Booster seats

Useful information on what to look for when buying a car booster seat for your child, plus the opportunity to purchase a range of regular childrens and high back booster seats.

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Car seats > Booster seats

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Once your child has increased in size beyond the maximum recommended weight for their forward facing car seat it will be necessary to upgrade to a group 2 booster seat. The majoriy of group 2 booster seats are designed for children weighing 15 - 25kgs (33-55lbs) and between 4 and 6 years of age (approximately).

The function of a booster seat is to elevate your child up to a suitable height so that an adult seat belt can be used as a restraint. However, many are fitted with a sturdy back and removable head and armrests to provide extra protection for your child in the event of side impact. They also make the seat more comfortable and give your child something to rest on during a long journey.

Booster seats tend to consist of a plastic base covered in a removable or wipe clean pad or cover. They are usually lightweight and easy to transfer from car to car. As the majority of booster seats use a regular passenger seat belt as a restraint they are much easier to fit in the car. It is however essential that the seat belt is guided into the correct position so as to give the child maximum support.

Most booster seats are designed to be used with a 3 point seat belt (one which fits across the body and lap), although some are suitable to be used with lap straps only - it is important to check the instructions for details. When fitting a seat belt over a booster seat you should ensure that the lap strap sits accross the top of your child's thighs and not the stomach area. Additionally, the diagonal strap should sit comfortably on the shoulder and not accross the neck. You should always ensure that the seat belt is not twisted and lies flat - seat belt adjusters are available to make this more comfortable for your child.

Many booster seats are designed to span both group 2 and group 3 stages and can be transformed into booster cushions by removing the back support and arm rests when your child outgrows the seat.

It is preferable to fit booster seats in the rear of a car, especially if there is a passenger side air bag in the front. If your child must sit in the front, you should make sure that the seat is as far away from the dashboard as possible. Additionally, unless you can be sure of its history you should avoid purchasing a second hand car seat as even a minor incident can affect its reliability in a crash.