Baby car seats are safety seats used to transport infants from birth to around the age of two. They are specifically designed to keep newborns and infants safe in cars, SUVs, and other vehicles.
Purchasing the right car seat for babies can be confusing sometimes. We understand a parent’s dilemma in trying to understand the variety of baby car seats and what differentiates them from one another.
Child car seats are divided into categories based on weight group, position, and the baby’s age. To fully guide you on baby car seat options available in the market, here are different car seat classifications by weight group and position you should consider before buying one for your baby.
Car Seat Types by Weight Group
Weight groups are considered when it comes to car seat safety. Most car seats are tagged with these categories to help you choose the right type your baby needs for every age and weight.
Group 0/0+
Group 0+ car seats are designed for the first stage of infancy and have the lowest weight range in the group. Baby car seats classified in Group 0/0+ are suitable for newborn babies up to around 12 to 15 months old, with a maximum weight of 13 kg.
Infant car seats lie flat in a rear forward position inside the vehicle to keep newborns safe and secure.
Group 0+/1
Group 0+/1 car seats combine groups 0+ and 1 but have a distinct safety feature. Unlike the latter, this car seat group stays fixed in the vehicle and is larger. You can use Group 0+/1 car seats from the newborn stage to toddler at 18kg or around 4 years old.
Group 0+/1/2
This car seat weight group is designed to last from birth to 25kg or 6 years old. Group 0+/1/2 child car seats are less common than other groups but still provide adequate protection to the baby. A combination car seat such as this can be set in either a rearward or forward-facing position.
Group 1
A Group 1 car seat is suitable for toddlers aged 9 months to 4 years old or within the weight range of 9kg to 18kg. Toddler car seats in this group are usually in a forward-facing position.
Group 2/3
High-backed booster seats are classified under Group 2/3 car seats. These seats are suited for 4 to 12 year olds or within the weight range of 15kg to 36 kg. It can also convert to Group 3 seats or backless booster seats.
Group 3
Group 3 car seats are made to carry older children aged 6 to 13 years old, which covers 22kg to 36 kg of the weight range. This type of seat is also called a booster cushion, which raises the child's body to a suitable height using an adult seatbelt.
Group 1/2/3
Multi-group car seats cover more than one group. Group 1/2/3 car seats are designed for 9 months old babies up to children at 12 years old. Combination seats such as this can accommodate weights from 9kg to 36kg.
Group 0+/1/2/3
Some parents prefer baby car seats that can accommodate a growing child. There are multi-group car seats suited for newborns to 12 year olds or 36kg such as the Group 0+/1/2/3. These child car seats are equipped with a 5-point harness for safety and can be converted to a booster seat.
Car Seats by Positions
Keeping babies and children safe while on the road is the main purpose of car seats. Another thing to consider when choosing car seats is the appropriate positions for every stage. Car seat positions range from rear-facing to forward-facing seats.
Rear-facing car seats
For newborns and toddlers aged 2 or 4 years old, a car seat should be placed in a rear-facing seat position and buckled with a harness in the backseat of the vehicle. The rear-facing car seat position is recommended for Group 0 to 1 car seats.
Forward-facing car seats
A forward-facing car seat is best for children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seats. It includes Group 1 and 1/2/3 car seats for 9-month-old babies up to 11 years old. Children should stay in this car seat position until they reach the ceiling weight limit.
Booster car seat
After the forward-facing seat, children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old can now use booster cushions.
No matter what type of car seat you decide to purchase for your little one, you can rest assured that your child will be safe while they are in the vehicle. With a wide range of baby car seats in the Philippines, it can be daunting shopping for one.
Luckily, Baby Company’s car seat collection carries plenty of the best baby brands in the market! Check out our baby car seats at prices you’ll love! Be sure to get your baby's first infant car seat from Baby Company and you'll be thanking yourself later.
Shop for baby car seats online at babycompany.ph or drop by the nearest Baby Company store today!