Car seats are extremely important if you want to transport your young child safely. Ideally, you would prefer a seat that is convenient to use. Time to take a look at what to look out for.
New requirements
In the Netherlands it is mandatory to transport children up to a height of 1.35 meters in the car in an approved car seat. It is important that the child seat fits well, so that it offers optimal protection. As of 2019, the European rules regarding car seats have been adjusted. This means that you have to deal with new rules for the transport of children, but also that the seats will be made according to different requirements from now on. Since the introduction of the R129 ‘i-Size’ regulation, the following applies.
- Children must be transported backwards up to at least 15 months.
- Seats with seat belt fasteners are disappearing from the market.
- Only seats with the Isofix system are on the market.
Isofix
Nowadays, only seats with Isofix mounting can be sold, a special system that fixes the seat to the chassis of your car. Previously, seats could also be sold that could be attached with the seat belt. These seats may still be used, there are also no plans to ban them. Some new i-Size seats can also be fastened with a seat belt. This is useful if you have a car without Isofix mounting points. However, confirmation with Isofix is ​​strongly recommended. From November 2012, it is mandatory for all new cars to be equipped with these anchor points. So if you have a car that was produced after November 2012, the Isofix system should be present. Older seats (R44) may still be used, although it is recommended to switch.
Latest types of car seats
| Kind of i-Size chair | Suitable for | Comparable to R44 |
| Facing backwards | Children up to 83 cm and an age from 0 to at least 15 months | Baby car seat (0 – 13 kg), group 0/0 + |
| Forward facing | Children between 60 and 105 cm and older than 15 months | Toddler car seat (9 – 18 kg), group 1 |
| Forward facing | Children between 105 cm and 135 cm | Child car seat (15 – 36 kg), group 2/3 |
Anyone who wants to be clear about which of these above types is involved can find it on the seat itself. The Consumentenbond advises to transport a child in a 0+ car seat for as long as possible. Do not transfer until your baby becomes overweight or if his head is above the seat. Then it is then look at height and weight when the next switch is necessary.
Baby car seats
The latest generation of baby seats can therefore be attached to the Is0fix connection against the direction of travel. Baby car seats with an i-Size certification have a chassis (base) that is attached to the car via Isofix. You can leave this frame in the back of the car: you click the baby car seat on this frame when you get in and you click the seat off when you get out. If the Isofix connection is not available, the seat may also be secured with the seat belt. This is often the only option for the older seats (R44). Then you also secure the child yourself with the seat belt. When placed in the front of the car, the passenger airbag must be disabled.
Toddler car seats
With the toddler car seats it depends on the type of how the seats can be attached. Some i-Size toddler seats look forward, others look backward. It is recommended that children look backwards until they are at least 70 cm. The older seats (R44) are placed in the direction of travel, so the child always looks ahead. Again, it is always possible to secure the seat with Isofix with the i-Size models, but otherwise the seat belt can also be used.
Child car seats
Children’s car seats are another story. I-Size models have a headrest and side bolsters. As a result, they offer better protection in the event of a side impact. For seats with the old R44 standard, groups 2 (up to 25 kg) and 3 (from 22 kg) are almost always combined in one adjustable car seat. These types of car seats are booster seats or car seats in which the child is secured directly with the seat belt. Because the child is higher, the belt fits better. Preferably choose a booster seat with backrest and headrest. In the past, you could buy separate booster seats without a backrest. Since 2017, these are only approved for children taller than 125 cm and heavier than 22 kg.
If your child is taller than 1.35 meters, he must use the seat belt. If your child has the seat belt over the neck instead of over the shoulder, it is wise to transport him on a booster seat until he is long enough to use only the seat belt.
More information
Parents of Now goes into more detail about the choice of a good car seat for your child. In addition, it is recommended to watch the video below to correctly attach a car seat.