Choosing Car Seats for Toddlers and Young Children
Toddler seats are suitable for young children from about eight to 18 kilograms. Your child must have full head control before you can place them safely in a forward facing seat.
If you have been using a convertible restraint for your baby, it is important to remember to turn it to the forward facing position once your baby has reached the manufacturer's recommended weight.
Choosing a child's car seat
Before you choose a child restraint, check the following points:
- if your child sleeps for long periods, consider a seat that tilts back into a more comfortable sleeping position
- if you plan to swap the seat between cars, think about how difficult it will be to move the seat and if the seat will fit comfortably in both cars
All child restraints available from the RACQ meet Australian Standards 1754. See the wide range of toddler seats and booster seats available from the RACQ's online shop.
Discount prices on all child restraints are available for RACQ members. Not an RACQ member? Join RACQ now!
How to use a child car seat
The safest position for a child to travel is in the centre position of the rear seat. Where this is not available or practical, the recommended position is behind the passenger seat.
Check your vehicle's manual to find where the installed child restraint anchor points are located. Child restraint tether straps should be attached in a direct line with these anchor points.
Don't allow any obstacles, such as a cargo barrier, to interfere with the straps.
Make sure the harness is correctly adjusted, is not twisted and the seatbelt is firmly fitted. You'll need to adjust the harness straps as your child grows. The manufacturer's instructions will explain the correct method of fitting and adjustment.
