Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK require all children to use a child car seat until they reach a certain age or height. The choice of the correct car seat is crucial to keep your child safe.
Which?, the consumer champion has rated this rearward-facing seat as among the top. It comes with a soft baby-hugg insert and a heightened G-Cell side impact protection. It comes with a rotating feature that lets you to adjust the seat to the ideal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats with rear-facing windows for infants are designed to safeguard infants from neck and head injuries in the event of a crash. Children who are in forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to be seriously injured, as compared to children who are in rear-facing child safety seats. Rear-facing infant car seats are typically placed on the back of the car and are smaller and lighter than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended that you always use a rear-facing infant car seat until your child outgrows it, or attains the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.
There are two types: convertible car seat and all-in-one car seats. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Convertible car seat start with the rear facing, but can be turned forward when your child reaches a certain size. All-in-one car seats have higher rear-facing weights and height limits so that your child is able to safely sit in the seat for longer time.
Be sure that the rear-facing seats you select for your baby fit your vehicle and are installed correctly. Review the manufacturer's label and your vehicle owner's manual for instructions on how to install the seat. It is also important to examine the harness to ensure that it is secure and secure, and ensure that your child doesn't fold in the harness. In addition, be sure to stay clear of wearing bulky clothes that could impede the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for babies than forward-facing seats since the force of the crash is more efficiently dissipated when a baby is cradled within the seat. Rear-facing car seats also provide more protection for infants that are thrown in a side-impact accident.
If your child has outgrown the rear-facing infant seat, you should consider changing to a convertible car seat with a rear-facing weight and height limit. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits, which permit your child to use the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
You can flip your baby to face forward when they are outgrowing the rear-facing infant seat. But, you shouldn't do this until they have reached the height and weight limits of the seat manufacturer. You should also talk with your child's doctor.
According to the laws of physics, and safety research, children under two are safer in a rearward-facing seat. They will be able to relax more comfortably in their seats, and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is especially important for babies, their necks and bones are still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines infants and toddlers should be rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 lbs. Some experts suggest staying longer.
If your child outgrows the rear-facing infant seat, you can transfer them to a convertible or all-in-one car seat with a five-point harness. These seats are designed to fit your growing child, and a lot come with a removable infant positioner. They come with a base so they can be used in multiple vehicles and you can also purchase additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.
For children who weigh up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that the car seat is fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be slightly angled back but not more than 300 from vertical, and should cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway may be blocked if the headrest isn't angled back far enough. Additionally, the car seat shouldn't be positioned at an angle that can result in a herniated disc developing in the spine.
In the event of a crash it is possible for a child to fall off a car seat that faces forward. This can be fatal. A towel that is rolled up or pillow can be tucked into the seat's base to help it recline, and this will help keep your child safe in the car.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats there is evidence to suggest that a rear-facing car seat can minimize leg injuries during collisions. In a frontal crash, the legs of an infant facing forward may fly up, hitting the rear of the car seat. This could result in serious injury. In an rear-facing seat, the child's legs are not likely to hit the seat and can be cushioned by the harness. This can significantly lower the chance of injury.
Multi-group
There are a variety of alternatives for infant car seats. However there are some that will not meet your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat will accommodate your child from birth to around age four, and is compatible with the majority of prams. This type of car seat comes with an adjustable harness that safeguards your child. It is also designed to grow with it, with features such as an adjustable headrest or side impact wings. Some of these seats can be turned within the vehicle, giving your child a wider view of the road.
New infant car seats are based on height rather than weight, which makes them more secure for your child. These car seats, also known as R129 or iSize in the UK, are EU-approved and must meet stringent safety standards before being sold. The label will show the capital "E" in a circle, along with the letters "R129". These seats are also easier to fit, and they offer better protection against collisions with the sides.
The Group 1 or 0 car seat will face rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that, they can be turned to face forward. They are fitted with a harness and are secured by either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some have a rotating feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without using the belt of the car. Others can be fitted on the majority of prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat will last your child until they reach the age of 11 and 105cm or until you decide to change it to an adult booster. These are the safest car seats, and they are recommended by Which?. They come with a wide design with a recline feature that is one-handed and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them have handles that are lightweight and can easily be tucked away in luggage.
Rotation function
One of the most significant features of infant car seats is its rotating feature. It allows the part of the seat which holds the baby to spin on a separate base making it easier for parents to get the child into and out of the car. This feature is especially useful when the trunk or backseat is small. In addition, it could help you install the seat in a different vehicle.
The rotation function can also make it easier to access the harness buckles without disturbing the asleep baby, and it's an absolute godsend when you're trying to keep your toddlers in check while trying to get them in the car. Some seats with a rotating feature aren't able to achieve this goal. It is worth reading online reviews about specific models to find out the quality of their performance.
Another important feature to look for is whether the seat can be used with a stroller. This is referred to as the travel system and is ideal for parents who are looking for a single unit to take them through the various stages of their child's development. car seat newborn insert 's also a great choice for families that live in a multi-car household, as it allows them to change cars without causing any disruption to the child.
Infant car seats are made for infants and newborns until the age of one year. They are classified into four groups, Group 0, 1, 2 and 3. The Group 0 car seats, also known as carrycots, place the child in a rear-facing position and connect to the vehicle with the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is usually attached to the base of the vehicle with the help of LATCH. This system connects all kinds of car seats.
A group 3 car seat is usually a convertible car seat that grows with the child, from infant to around four years old. These seats come with an increased height and weight limit and an adjustable, padded headrest to shield the child from injuries during a crash. They also have a support wedge that can be removed as well as a deluxe carrying handle, and an adjustable support bar.
