Car seats: what are the standards?
In France, the use of a car seat in the car is compulsory for children under 10 years old (or 1m35). The car seat must have a strap at the crotch and comply with the following standards:
- ECE R44/04 standard: European approval taking into account the weight of the baby;
- R123 standard: in force since 2013, it takes into account the height and maximum weight of the child.
The two standards will coexist for several more years.
How do you install a baby in a car seat?
It is recommended that you put your baby in a car seat with his back to the road as long as the car seat allows it. His neck muscles are still too fragile to allow him to sit facing the road before he is 9 months old.
It is also advisable to limit the use of the car seat to short trips, for example to one of our workshops. Of course, if you are going on holiday, there is no risk of your baby staying in the car seat for several hours.
Which car seat should I choose according to the age of my baby?
The different car seat models are divided into several groups: 0, 1, 2 and 3. Each group is adapted to a different age and weight range. There are also evolving car seats, which belong to several groups.
The birth car seat
As soon as your baby leaves the maternity ward, he or she needs a group 0 (carrycot) or 0+ birth car seat. This is made up of shells that will accompany your baby on walks from birth to around 10-15 months (13 kg). The ideal is to choose a model that is compatible with your pushchair.
These shells or cosys are equipped with a 3 or 5 point harness. They are fixed with the safety belt or on a base that stays in place and makes handling easier (Isofix system). If you want to place your baby in the front of the car, it is imperative to deactivate the passenger airbag.
A group 0+/1 car seat can be used from birth up to approximately 18 kilos.
Baby car seats from 6 months
From the age of 6 months and up to 18 kg, you will need a group 1 car seat, which can be installed facing the road or backwards. Models with an impact shield instead of a harness must be forward-facing. In the event of an impact, your baby can wrap itself around the shield, thus avoiding straining its still fragile neck. In any case, a reclining car seat is more comfortable.
From age 4: the booster seat
The harness or shield is essential up to 18 kg. Above that weight, the car's safety belt is used on group 2/3 car seats, including booster seats. Booster seats are allowed from 15 kg (100 cm), but are recommended from 18 kg (about 4 years) only.
Between 135 and 150 cm, the car seat must be equipped with a backrest. Group 3 models can be used without a backrest from 22 kg (125 cm), but this is not recommended. We advise you to keep the backrest on your child's car seat as long as possible. It is essential to keep your child's head in the best possible position. Top of the page
