Guide to choosing a car seat group for your baby

Choosing a car seat for the little ones in your home is a delicate matter, as there's a lot of information out there, and we want to protect our baby in the best possible way.

For a child to travel safely in a vehicle, a child restraint system must always be used, but when choosing it, several aspects must be taken into account, such as that it is compatible with the fastening system that our vehicle has (using a seat belt or through the Isofix anchors), that the type of seat adapts to the needs of our child due to their weight and/or height, that it is comfortable for the child and that it is easy to install for the adult, avoiding errors in its installation... There are many factors to take into account when buying a car seat.

Don't panic! Here we'll explain in simple terms the different groups and when your baby should be facing backward and forward.

Which chairs are the safest?

In Spain, approved child seats are sold according to two regulations:

• The latest ECE R129 i-Size regulation (in force since 2013).
• With the ECE R44/04 regulation, from 2004, and therefore older and less demanding

Age and size of the baby or child

It is important that the car seat fits perfectly to the weight if it is approved by ECE R44/04 or to the size of the child if it is approved by R129, also called i-Size.

Chair approved according to ECE R44/04 standard

If you choose a seat approved according to the ECE R44/04 standard, you will see that the seats are classified into five main groups based on the child's weight:

• Group 0: Between 0 and 10 kg - Carrycot type. It is usually installed perpendicular to the direction of travel. It is necessary to use the seat belts and accessories to secure the baby inside the carrycot. Due to its design and difficulty of installation, we recommend using a CRS from the next group.
• Group 0+: Between 0 and 13 kg - Mandatory rearward facing position.
• Group 1: Between 9 and 18 kg - can be used rear-facing, but rear-facing is recommended for as long as possible. Some seats can be installed with either an Isofix anchor or a seat belt.
• Group II: Between 15 and 25 kg - Chair with backrest used with the seat belt.
• Group III: Between 22 and 36 kg - Booster cushion used with a seat belt. We always recommend using seats with backrests.

There are combined groups within these general groups that allow for better adaptation to the baby's needs over time.

ECE R129 i-Size seat

If you choose an ECE R129 i-Size seat, you'll need to select the most appropriate one based on your child's height. Remember that children must ride rearward facing until at least 15 months of age (recommended up to a height of 105 cm). Seats up to 105 cm tall must be installed using the Isofix system using three anchor points: two are located on the rear seat backrests (identified by a label), and the third can be the top tether, the lower tether, or a support leg.

• Up to 105 cm: Child seats up to 105 cm: with semi-universal Isofix anchorage (three anchor points), in reverse position, mandatory until 15 months and recommended until 4 years, always following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Between 100 and 150 cm: Child seats between 100 and 150 cm: with Isofix or seat belt. They are installed facing forward and have a mandatory backrest.

IMPORTANT! Make sure the car seat fits the Isofix installation. It's also important to make sure the car seats fit properly before purchasing any seat.

In the following article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about Isofix. What is Isofix?

Important points to keep in mind

• Make it comfortable: Your baby will spend many hours in the car seat on long trips. A comfortable seat will be very important to make the trips as pleasant as possible.
• Easy to install: In the previous section, we explained how to install the seat if it's an Isofix system. Even so, it can sometimes become an adventure, between suitcases, crying, and eagerness to start the car, it can be a nightmare. Before buying or borrowing a seat, check how it's installed and test it before setting off on your trip.
• Forward or rearward facing: Whenever possible, it's advisable to travel rearward, as it's much safer. This position reduces the risk of injury in children up to 4 years old by 80%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

With all these tips, we hope you have a good trip!