A child’s safety is every parent’s top priority. If you’re expecting, you’ve likely spent hours searching for the perfect stroller or crib. But it’s just as important to think about how you’ll transport your little one in the car. Choosing a random, store-brand car seat might not only be unsuitable — it could have serious consequences. Find out how to properly choose a car seat for your child.
In 2019, over 2,000 children were injured in car accidents in Poland, and nearly 70 lost their lives. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to choose the right car seat for your child. Selecting the right model isn’t always easy — especially when you know your child’s safety depends on it. Here’s how to choose the best car seat for your child.
In 2019, over 2,000 children were injured in car accidents in Poland, and nearly 70 lost their lives. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to choose the right car seat for your child. Selecting the right model isn’t always easy — especially when you know your child’s safety depends on it. Here’s how to choose the best car seat for your child.
When should you buy a car seat?
You should think about your baby’s first car seat even before giving birth. It’s essential for taking your newborn home from the hospital. Don’t leave the purchase until the last minute — babies often arrive when you least expect it.
The next car seat should only be purchased when your child has outgrown the previous one. It’s important not to switch too early or too late. If the child is too small for the new seat, the seatbelt may not fit properly along their body. On the other hand, if the child is too big, fastening the harness may become difficult. In both cases, the car seat may not function as intended in the event of an accident.
The next car seat should only be purchased when your child has outgrown the previous one. It’s important not to switch too early or too late. If the child is too small for the new seat, the seatbelt may not fit properly along their body. On the other hand, if the child is too big, fastening the harness may become difficult. In both cases, the car seat may not function as intended in the event of an accident.
How to choose a car seat – approval and crash tests
Before releasing a car seat to the market, every manufacturer is required to subject it to proper safety testing. The European car seat approval system was established in 1983 and has since defined safety standards for child seats across Europe. As part of the approval process, crash tests are conducted, which involve:
Placing the car seat with a crash test dummy inside a vehicle
Simulating a frontal collision at 50 km/h, a rear-end collision at 30 km/h, and a full 360° car rotation
Evaluating damage to the seat and assessing abdominal injuries, as well as visual examination of neck and head trauma on the dummy
Certification confirming a car seat has passed these tests is issued under ECE R44-03 or ECE R44-04.
There are also models with ECE R129 approval — the latest European standard known as i-Size, introduced in 2013. This standard requires ISOFIX mounting and mandates that children under 15 months old must ride rear-facing.
All Sparco Kids products meet European safety standards, and depending on the model, are certified under ECE R44-04 or ECE R129.
Placing the car seat with a crash test dummy inside a vehicle
Simulating a frontal collision at 50 km/h, a rear-end collision at 30 km/h, and a full 360° car rotation
Evaluating damage to the seat and assessing abdominal injuries, as well as visual examination of neck and head trauma on the dummy
Certification confirming a car seat has passed these tests is issued under ECE R44-03 or ECE R44-04.
There are also models with ECE R129 approval — the latest European standard known as i-Size, introduced in 2013. This standard requires ISOFIX mounting and mandates that children under 15 months old must ride rear-facing.
All Sparco Kids products meet European safety standards, and depending on the model, are certified under ECE R44-04 or ECE R129.
Weight categories of car seats
To help parents and caregivers make the right choice, car seats are divided into 5 weight categories:
0–18 kg – rear-facing seat designed for children from birth up to around 4 years of age
0–36 kg – can be installed both rear- and forward-facing, suitable from infancy up to about 12 years old
9–25 kg – for children over 1 year old up to around 6 years old, usually mounted using both ISOFIX and seat belts
9–36 kg – for toddlers who have outgrown their first infant seat; can be used until around 12 years of age
15–36 kg – forward-facing seat, ideal for preschoolers and younger school-age children
It’s also important to pay attention to road traffic regulations.
According to the latest laws, any child under 150 cm tall must travel in a car seat, regardless of their age.
This means that even a petite 17-year-old who hasn’t reached the height requirement must still use a properly fitted seat.
Otherwise, the driver may face a fine and penalty points.
0–18 kg – rear-facing seat designed for children from birth up to around 4 years of age
0–36 kg – can be installed both rear- and forward-facing, suitable from infancy up to about 12 years old
9–25 kg – for children over 1 year old up to around 6 years old, usually mounted using both ISOFIX and seat belts
9–36 kg – for toddlers who have outgrown their first infant seat; can be used until around 12 years of age
15–36 kg – forward-facing seat, ideal for preschoolers and younger school-age children
It’s also important to pay attention to road traffic regulations.
According to the latest laws, any child under 150 cm tall must travel in a car seat, regardless of their age.
This means that even a petite 17-year-old who hasn’t reached the height requirement must still use a properly fitted seat.
Otherwise, the driver may face a fine and penalty points.
Which car seat should you choose – forward-facing or rear-facing?
Many parents wonder which car seat is better for their child — forward-facing or rear-facing. It’s important to remember that:
Infants must always travel rear-facing. This is absolutely crucial for their safety and well-being. At that age, a baby’s head accounts for about 25% of their total body weight, and their neck vertebrae are not yet fully developed. In the event of an accident, if a baby is facing forward, the body may be held back by the harness, but the head — due to the fragile and underdeveloped neck — may be thrown forward, potentially causing serious injuries, including neck fractures or even internal decapitation.
Swedish safety experts recommend using rear-facing car seats (known as RWF – Rearward Facing) until a child turns 4 years old. Transporting young children in such seats provides many benefits. The most important one is that during a collision, the head, neck, and shoulders are better protected, and the forces acting on these areas are significantly reduced. Children in RWF seats often walk away from accidents without injuries.
Forward-facing seats are recommended for older children whose skeletal structure is more developed. At that stage, the neck is strong enough to support the head during impact. For children over 4 years old, it’s especially important to properly position the seat belts. The lap belt should lie across the thighs — not the stomach — and the shoulder belt should rest in the middle of the shoulder, not across the neck.
Our offer includes both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. A great option is rotating models that can grow with your child and easily adapt to their stage of development.
Infants must always travel rear-facing. This is absolutely crucial for their safety and well-being. At that age, a baby’s head accounts for about 25% of their total body weight, and their neck vertebrae are not yet fully developed. In the event of an accident, if a baby is facing forward, the body may be held back by the harness, but the head — due to the fragile and underdeveloped neck — may be thrown forward, potentially causing serious injuries, including neck fractures or even internal decapitation.
Swedish safety experts recommend using rear-facing car seats (known as RWF – Rearward Facing) until a child turns 4 years old. Transporting young children in such seats provides many benefits. The most important one is that during a collision, the head, neck, and shoulders are better protected, and the forces acting on these areas are significantly reduced. Children in RWF seats often walk away from accidents without injuries.
Forward-facing seats are recommended for older children whose skeletal structure is more developed. At that stage, the neck is strong enough to support the head during impact. For children over 4 years old, it’s especially important to properly position the seat belts. The lap belt should lie across the thighs — not the stomach — and the shoulder belt should rest in the middle of the shoulder, not across the neck.
Our offer includes both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. A great option is rotating models that can grow with your child and easily adapt to their stage of development.
Can a car seat be installed in any car?
Not sure if every car seat can be installed in any car? Before purchasing a model for transporting your child, make sure it fits the back seat of your vehicle. Sometimes, due to a seat being too sloped, it may not be possible to install the car seat safely.
If possible, visit one of our retail locations to test the installation directly in your car.
A properly fitted car seat will ensure a comfortable and safe journey for your child.
Make sure to get it right!
If possible, visit one of our retail locations to test the installation directly in your car.
A properly fitted car seat will ensure a comfortable and safe journey for your child.
Make sure to get it right!