Which child seat does your child need?
If your child is to ride in the car, one thing is particularly important: the right child seat. But what do you have to pay attention to? Height, weight or age? You can find out here what kind of child seat your child needs at what age.
It is often difficult for parents to find the right child seat for their child, as the selection and range on the market is constantly growing. A suitable child seat not only has to fit the size, but also the weight of the offspring. For this reason, child seats are available in specialist shops in five categories, which have different advantages depending on age, weight and size, as well as rules regarding installation and use. In the following you will find detailed information on the five respective weight groups.
Index
ToggleGroup 0 and 0+: baby seats up to max. 13 kg and approx. 1 ½ years
Newborns and babies up to a maximum weight of 10 kilograms (0) or 13 kilograms (0+) are transported in the car in so-called baby seats . Children up to 90 cm can ride in this child seat class. This roughly corresponds to a maximum age of 18 months.
Baby carriers are always mounted backwards in the vehicle, so that babies are always transported against the direction of travel. This is also stipulated by the new i-Size regulation . Baby carriers serve to protect the baby in the event of a frontal impact, since the spine of babies is not yet fully developed and the pressure is better distributed in this position.
Children are secured in a baby seat using an integrated belt system, and the baby seat is secured in the car using a three-point belt system or ISOFIX . A new child seat in a higher weight group is required when the upper edge of the baby’s head no longer lies securely in the shell.
Group 0+ and I: combi seats up to max. 18 kg and approx. 4 years
Group 0+ / I seats are suitable until children are around four years old or weigh up to 18 kg. A lot has changed and improved in this child seat class, especially in recent years. Parents who want to invest in a group 0+/I seat are best advised to use the so-called reboarders, because children between the ages of one and four are the safest in these seats.
Like the baby seat, the reboarder is also characterized by rear-facing assembly. From a body weight of 9 kg, children can also use the reboarder facing forwards. An integrated belt system ensures that the small child is secured, the seat is attached with a 3-point belt or ISOFIX.
Group I: seat shells 9 to max. 18 kg, approx. 9 months to 4.5 years
Weight group I is intended for children between 9 and 18 kilograms body weight. This corresponds to an approximate age of 9 months to 4.5 years. Seat shells with an integrated belt system (e.g. harness belt) can also be used in this group in or against the direction of travel.
Another system is characterized by an impact shield, such as a belly table. In the event of a frontal collision, this system is less stressful for the child than, for example, a seat shell with a harness belt. The seat shells are also attached using the three-point belt system or ISOFIX.
Group I/II/III: child seats that grow with the child from 9 to max. 36 kg, approx. 1 to 12 years
Child seats that grow with the child are usually the result of a compromise. Since children of such a large age difference should be able to safely sit in these seats, seats in this group are a combination of groups I, II and III. This is a booster seat with integrated back support and impact shield for the child. The seat is secured using the three-point belt system. It is important for parents to know that their children with the body proportions of weight class I also have a good sleeping position in this combination seat.
Group II/III: child seats 15 to 36 kg, approx. 4 to 12 years
Group II/III child seats are booster seats, some with back or sleep supports for the child. Children in this age group are secured using the three-point seat belt. To prevent the belt from cutting into the child’s neck, the shoulder belt should always be centered over the child’s shoulder. The lap belt should also run through the belt hooks provided so that it does not slip into the stomach area in the event of an accident.