Buying a car seat

Use this list to tick off the checks you need to do before buying your car seat:

• Do you need to be able to carry your baby from the car to the home in the seat, or do you want to leave the seat in the car?
• Do you want an infant carrier that converts into a travel system?
• What is your child's weight and size? Remember it is not just the age of your child which should guide you in choosing the right seat
• Does your car have an airbag fitted for the front passenger seat? If so, you must be able to disconnect it before using a car seat in the front of your car
• Does the seat you have chosen fit your make and model of car? Not all seats and carriers fit all cars. Why not try before you buy? Most retailers will allow you to do this and some, such as Mothercare, have trained fitters

Should you buy a second hand car seat?

As any parent will know, having children is certainly not cheap so obviously there�s a desire to cut costs wherever possible, however the best advice is do not buy a second-hand child car seat. It may have been involved in an accident and the damage may not be visible. The manufacturer's instructions are often missing from second-hand seats making it more difficult to be sure it's fitted and used correctly. It's far safer to buy a new child seat.