Baby seats and child seats

There are a range of different baby seats and child car seats catering for children up to the age and height where it is no longer necessary to use a booster or security seat in a vehicle. Examples of the available types of child seats are given below.

Highchair (used in the home)

A highchair is a special seat supported on high legs that allows the height of a baby or small child to be elevated to that of a seated adult. This can be of great social benefit during meals as the infant is able to sit at a dining table and participate in social and dining interaction with parents.

Nearly all highchairs will have a tray from which the infant can eat, drink or place toys and many are height adjustable. Most modern lightweight highchairs are of a tubular design and they will fold up when not in use. The seats tend to be covered in a soft and easy to clean fabric and both frame and seat come in many different colour options. Traditional style timber highchairs can still be purchased for those who prefer a more furnished and permanent look.

Child seat for a car

In most countries a child seat is a legal requirement for infants and small children up to a certain age or height. You will need to consult your national or local legislation to determine - after what age - or - above which height - a child is no longer required to sit in a child seat in your country.

Child seats work by placing the infant in a specially designed seat that can be secured to the existing seating within the car. The child seat then has its own safety harness designed to fit around the body of the appropriately sized child and provide them with protection and security in the event of a motor accident.

The need for a child seat for infants is necessitated by the fact that a regular seat belt (safety belt) will not work correctly on children below a certain height. The child seat is also sized and shaped for an infant.

Forward facing child seat (car)

A forward facing child seat has the child facing in the direction of the cars normal forward motion. In some countries infants under a certain age cannot be placed in a forward facing child seat on a front passenger seat.

Backward facing child seat (car)

A backward facing child seat has the child facing in the opposite direction to the cars normal forward motion and consequently facing the car seat to which it is secured. The main purpose of this type of seat is to protect the child from the deployment of airbags.

In some countries passenger side airbags can be deactivated to make it safe for a forward facing child seat to be fitted into the front passenger seat.

Booster seat (car)

Booster seats are an intermediate solution for when a child is too large for a standard car child seat, but still legally too small to travel in a car using a standard (factory fitted) seat belt. The booster seat acts to elevate the body of the child to a level where a normal safety belt can fit and function safely and within the law.

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