Car seats buying guide

Published on December 3, 2020 at 6:49:58 PM PST December 3, 2020 at 6:49:58 PM PSTrd, December 3, 2020 at 6:49:58 PM PST

car seats buying guide

Every child must travel in the appropriate child restraint until that child reaches either 135cm in height or 12 years old, after which they are eligible to use just an adult seat belt. Using an adult seat belt before a child is sufficiently developed may put them at higher risk of internal injury, particularly if the belt does not fit properly across the pelvis.


Mothercare offers an extensive range of highback booster seats designed for children right up to 36kg/79lbs (approx. 12 years).




1. Get the right seat for your child's weight

A child that is either above or below the specified weight range for the car seat may prevent the seat from effectively protecting them in the event of an accident. It is critical that your child is in the right seat for their weight.



2. Make sure the car seat fits your car

80% of car seats are fitted incorrectly! Visit one of our stores and ask for a free fitting demonstration to ensure the seat you buy fits your child and your car.



3. Make sure YOU know how to fit your child's car seat


One of our accredited car seat advisers will be happy to check your chosen car seat fits your car and will instruct you on how to fit it properly. In selected stores we will even double-check your seat once you've fitted it!



4. What's the law?

This car seat legislation requires that every child must travel in the appropriate child restraint until that child reaches either 135cm in height or 12 years old, after which they are eligible to use just an adult seat belt.



5. What the jargon means

  • side-impact protection (SI, SIPS, SPS): deeper side wings ensure optimum protection should your car be involved in a side-on collision

  • seat-belt tensioning device: helps you to tighten the seatbelt effectively

  • Isofix™: a car seat installation standard


6. Mothercare recommends...

  • that your baby is positioned rearward-facing for as long as possible. Rearward facing seats offer the best possible protection to the smaller baby. In the event of a frontal impact the rearward facing car seat supports your baby's head and neck. Use a rearward seat until your baby reaches the maximum permissible weight and can sit up unaided.

  • NEVER position a child on a passenger seat fitted with a front airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults but can seriously injure or even kill a child.

  • that a 3-point or 5-point harness is ALWAYS used up to 18kg/40lbs (approx. 4 yrs). It's tempting to move your child to a seat without a harness for convenience but a 3-point or 5-point harness provides much better fit and protection that an adult seatbelt.

  • your child will fit a highback booster seat much better than a booster seat as it offers side-impact protection.

  • Isofix™ where possinle to reduce the chances of fitting incorrectly

All our car seats are approved to United Nations Regulation ECE R44.04



Infant carrier car seats - from birth up to 13kg/29lbs (birth to approx. 12 mths)

  • rearward-facing seat

  • baby is secured by the seat's integral 3-point safety harness

  • seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt or the Isofix™ base (Isofix™ models only)

  • lightweight, portable and with a carry handle, they're called 'infant carriers' because you can remove baby from car without taking them out of their seat



Combination car seats - from 9kg up to 18kg/40lbs (birth to approx. 4 yrs)

  • use rearward-facing from birth to 10kg/22lbs or 13kg/29lbs depending on model - (approx. birth to 12 mths); then use forward-facing once your baby can sit up unaided, from 9kg/20lbs to 18kg/40lbs (approx. 9 mths to 4 yrs)

  • baby/toddler is secured by the seat's integral 5-point safety harness

  • use extended rearward-facing up to 18kg/40lbs

  • secured by Isofix™ or fitted in the car with the vehicle seat belt



Forward-facing car seats - from 9kg/20lbs to 18kg/40lbs (approx. 9 mths to 4 yrs)

  • forward-facing car seat

  • baby/toddler is secured by the seat's integral 5-point safety harness

  • adjustable seating positions for greater comfort

  • seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt, or the Isofix™ clip system (Isofix™ models only)


Combination car seats - from birth up to 18kg/40lbs (birth to approx. 4 yrs)

  • use rearward-facing from birth to 10kg/22lbs or 13kg/29lbs depending on model - (approx. birth to 15 mths); then use forward-facing once your baby can sit up unaided, from 9kg/20lbs to 18kg/40lbs (very approx. 9 mths to 4 yrs)

  • baby/toddler is secured by the seat's integral 5-point safety harness

  • seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt

  • use extended rearward-facing up to 18kg/40lbs

  • secured by Isofix™ option or fitted in the car with the vehicle seat belt



Highback booster seats with integral harnesses - from 9kg/20lbs to 36kg/79lbs (approx. 9 mths to 11 yrs)

  • forward-facing seat

  • baby/toddler/child is secured by the seat's integral 5-point safety harness

  • seat is secured in the car by Isofix™ or an adult seat belt



Highback boosters (without harnesses) and booster seats - from 15kg/33lbs to 36kg/70lbs (approx. 4 yrs to 12 yrs)

  • forward-facing seat

  • toddler/child and seat are secured by Isofix™ option or with the vehicle seat belt

  • seat raises child to enable adult seat belt to fit more securely, safely and comfortably

  • extra height also gives a better view, helping to relieve boredom/travel sickness