Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK require that all children use a child car seat until they reach a certain age or height. It is crucial to select the correct car seat for your child's safety.
This rear-facing car seat has been called one of the top by the consumer advocate Which? It features a baby-hugging inlay and also enhanced G-Cell protection against side-impacts. It comes with a rotating feature that allows you adjust the seat to the most suitable position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are designed to keep babies safe from head and neck injuries during a crash. Children who ride forward-facing car seats are seven-times more likely to suffer serious injuries than children who ride rear-facing. Car seats that face the rear for infants are usually placed on the back seat and are smaller and lighter. It is recommended to use a rear-facing infant car seat until the child is no longer using it or reaches the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.
There are two types of rear-facing infant car seats convertible car seats as well as all-in-one car seats. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Convertible car seats start out with a rear-facing position and can be turned to face forward when your child is old enough. All-in-one car seats have higher weight limits for rear-facing and height, so your child is able to safely sit in the seat for longer time.
Before you choose a rear-facing car seat your baby, make sure it is compatible with your vehicle and is properly installed. Examine the labels of the manufacturer and your vehicle owner's manual for directions on how to properly install the seat. Test the seat's straps to ensure they are tight and secure. Also, make sure that your child cannot pinch a fold on the harness material. Avoid wearing bulky clothing that could interfere with straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for babies than seats that face forward since the force of the crash is more efficiently dissipated when the baby is placed in the seat. Rear-facing car seats also provide greater protection for infants who are ejected during a collision on the side.
If your child is outgrowing their rear-facing infant car seat you might consider switching to a seat that has a heavy rearward-facing weight and size limit. A majority of convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that allow your child to sit in the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
You can turn your baby around to face forward once they outgrow the rear-facing infant seat. However, you should not do this until your child has reached the weight and height limits of the seat manufacturer. It is also advisable to talk with your child's doctor.
According to the laws of physics, and safety research, children less than two are more secure in a rear-facing car seat. They can rest easier in their seats, and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is particularly important for infants who's necks and bones are still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines, toddlers and infants must be rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 pounds. Some experts recommend waiting even longer.
If your child gets out of the rear-facing seat you can move them to a car seat that is convertible or has a five-point safety harness. These seats are designed to cradle your growing infant and a lot of them come with a removable newborn positioner. These seats have a base, so that they can be used on multiple vehicles. You can also purchase additional bases if your vehicle has more than one.
It is also recommended to use a car seat that has a headrest for children up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be placed slightly to the back, but not more than 300 degrees from vertical. It must also be able to be able to cover the baby's ear. If the headrest isn't angled back enough it could entrap the baby's airway. Additionally, the car seat should not be set at an angle that could cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a crash it is possible for a child to fall off the car seat facing forward. This could result in death. You can put a rolled up cushion or towel beneath the seat's base to help it recline. This will help keep your child in the car.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats, there is evidence that a rear-facing car seat can help reduce injuries to the legs in crashes. In rotating infant car seat , the legs of a child facing forward could be swept upwards, hitting the rear of the car seat. This could result in serious injury. In a rearward-facing seat however, the child's leg won't strike the seat and the harness can absorb the impact. This can significantly lower the chance of injuries.
Multi-group
There are plenty of options out there for infant car seats but not all of them will meet the needs of your baby. A multi-group infant seat can be suitable for your child from birth until about age 4, and is compatible with most prams. This kind of car seat has a harness that is designed to protect your child. It is also designed to grow with the child, with features like an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats can be rotated within the vehicle, giving your child a wider view of the road.
New infant car seats are based on height rather than weight, making them more secure for your child. This type of car seats, referred to as R129 or iSize in the UK they are approved by the EU and must meet the strict safety standards before being sold. The seat will be branded with an inscription that displays an 'E' capitalized in a circle and also the letters 'R129'. They are also simpler to install, and offer greater protection from side impacts.
The Group 0+ or 1 car seat will face rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that they can be turned to face forward. They have a harness, and are secured with either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some come with a rotation feature which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to the next without using the belts on your car. Some will fit onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 car seat will keep your infant safe until they reach 11 years old and up to 105cm tall, or until you decide to turn them into a booster seat. They are the most secure car seats, and are recommended by Which?. They have a wide design, a one-handed recline setting and more than 12 headrest positions. Some are built for travel, with a lightweight carry handle that's designed to fit easily in the luggage of a.
Rotation function
The rotation feature of an infant car seat is one of its most prominent features. It allows the part of the seat that holds the baby to spin on a separate basis, making it easier for parents to get the child in and out of the car. This feature is especially helpful when the car has trunk or backseat that is compact. In addition, it can assist in installing the seat in the vehicle of a different.
The rotation function also makes it easier to access the harness buckles without disturbing the sleeping baby, which is an absolute godsend when you're trying to manage toddlers and get them in the car. Some seats with a rotating feature aren't equipped to accomplish this. It's worth reading online reviews for specific models to learn how well they perform.
A seat that can be used with strollers is a further feature. There are many brands that offer this combination that is referred to as a travel system, and is ideal for parents who want one unit that can guide them through all phases of their child's life. It's also a great choice for families who live in a multi-car household because it gives them the option to switch cars easily without causing any disruption to the baby.
Car seats for infants are designed for infants and newborns until the age of one year. They are classified into four categories, namely Group 0 1, 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seats, often referred to as carrycots, place the child in a rear-facing location and connect to the vehicle with a standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically connected to the base of the vehicle with the help of LATCH. This system connects all types of car seats.
A group 3 seat is usually a convertible car seat that grows with the child from newborn to around four years old. These seats feature an increased weight and height limit, as well as an adjustable headrest with padding that can protect the child in an accident. The seats also come with an adjustable support wedge, a luxury carrying handle and a support bar that can be removed.