct height. 

Once your child has reached a body weight of 15 kg, the impact shield can be removed. From a weight of 18kg, the removal of the impact shield is a must.

Seats with five-point belts

There are also seats in groups 1-2 and 2-3 that are initially secured with a five-point belt system and only later use the three-point belt system in the car. This is a nice alternative for children who would like to free themselves from their seatbelts while driving. Seats with five-point belts sometimes have to be braced with the Top-Tether system to secure them with Isofix. This system is only available on cars built in 2011 or later. If such a safety system is not available, the use of the seat is unfortunately excluded.

Seats without additional security mechanisms

Of course, there are also child seats that work without additional securing and are secured together with your child using the three-point seat belt in the car. These seats still have the option of being attached to the car with Isofix. However, this backup is optional and does not have to be used. So if you have a car built before 2004 that does not yet have an Isofix, you can use such a seat without any worries.

Accessories for large seats

Boredom can arise quickly, especially on long journeys with older children. It can be helpful to always have a nice selection of toys and accessories in the car to make long and short journeys more interesting for your child. You will find a selection of accessories below. Feel free to browse and be inspired.