Car Seats

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      Browse our range of high-quality car seats and car seats in a variety of styles. At Metro Baby, we stock only leading brands of car seat accessories and child restraints certified to Australian and New Zealand safety standards.


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      WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE YOUR CHILD INTO A CAR SEAT?


      Well, that went fast! Your baby car seat has taken your little one from the rear facing newborn months, through to the forward facing toddler years. Now it’s time for the next step - a car seat. So, in Australia, when is the right age to transfer your child to this next stage? There are a lot of terms to understand, like folding car and all-in-on convertible car seat. We’ve made things simple for you with this quick and easy guide.


      How to find the best car seat for your child

      A car seat is for children in the 4 to approximately 8 years age bracket. Some models, like the Britax Safe n Sound Kid Guard, even go up to 10 years old. All kids grow differently, so the age brackets are a guide. You’ll need to make your own assessment regarding suitability based on manufacturer’s guidelines and keeping an eye on when your child’s shoulders pass the seat height markers.

      Two of the basics to consider when choosing the best seat for your child include:

      Safety - the seat you choose must meet Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754

      Comfort - it’s important that your child is comfortable. Choose a car seat with a sufficient seat cushion, comfortable head rest, and a two-position (or more) recline setting.

      We cover some extra car seat features to look out for further on in this guide.


      Don't forget to check your car

      Safety and comfort are important, however, there are a few more key boxes to tick before you buy. You’ll need to check:

      • Space in your car - will the seat you like fit in your car? If you have a small car or need to accommodate two or three other child restraints on your back seat, you might need to consider a narrow model.
      • Anchorage points - does your car have enough anchor points if you have more than one seat or capsule?
      • ISOFIX - make sure your car is compatible if you're choosing an ISOFIX car seat.


      Important features to consider when buying a car seat

      Would you like your child to stay in a harness once they move to a car seat? Or would you prefer them to use their car seat with the adult seatbelt?

      •   Slide-guard - If you choose a car seat to be used with an adult seatbelt, it should come with a slide-guard. This guard holds the sash seatbelt low on the child’s hips, serving two purposes in a car crash:
      1. prevents the child ‘submarining’ down and out of the seat
      2. keeps the seat belt from riding up onto their stomach which can cause internal injuries.

      A slide guard isn’t a consideration if you choose a harnessed car seat.

      •   Easy-to-adjust harness - If you go for a car seat with a harness, you will need to adjust this harness as your child grows. An easy-adjust harness feature will save you from having to remove the seat from the car, unthread, adjust, then re-thread the harness, and lastly, re-install the seat.
      •   Buckle holders - these helpful holders store harness buckles to the sides, keeping them from sitting behind your child’s back each time they get into the car. These holders also prevent twists in the harness which are dangerous in a crash.


      When you can move to a car

      When your child’s shoulders are above the height markers on your existing seat, it’s time to either move to a new seat or convert your existing seat (depending on the model you are currently using). An all-in-one convertible car seat for newborn to (approx) 8 years old, has a convertible car seat setting for the 4 to 8-year window.

      If you are currently using a convertible car seat or toddler car seat which takes your child up to (approx) 4 years old, it’s time to buy a car seat.

      Down the track, a child’s readiness to move from a car seat to an adult car seat can be assessed using the 5-step test recommended by Australian transport bodies.


      Easy headrest adjustment

      Adjusting the height of your car seat’s headrest is something you will need to do regularly as your child grows, or even more often if you are using your seat to transport different children. So, having a headrest that adjusts easily without having to fiddle too much behind the seat or even remove it completely, is helpful.

      The Britax Safe n Sound Maxi Guard Pro has an easy adjust headrest automatically repositioning the shoulder harness at the same time. While the Maxi Cosi Rodi AP headrest can be adjusted easily to six positions.


      Cup holders

      Cup holders seem like a small feature, but when it comes to small wins in the daily life of raising kids, giving your child easy access to their drink is one of them. Kids can’t reach the cup holders in most cars, so having a cup holder on their seat is very handy and saves you having to take your attention off the road in order to hand them a drink bottle.


      Fabric which is easy to clean

      Spills and accidents happen. Look for car seats with removable covers that can be put through the washing machine. You should also choose covers made from wicking fabric to keep your child dry and comfortable. Wicking fabric draws moisture away from your child’s skin and has antibacterial properties making for a healthier travel environment.


      Easy to use is always a bonus

      When you are getting in and out of your car a lot with kids, product features that save you time are valuable.

      Here are a few useful additions you can find on the car seats we stock:

      • Easy to use harness - if you’ve chosen a harnessed car seat, a feature that makes the harness even easier to use is helpful. The Maxi Cosi Luna Pro has a ‘dual action’ buckle and crotch adjustment, which allows you to adjust both the height and depth of the harness.
      • Pivoting arm rest - this refers to an arm rest that swivels to the side making it easier for your child to slide into their seat when entering the car.


      Safety is key

      Metro Baby stocks only the highest quality, leading Australian baby car seats certified to standard AS/NZS 1754. Some other major safety considerations include:

      • Side impact protection - mechanisms that absorb impact forces and direct them away from your child. Britax have dual layer head and torso Side Impact Cushion Technology™ (SICT™) while the Maxi Cosi Luna Pro has a headrest that includes Air Protect™ and chin support.
      • Installation - Either via ISOFIX points or using the car seatbelt and a tether strap to an anchor point.
      • Harness or Seatbelt - The latest models of convertible car seats allow you to keep your child in a harness while using their seat in car mode. Other models are designed to be used with an adult seatbelt. Both methods meet current safety standards, however the harness system offers slightly more security because the harness spreads the load of impact during a crash.


      Installing your car correctly

      When installing a car, first check the manufacturer’s instructions. The next steps are:

      • Locate the child restraint anchor point in your car (usually at the back of the seat).
      • Attach the tether strap to the anchor point and tighten the strap. Don’t tighten it so much that the seat lifts off the base of the car’s seat.
      • Feed the seatbelt through the seatbelt guide.
      • Adjust the headrest height so that the seatbelt stretches comfortably across the child’s chest.


      Other accessories you may want to consider

      Once you have chosen a car seat, browse our range of car accessories to grab seat protectors, back seat organisers (great for storing emergency nappies), window shades or Safety 1st products. Or if you’re looking for other baby products, check out the rest of our one-stop-shop for swaddles, sleeping bags, rockers, latches, jumpers, cots, high chairs, bouncers, bassinets, prams and strollers.


      Brands we know and trust

      Car safety is a top priority for parents. Metro Baby only stock high quality products from Australia’s most trusted brands like Maxi Cosi and Britax. Our range of car seats meet Australian safety standards and feature the latest impact protection technology.


      Buying your car seat online at Metro Baby

      Shopping online for your car seat with Metro Bay is a breeze. We have an easy payment method, and you can also pick up your order from our store in Richmond, VIC via Click & Collect. Browse our range of child car seats knowing that we offer fantastic prices and reliable service. And remember, you can always contact us with any questions. 


      FAQ’s:


      Does a 7 year old need a car seat in Australia?

      Children aged 7 years and over who are too small to use a seatbelt, should use an approved car seat until they are 145cm tall. Browse our range of car seats above or check out our range of convertible car seats for newborn to (approx) 8 years old.


      What age is good for a car seat?

      When a child reaches the shoulder height markers of their toddler seat, or at (approx) 4 years of age, a child is ready for a car seat. If they are using an all-in-one convertible car seat, you can simply switch the seat over to the car setting.