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 the age of a certain height or age. It is important to choose the appropriate car seat for your child's safety.
Which?, the consumer champion has rated this rearward-facing seat as among the best. It has a cosy baby-hugg inlay and enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It also has a rotation function that lets you adjust the seat in the most optimal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats for infants are designed to safeguard infants from neck and head injuries in a crash. Children who ride forward-facing car seats are seven-times more likely to sustain serious injuries than children who are rear-facing. Infant car seats that face the rear are usually placed in the back of the vehicle and are smaller and lighter than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended to use a rear facing infant car seat until the child is outgrowing it or has reached 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, however they each have their own advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seats begin rear-facing and can be changed to face forward once your child is old enough. All-in-one car seat have higher rear-facing weights and height limits so that your child can safely ride in the seat for longer time.
Be sure that the rear-facing seats you select for your child are compatible with your vehicle and are installed correctly. The instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer as well as in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Also, test the seat's harness to ensure that it is secure and secure, and also ensure your child can't pinch a fold in the harness material. Additionally, you should try to stay clear of wearing bulky clothes that could impede the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are less dangerous than car seats that face forward for babies, because the impact force dispersed more efficiently when the infant's body is held in the seat. In addition, rear-facing seats can provide more protection for infants removed from a vehicle during an accident that causes a side impact.
If your child outgrows their rear-facing infant car seat you may want to consider switching to a seat that has a high rearward-facing weight and size limit. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that allow your child to use the seat for over two years.
Forward-facing
You can rotate your baby to face forward when they are outgrowing the rear-facing infant seat. It is best to wait until your child reaches the weight and height limits before you do this. It is also advisable to talk to your child's pediatrician.
Physics' laws and safety research have proven that children who are less than two years old old are safer if they travel in a rear-facing seat. They are able to rest more comfortably in their seats and are less likely than other passengers to be injured by airbags or belts. This is particularly important for infants whose bones and necks are still developing. The iSize guidelines recommend that all toddlers and infants sit rear-facing until at least 20 pounds or 12 months old and some experts recommend waiting even longer.
If your child grows out of the rear-facing seat, you can switch them to a car seat that is convertible or has a five-point safety harness. newborn car seat are designed to accommodate your growing child, and a lot include a removable infant positioner. They come with a base so they can be used in several vehicles and you can also purchase additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.
For children weighing up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that a car seat be fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be angled back slightly and not more than 300 from vertical, and must cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway may be blocked when the headrest isn't set back enough. The car seat should not be placed in a manner that could cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a crash, a young child could be thrown out of a forward-facing car seat, which could be fatal. A rolled up towel or pillow can be placed into the seat's base to help it recline, and this will keep your child comfy in the car.
A rear-facing car seats can help reduce injuries to the legs during crashes. In a frontal crash, the legs of a baby facing forward may fly up, hitting the back of the car seat. This can cause serious injury. In a rearward-facing seat however, the child's foot won't strike the seat and the harness will help cushion the impact. This greatly reduces the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are a myriad of options for infant car seats. However there are some that will not meet your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat is one that will fit your baby from birth to the age of four and is compatible with virtually every pram. This type of seat will have a harness to protect your child. It is designed to adapt to your child's needs with features such as an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats can be turned within the vehicle, giving your child a wider view of the road.
A new generation of infant car seats is built on height and not weight, which makes them safer for infants. These car seats, referred to as iSize or R129 in the UK they are approved by the EU and must meet the strict safety standards before being sold. The seat will have an inscription that displays the capital letter 'E' in a circle and also the letters "R129". These seats are easy to install and offer better protection against side impacts.
The Group 1 or 0 car seat will face rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that, they can be turned around to face forward. They will have a harness and are secured using either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some will come with an option for rotation which means you can move the car seat between vehicles without the use of a belt. Some are also able to fit on the majority of prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat can be used until your child reach the age of 11 and 105cm or until you decide to change it to an adult booster. Which recommends these car seats as the most secure. These car seats come with broad design and come with a one-handed recline setting and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them come with a lightweight handle that can be easily stowed in the suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most significant features of infant car seats is the ability to rotate. It allows the portion of the seat that is used to hold 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 particularly useful when the car has a trunk or backseat that is small. Additionally, it can make it easier to install the seat in another vehicle.
It's also easier to reach the buckles on the harness without disturbing a sleeping baby. This is a godsend for parents who have to deal with toddlers and trying to get them into the car. Some seats that rotate aren't equipped to accomplish this. It is worth reading online reviews of specific models to learn how well they perform.
A seat that can be used in conjunction with strollers is another feature that's important. This combination is called the travel system and is ideal for new parents seeking a single unit to help them navigate the various stages of their child's development. It's an excellent option for families who have multiple cars and can easily change between them without disturbing their baby.
Infant car seats are made to cradle newborns and babies up to one year of age. They are classified into four groups, Group 0, 1, 2 and 3. The Group 0 car seats, often referred to as carrycots, keep the child in a rear-facing location and connect to the vehicle using the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats usually attach to the vehicle's base by using LATCH, which is a simple system to connect all kinds of car seats.
A group 3 car seat is typically a convertible car seat that expands with the child, from newborn to around four years old. These seats have a higher weight and height limit as well as a headrest that is padded and adjustable, which helps protect the child in an accident. They also have an adjustable wedge for support and a luxurious carry handle, so they can double as a carry-on.