The next seat after an infant carrier
Change seats when your child passes the seat's height or weight limit, or their head tops the shell. Dangling feet don't count, says RoSPA.
3 November 2026
What to sort at 9–12 months
Pulling up, cruising and opening things. Your baby's infant car seat may be running out too, and funded childcare in England can start at 9 months if you qualify.
Now
The next car seat
Move up when your child reaches the height or weight limit on the seat, and stay rear-facing to at least 15 months.
Stair gates, top and bottom
RoSPA advises gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Screw fixings are what Safetots recommends at the top, so check what the maker says about yours.
Soon
Funded childcare hours
England offers 30 hours a week, 38 weeks a year, from 9 months for working parents who qualify. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ.
A lighter pushchair
Once your child sits up well, a smaller seat unit can work.
Can wait
A toddler bed
Most cots last well beyond a first birthday.
Shoes
Worth a look once your child starts walking outdoors.
This is general information from public sources, not medical advice. For anything about your child's health or development, speak to your doctor or health visitor.
Reading for 9–12 months
i-Size and R129, in plain words
R129 is the height-based car seat regulation, and i-Size is part of it. GOV.UK says height-based seats stay rear-facing until a child is over 15 months.
3 November 2026
How to fit a stair gate
RoSPA says to fit wall-mounted gates at the top and bottom of the stairs for children under 24 months, before your baby is mobile. Here's how the job goes.
3 November 2026
Compact pushchairs for trips
Five compact pushchairs ranked by weight, from 6kg to 8.3kg. Under 6 months the NHS asks for a seat that lies flat, and only two of these makers say theirs does.
3 November 2026