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MY BABIIE GUIDANCE
A little guidance for every journey.
Choosing a car seat can bring plenty of questions. Start here for clear guidance on finding the right fit, getting ready for each journey and knowing where to turn for help.
This guide is a starting point, not a replacement for your car seat instructions or vehicle handbook. Always follow both for your particular seat and installation.
Age ranges can help you browse, but they aren't the whole picture. Choose a seat that is suitable for your child's height and weight, and check the limits in its instructions before using it.
As your child grows, check the limits for the mode you are using, not just the overall range printed on the product page. A seat with more than one stage has instructions for when and how to change its setup.
Check that the model is suitable for your baby's size and follow its instructions for newborn use.
Check the permitted direction of travel and the height and weight limits for that setup.
Check the requirements for the next stage and follow the instructions for positioning the vehicle seat belt.
Rear-facing seats support a young child's head, neck and spine in a collision. Keep your child rear-facing for as long as their seat allows, within the manufacturer's height and weight limits.
For height-based seats, UK guidance requires rear-facing travel until your child is over 15 months old. Reaching that age does not mean you need to turn them forward-facing: continue to follow the limits and instructions for your seat.
A seat needs to suit both your child and the vehicle it will be used in. Check every car it will travel in, including a second family car or a grandparent's car.
Depending on the model, a car seat may use ISOFIX, the vehicle seat belt or a specified combination of fittings. Follow the exact installation method in the seat instructions and check your vehicle handbook before fitting.
Find the instructions for the exact car seat and base, if used.
Check the vehicle handbook and any applicable manufacturer compatibility information.
Check that the chosen position and required fittings are permitted by the instructions.
Never place a rear-facing child car seat in front of an active frontal airbag. Follow the vehicle handbook and car seat instructions when checking a permitted seating position.
Use these reminders before every journey, alongside the instructions for your particular model. If something doesn't seem right, check it before travelling.
Make sure the seat is secured as shown in its instructions.
Follow the correct routing and adjustment for your child; make sure straps lie flat without twists.
Thick coats and snowsuits can prevent a close harness fit.
Do not add accessories or make alterations unless approved by the manufacturer.
Revisit the seat's height and weight limits and its adjustment instructions regularly.
In the UK, children must normally use a child car seat until they reach 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. There are specific exceptions, so check the official guidance for your circumstances.
R129 is the current safety regulation for child car seats, first introduced in 2013. Seats approved to it are chosen by your child's height, and its approval tests include a side-impact test.
i-Size is a category within R129. An i-Size seat is designed to fit vehicle seating positions that are marked i-Size. Not every R129 seat is an i-Size seat: some are approved for particular vehicles, and some are fitted with the vehicle seat belt. That is why the approval label and the instructions matter more than the name.
A seat approved to R129 has a label showing a capital E in a circle and R129. The label also shows the height range the seat is approved for.
Check your child's height against the range for the setup you are using, and any weight limit in the instructions.
A height-based seat must be used rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old.
An i-Size seat still needs checking against your vehicle. Follow the seat instructions and your vehicle handbook.
Seats approved to the older, weight-based R44 regulation can still be used in the UK, as long as they carry their approval label.
Different models have different setups, so start with the guide for your own car seat. Our product-support pages bring together instructions and setup information by model.
If you can't find your model or have a question, contact our team. Tell us which seat you have so we can help you find the relevant information.
Please stop using the car seat and contact us for guidance on replacement. My Babiie recommends replacing car seats that have been involved in an accident, even if you cannot see damage.
No. You still need to check that the particular seat is suitable for your vehicle and follow both sets of instructions.
Age is only a guide. Check your child's height and weight against the limits in the car seat instructions.
There is no need to rush. Keep them rear-facing for as long as their seat allows, within the manufacturer's limits.
Don't use a seat if you are unsure of its history. Damage from a collision may not be visible, and you need the correct instructions, all required parts and a seat suitable for your child and vehicle.
Check the model's instructions before changing stages or choosing another seat. Do not continue using a setup once your child exceeds its permitted limits.
You don't need to work through every detail alone. Tell us which My Babiie car seat you have and what you need help with, and our team will help you find the relevant guidance.
