Which car seat group should you choose for your child?

In France, car seats are compulsory for children up to the age of 10.or until their size allows them to use a seatbelt. The most important thing to bear in mind when choosing a seatbelt is to choose a car seat child or baby is to take into account above all your child's weight, height and age. Each car seat is designed according to these criteria in order to best match the morphology of children at each stage of their growth. Be vigilant, however, as you could be in breach of the law if you are not aware of all the regulations governing the use of car seats. the use of car seats or booster seats.

How to choose a baby car seat according to your child's age?

The first thing to remember is that regulations do not apply according to the age of the childbut according to of its weight (regulation R44/04) or its size (regulation R129 (i-Size)). So don't trust the neighbour who tells you that her children have used the same seat from the age of 2 to 6.

• European regulation R44/04

European regulation R44/04 divides car seats into 5 groups correspondent the child's weight for which they are suitable. Today, it is still permitted to market and use baby car seats approved in accordance with regulation R44/04. However, these regulations are due to be phased out in the coming years, in favour of the latest European regulation R129 (i-Size).

European regulation R44/04 classifies restraint systems into 5 groups distinct :

1. 1. • Group 0 : from birth to 10 kg (approx. 9 months)
      • Group 0+ : from birth to 13 kg (approx. 15 months)
      • Group 1: from 9 to 18 kg (approx. from 8 months to 4 years)
      • Group 2: from 15 to 25 kg (approx. from 3 to 7 years)
      • Group 3: from 22 to 36 kg (approx. from 6 to 12 years)

Some so-called "evolving can simultaneously cover several weight ranges and can therefore be used for all the groups to which they belong:

1. 1. • Group 0+/1 : from birth to 18 kg (approx. 4 years)
      • Group 1/2/3 : from 9 to 36 kg (approx. from 8 months to 12 years)
      • Group 2/3 : from 15 to 36 kg (approx. from 3 to 12 years)

Group 0 : from birth to 10 kg* / up to 70 cm**

There are mainly carrycot beds, but also a few shell beds. The carrycot allows newborn babies to be placed in a reclining position during car journeys. The carrycot is installed parallel to the back of the rear seat, with baby's head in the centre and feet pointing towards the car door. Although the new carrycots, such as the Jade from Bébé Confort, are much safer, it is preferable to use a car seat or cosi for baby's travels, which will be more suitable.

• Our selection of Group 0+ baby shells

	Kiddy Evolution Pro 2	Cybex Aton Q	Cybex Cloud Q	Bébé Confort CabrioFix
	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE
Certification	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04
Classification	Group 0+	Group 0+	Group 0+	Group 0+
Child's weight	0 - 13 kg	0 - 13 kg	0 - 13 kg	0 - 13 kg
Travel position	Back to the road	Back to the road	Back to the road	Back to the road
Fixing system	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with ISOFIX 2 base	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with Q-Fix base	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with Q-Fix base	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with the FamiliFix base
Newborn reducer
Child restraint system	3-point harness	3-point harness	3-point harness	3-point harness
ADAC Crash Test Results

Group 0+ : from birth to 13 kg* / up to 80 cm**

This is a baby car seat called hull or cosi. It allows you to position the child in a semi-recumbent position maintained by a 3 or 5-point harness. Cosis are systematically installed back to the road. It can be installed on the rear bench or on the vehicle's front passenger seat provided the airbag is deactivated. The cosi is a multi-purpose car seat that can be used as a car seat to keep baby safe during car journeys, or attached to a pushchair frame for outings.

• Our selection of Group 0+ baby shells

	BeSafe iZi Go X1	Britax Baby-Safe Plus SHR II	Cybex Aton 5
	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE
Certification	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04
Classification	Group 0+	Group 0+	Group 0+
Child's weight	0 - 13 kg	0 - 13 kg	0 - 13 kg
Travel position	Back to the road	Back to the road	Back to the road
Fixing system	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with iZi Go base	Seat belt with or without Baby-Safe BELTED Base or ISOFIX with Baby-Safe ISOFIX Base	Seatbelt or ISOFIX with Aton Base 2-fix or Aton Base 2
Newborn reducer
Child restraint system	5-point harness	5-point harness	3-point harness
ADAC Crash Test Results

Group 1 : from 9 to 18 kg* / up to 100 cm**

They are intended for children who are now able to sit up. Car seats of this type must be installed at the rear of the vehicle and can be used both facing the road that back to the road which we strongly recommend. The child can be placed in a car seat with a harness or shield restraint system.

• Our Selection of Group 0+/1 and Group 1 Car Seats

	Britax Dualfix	Bébé Confort Milofix	Cybex Juno 2-Fix
	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE
Certification	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04
Classification	Group 0+/1	Group 0+/1	Group 1
Child's weight	0 - 18 kg	0 - 18 kg	9 - 18 kg
Travel position	Back to the road (0 to 18 kg) Facing the road (9 to 18 kg)	Back to the road (0 to 13 kg) Facing the road (9 to 18 kg)	Facing the road
Fixing system	ISOFIX with strut	ISOFIX with top tether	ISOFIX or seat belt
Child restraint system	5-point harness	5-point harness	Shield
Pivoting
ADAC Crash Test Results

Group 2 from 15 to 25 kg* and group 3 from 22 to 36 kg* / up to 150 cm**.

When the child exceeds 15 kg and until the age of 10it must be placed in a car seat or a booster seat (with or without backrest). This will allow the child to be high enough to the safety belt in the rear seat protects him in the event of an accident. However, if the child's morphology does not allow it, it is sometimes better to wait a little before taking the plunge. Since 2017, the regulations on booster seats have changed slightly. From now on, the use of a backless booster seat is exclusively reserved for children measuring at least 125cm or weighing 22kg.

• Our Selection of Group 1/2/3 Car Seats

	Cybex Pallas 2-Fix	Cybex Pallas S-Fix	Joy Traver Shield
	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE
Certification	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04
Classification	Group 1/2/3	Group 1/2/3	Group 1/2/3
Child's weight	9 - 36 kg	9 - 36 kg	9 - 36 kg
Travel position	Facing the road	Facing the road	Facing the road
Fixing system	Seat belt or ISOFIX	Seat belt or ISOFIX	Seat belt or ISOFIX
Child restraint system	Group 1 (9 to 15 kg) with shield Group 2 and 3 (15 to 36 kg) with seat belt	Group 1 (9 to 15 kg) with shield Group 2 and 3 (15 to 36 kg) with seat belt	Group 1 (from 9 to 18 kg) with shield Group 2 and 3 (from 18 to 36 kg) with seat belt
ADAC Crash Test Results

• Our Selection of Group 2/3 Car Seats

	Britax Römer KIDFIX SL SICT	Bébé Confort RodiFix AirProtect	Cybex S-Fix solution
	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE	SEE PRICE
Certification	R44/04	R44/04	R44/04
Classification	Group 2/3	Group 2/3	Group 2/3
Child's weight	15 - 36 kg	15 - 36 kg	15 - 36 kg
Travel position	Facing the road	Facing the road	Facing the road
Fixing system	Seat belt or ISOFIX	Seat belt or ISOFIX	Seat belt or ISOFIX
Child restraint system	Car safety belt	Car safety belt	Car safety belt
ADAC Crash Test Results

* classification according to standard R44 (child's weight)
** classification according to standard R129 (child's height)

• The new European regulation R129 (i-Size)

Since July 2013, the new European regulation R129 (i-Size) has been in force. has come into force. This new standard will coexist for several years with the previous regulation R44/04 until its gradual disappearance by 2020. The latest R129 (i-Size) regulations brings a number of advances in terms of safety with the generalisation of of the ISOFIX attachmentthe obligation back to the road up to at least 15 monthstaking into account side impacts in crash tests and the implementation of a new classification for car seats depending on the size of the child.

When should I change my car seat group?

As children grow, they need to a system adapted to their age group. Switching from one group to another must be done when conditions make it necessary. There are several criteria for identifying the right moment for changing car seats to ensure maximum protection in the event of a collision.

• The position of the head

For the smallest children, it is necessary to change car seats when the top of your child's head reaches or exceeds the upper edge of the cosi headrest.

• The child's weight

Each car seat is designed to support a certain weight. Always choose a model adapted to your child's weight or height. Therefore, avoid exceeding the maximum weight authorised for each group.

• Harness position

The harness must be positioned at the child's shoulder heightnot too high, not too low. When your child's shoulders extend beyond the highest position of the harness it's time to move up a gear.

How to recognise an approved baby car seat?

In France, it is only permitted to use models with an R04/44 or R129 type-approval certificate which certifies that they comply with current European regulations. At the time of purchase, look for the orange label certifying that the manufacturer has obtained approval for this model. Check the label to make sure it says :

• Weight or height for which the model was designed.
• The letter E surrounded by a circle is the symbol indicating that the device complies with one of the two European standards. The number next to indicates the country of approval car seats (1 for Germany, 2 for France, 3 for Italy, 4 for the Netherlands...)

You should also check that your vehicle has of the ISOFIX. Vehicles on the road since 2011 all have this type of fitting, although not all vehicles from the previous period were fitted with them. Choosing a car seat must be carried out accordingly.

What exemptions are included in the regulations?

The regulations includes exceptions to the use of a car seat. These exceptions are strictly governed by the highway code.

1. 1. Using a car seat or booster seat is not compulsory in taxis or public transport vehicles except where it operates under a school transport agreement. The same applies if the child's morphology is not suitable for wearing a seatbelt.
   2. It is possible to placing a child in the front of the vehicle in the following cases:

1. 1. • The vehicle has no rear seats

1. 1. • Children under 10 already in the back seat

1. 1. • The rear bench seat has no safety belt