Baby and kids gear
Strollers, car seats, baby monitors and high chairs for Indian families. Compared on the age and weight ranges, safety standards and features each maker states.
How to choose a piece of baby gear
Parents choosing baby gear in India usually compare car seats, strollers, monitors and high chairs. Each has a few checks that matter more than the extras. Read the maker's manual and the standard it names before you decide. Our guides to the best baby car seat, best car seat for newborn, best baby stroller and best lightweight stroller go further.
Car seats
Maxi-Cosi says R129 (i-Size) seats are chosen by your child's height, not weight. The older R44/04 groups go by weight. Maxi-Cosi also says an i-Size seat needs a baby to travel rear-facing until 15 months old.
RoSPA says rearward-facing seats give greater protection for a baby's head, neck and spine. It adds that such a seat must never go in the front if there is an active passenger airbag.
Maxi-Cosi says an i-Size seat must be used with ISOFIX, which attaches the seat directly to the car's chassis. Graco says its convertible seat can use the vehicle seat belt or the LATCH system, but never both together.
The Bureau of Indian Standards lists IS 18713 as the Indian Standard for child restraint systems. Chicco recommends a new seat after any crash, minor ones included.
Strollers
Chicco's manual for its Corso stroller says to apply the brakes whenever the stroller stands still. It describes three harness positions and says to use one above the child's shoulder line.
Graco's manual says a child over 22.7 kg or 114.3 cm will cause excessive wear and stress on the stroller. It also warns that a child may slip into the leg openings, so full recline needs the footrest in the reclined carriage position.
Baby monitors
Which? says a Wi-Fi video monitor has a camera and an app. Unlike standard monitors, it lets you check in on your baby remotely. Which? advises against default passwords, because hackers may already know them. It also says to install security updates for the camera and app.
Philips says wet and moist materials can cut its monitor's range by up to 100 per cent. Our best baby monitor and best wifi baby monitor guides cover the choices.
High chairs
Chicco's manual for its Polly highchair says never to leave the child unattended. Adjust the restraints to fit snugly. Lock the wheels while the child sits there, and keep the chair on a stable surface away from stairs. It recommends the chair for children up to 36 months or under 18 kg.
BSI says EN 14988 covers freestanding highchairs for children up to 3 years who sit unaided. See the best high chair for baby and best booster seat for baby guides.
All baby gear guides
Baby gear questions
Do I need a new car seat after a small knock?
Chicco recommends replacing a seat after any crash, minor ones included.
Does a Wi-Fi monitor need any set-up care?
Which? says to change the default password at the start. It also says to check for updates to the camera and app on a regular basis.
Can a monitor replace watching my baby?
No. Motorola's manual for its PIP1610 monitor states it is not a substitute for responsible adult supervision.
How do I know when a child has outgrown a high chair?
Check the limits in the maker's manual. Chicco gives both an age and a weight limit.