Choosing your first car seat? Or perhaps you’re looking for a next-stage seat now your little passenger is getting bigger.
Our brand-new range of car seats has just launched – providing safety, comfort and security on every journey, at every age. The Edit caught up with Silver Cross Head of Category for Wheels and Car Safety, Hamish McPhillips, to answer all your car safety queries and provide parents with information on advice when choosing a child car seat.
Glide Plus 360
Suitable from birth to approx. 18 months
1. What is the age suitability of Glide Plus 360?
Glide Plus 360 is suitable from birth until 13kg/40-87cm, which is approximately 18 months old. Thanks to Glide’s adjustable inserts, our lie-flat infant carrier is designed to accommodate babies of all sizes, to provide comfort and support throughout each stage of their development.
2. Can I attach Glide Plus 360 to my stroller?
Yes! Glide Plus 360 is compatible with a range of Silver Cross prams and pushchairs, perfect for short trips and taking a napping baby from car to stroller with minimal disturbance. Simply clip in the adaptors to your stroller’s chassis and attach the infant carrier. Glide Plus 360 is also compatible with a range of strollers from other brands, see the full compatibility list here.
3. Is a lie-flat infant carrier a better choice for my baby?
A lie-flat infant carrier, such as the Glide Plus 360, is regarded as a more comfortable option for your baby. It provides an optimal travel position by ensuring correct alignment of the head, spine, and hips to support healthy development whilst maximising your child’s comfort.
Approach Plus 360
Suitable from birth to approx. 4 years
1. What is the age suitability of Approach Plus 360?
Approach Plus 360 is suitable from birth to 19.5kg/40-105cm, which is approximately 4 years old. Thanks to Approach’s adjustable inserts, recline and headrest, the multi-stage car seat is designed to accommodate your child at easy stage of their growth.
2. How should I install Approach Plus 360 into my vehicle?
Approach Plus 360 can only be used with the Base Plus 360, which is our 360° rotating ISOFIX base. The base can be securely connected to the ISOFIX anchor points inside your vehicle, with an extendable support leg for extra stability. Once fitted, Approach Plus 360 can be securely locked into the base, and rotated 360° for easy on and off boarding.
3. Can I use Approach Plus 360 with a seatbelt?
No, Approach Plus 360 should only be used with the Silver Cross Base Plus 360, and cannot be installed using the adult seatbelt.
4. Can I attach Approach Plus 360 to my stroller?
No, Approach Plus 360 cannot be attached to your stroller, however, our lie-flat infant carrier Glide Plus 360 is compatible with Silver Cross strollers, and strollers from other brands too.
5. How should I adjust the inserts?
The Approach Plus 360 features super soft inserts crafted from natural bamboo to cocoon your little one in safety and comfort on every journey. As your child grows, the inserts can be gradually removed to increase the space within the shell of the seat.
Motion 3 All Size 360
Suitable from birth to 12 years old
1. When should I remove the inserts on my Motion 3 All Size 360 car seat?
This ultimately depends on the growth rate of your child, but typically as a guide:
- Head hugger can be outgrown from 3-6 months
- Side wings between 6-9 months
- Main insert body, anywhere from 9 months onwards
Please note however, the inserts can be kept in for longer if needed.
2. Why does the Motion All Size 360 have an age limit of 12 years old?
After the age of 12, children no longer require a car seat as the car’s seat belt and safety systems provide the protection that’s needed. Motion All Size 360 will accommodate your child until they no longer need a car seat.
3. Does Motion All Size 360 offer extended rearward facing?
Yes, Motion All Size 360 offers extended rearward facing until 18kg or 4 years old. The main body of the seat has been designed specifically to accommodate little ones for longer to reduce the chance of them outgrowing the height before the weight limit.
4. When can I move my child to forward facing?
The Motion All Size 360 car seat must be used rearward facing until at least 15 months and 76cm. After this point, you can choose to use the seat forward or rearward facing up to 4 years old with the harness. Once the child reaches 18kg, the harness can then be easily stowed for continued use as a forward-facing high back booster.
Balance i-Size
Suitable from 15 months to 12 years old
1. Can I use Balance i-Size’s recline positions at any age from 15 months to 12 years?
Yes, the recline positions can be used throughout the use of the seat to offer the most comfortable position for your child.
2. When should I switch my child over to using the adult seatbelt?
Balance i-Size has an extended 21kg harness limit, which is ideal for ensuring your child remains securely fitted in the harness until they are ready to use an adult seatbelt.
3. What is a top tether for on Balance i-Size?
The top tether anchors the back of the child seat to stop it tipping forwards in an accident, diverting energy through the seat and vehicle and away from the child.
Discover i-Size
Suitable from 4 to 12 years old
1. What’s changed on the Discover i-Size high-back booster?
The Discover i-Size is a completely new model packed with lots of fantastic features. It includes:
- 4 recline positions and extendable thigh support for ultimate comfort
- 10 adjustable headrest positions for great longevity
- Side Protection System for superior safety
- Super-soft, antibacterial bamboo fabrics to provide the best in comfort
- An improved Easy Lock ISOFIX system
- i-Size approved
2. Do I need to use Discover i-Size with the ISOFIX fixture?
No, the seat can be used with or without ISOFIX – however, we always recommend using ISOFIX where possible.
3. Can the Discover i-Size recline positions be used at every age?
Yes, the recline positions can be used throughout the use of the seat to offer the most comfortable position for your child.
What else do I need to know?
1. How will I know when my child is ready to travel without a car seat?
In the UK, a car seat is legally required until children reach 135cm or 12 years of age – whichever comes first. To assess if your child no longer needs a seat after 135cm, check the following five steps:
1. Back – Can the child sit with their back against the vehicle seat?
2. Knees – Do their knees bend on the front edge of the seat cushion?
3. Lap – Is the seatbelt sitting firm across the pelvis and not on the child’s tummy?
4. Shoulder – Does the diagonal belt sit in the middle of the shoulder?
5. Slouch – Can the child sit without slouching in the seat during the journey?
If your child doesn’t meet any of the five steps above, you should continue to use the car seat. Note, the Silver Cross Balance i-Size and Discover i-Size car seats can be used up to a maximum height of 150cm – beyond the 135cm UK legal requirement.
2. Do I need to replace a car seat that was in the car when I had an accident?
We recommend replacing car seats after a crash. Even though the seat could appear to be OK and still function, it is possible there could be damage to the shell or integral safety structure of the seat, which may not be visible and could reduce the potential safety performance.
3. What does i-Size mean?
i-Size is a term taken from the latest European car seat safety regulation (Regulation 129). It was introduced to offer better compatibility between the child and the car seat, using the height of the child. The new regulation also includes additional side impact testing, the latest crash test dummy technology and the requirement for rearward facing for longer (up to 15 months of age).
4. Is it safe to use a second-hand car seat?
We do not recommend using second-hand car seats. Only use restraints if you are certain of their integrity (for example, there is no damage and it has not been involved in an accident). Please bear in mind that not all damage is visible. If the car seat has been dropped or knocked, there may be damage to the structure of the seat that is hidden by padding.
