Grandparents

Keeping up with the times - and the little ones.

Car seat laws and recommendations have changed a lot since many of you raised your own children. This section is designed to bring you gently up to speed so you can help keep your grandchildren as safe as possible - whether you’re doing the occasional pick-up or regularly helping out. It’s never too late to learn, and every journey counts.

Rear Facing

Car seat advice has changed a lot over the years - and we know it can feel confusing when it’s different from what you did with your own children. But one of the most important updates is this: children are safest when they stay rear-facing for much longer than we used to think.

Back in the day, it was common to turn a baby forward-facing around 9 months old. Now, thanks to decades of crash testing and medical research, we know that young children’s heads are much heavier in proportion to their bodies, and their necks and spines are still very fragile. In a forward-facing seat, even a small crash can cause serious injuries. A rear-facing seat gives far better protection by supporting the child’s whole body.

The NHS, RoSPA, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) all recommend keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible - ideally up to age 4 or even older. Some modern seats go right up to age 6 or 7 (36kg or 125cm).

It may look unfamiliar, but it’s proven to be much safer - and as grandparents, we all want to do whatever we can to protect our precious cargo on every journey.

Choosing a safe seat

A child rear facing in a Joie i-Prodigi car seat

The safest car seat isn’t always the newest or most expensive - it’s the one that fits your grandchild, your car, and is simple for you to use correctly every time.

Start by checking the height and weight limits of the seat rather than age. Each car seat has clear rules printed on a label or in the manual. Once your grandchild exceeds either limit, it’s time for a new seat. If you’re unsure, ask the parent or check their red book for up-to-date measurements.

Make sure the seat fits securely in your car. Some cars have shorter seatbelts, fixed headrests or under-floor storage boxes that can make certain seats unsuitable. If possible, ask a trained retailer or fitter to check the installation with you.

Choose a seat that’s easy to handle - lighter seats can make it simpler to move between cars or take out for cleaning. Look for well-known, reputable brands that go beyond the legal minimum for safety.

Most importantly, use the seat exactly as it’s designed every time, even for short trips. Correct fit keeps your grandchild safest.

A child rear facing in a Graco Slimfit R129

Installing your seat

Even the safest car seat won’t protect properly if it isn’t fitted securely. Taking a few extra minutes to check the installation each time can make all the difference.

Start with your car and seat manuals - they show exactly how your model should be fitted. Follow every step carefully and check that nothing feels loose before setting off.

If your seat uses ISOFIX, make sure both arms click in firmly and any indicators turn green. The support leg should sit flat on the floor, not on an under-floor storage box unless your car or seat manual confirms it’s allowed.

If your seat is belt-fitted, keep the seatbelt flat and untwisted and pull it tight. The seat should move as little as possible at the belt path.

YouTube can be a useful place to find step-by-step videos - just be sure to use the official brand channel or a trained retailer for guidance.

For specialist brands such as Axkid, Avionaut, BeSafe, Britax Römer and TinySeats, the retailer should always provide expert fitting support when you buy. If you’re ever unsure, ask them or the child’s parent to check the fit before travel.

Taking a few extra minutes to check gives you peace of mind that your grandchild is travelling safely.

Fitting your grandchild

A baby rear facing in a Britax Max-Safe Pro car seat

A well-fitted harness is just as important as a well-fitted seat. Taking a moment to check the fit each time helps keep your grandchild safe and comfortable.

Always remove thick coats, snowsuits and padded clothing before putting your grandchild in their seat. Bulky layers stop the harness from tightening properly and can make it unsafe in a crash. Instead, you can tuck a blanket around them or put their coat on backwards once they’re strapped in.

The harness should feel snug, with no twists or slack. A good guide is that you shouldn’t be able to pinch any of the strap at the shoulder.

For rear-facing seats, the straps should be level with or just below the shoulders.

Check that the headrest is in the right position and that your grandchild isn’t slumping or leaning forward, especially if they fall asleep.

If you move the seat between cars, ask the parents to help you check the harness and headrest settings before each journey. Small changes can make a big difference to comfort and safety.