Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK require all children to use a car seat for their children until they reach a certain age or height. Choosing the right car seat is crucial to ensure your child's safety.
This rear-facing car seat is called one of the top by consumer champion Which? It comes with a soft baby-hugg insert and a heightened G-Cell side impact protection. It also has a rotation function that allows you to adjust the seat to the most optimal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are made to keep babies safe from neck and head injuries that can result from the event of a crash. Children who ride forward-facing car seats are seven-times more likely to sustain serious injuries than those who ride rear-facing. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are usually placed on the back seat and are lighter and smaller. It is recommended that you always use a rear-facing infant car seat until your child has outgrown it or is at the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.
There are two types of car seats: convertible car seat and an all-in-one car seat. Both are safe for your baby, however each has its own benefits and disadvantages. Convertible car seats start out rear-facing and can be changed to face forward once your child is large enough. All-in-one car seats have a higher rear-facing weights and height limits which means that your child is able to safely sit in the seat for longer period of time.
When you select a rear-facing car seat your child, ensure that it fits in your car and is properly installed. The instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer as well as in the owner's manual for your vehicle. Check the straps of the seat to ensure that they are secure and tight. Also, ensure that your child cannot pinch the harness material. Avoid wearing best car seats for infants Push Chairs And Prams that could cause problems for straps.
Rear-facing car seats are less dangerous than car seats that face forward for babies, because the force of a crash is dissipated more effectively when the infant's body is held in the seat. In addition, rear-facing car seats can provide more protection for infants who are removed from a vehicle during a side impact accident.
If your child is outgrowing his or her rear-facing infant seat, you must think about switching to a convertible seat with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. Many convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that permit your child to sit in the seat for a period of more than two years.
Forward-facing
When your child is outgrowing the rear-facing infant car seat, you can rotate them to face forward. It is best to wait until your child is at the weight and height limits before you do this. It is also an excellent idea to speak to your pediatrician about this.
Based on the laws of physics, and safety research, children under two are more secure in a rear-facing car seat. They will be able to relax more comfortably in their seat, and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is especially crucial for infants, who's necks and bones are still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines infants and toddlers should ride rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 lbs. Some experts suggest staying longer.
If your child grows out of the rear-facing infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible or all-in-one car seat with a five-point harness. These seats are designed to accommodate your growing child, and many include a removable infant positioner. These seats come with a base so that they can be used on different vehicles. You can also purchase additional bases if your car has more than one.
It is also recommended to use a car seat that has an adjustable headrest for infants up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be placed slightly back but not more than 300 degrees from vertical. It must also be able to cover the baby's ear. The baby's airway could be blocked if the headrest isn't angled back far enough. In addition, the car seat should not be placed at an angle that could cause a herniated disc to form in the spine.
In the event of a crash it is possible for children to fall out of a car seat that faces forward. This can be fatal. You can tuck a rolled-up towel or pillow under the seat's base to help it recline. This will make your child more comfortable in the car.
In addition to protecting children from falling out of their seats There is evidence that a rear-facing car seat may reduce leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal crash the legs of a baby facing forward could fly up, hitting the back of the car seat. This could result in serious injuries. However, with an rear-facing seat, the child's legs won't strike the seat but will be cushioned by the harness. This reduces the chance of injury.
Multi-group
There are plenty of alternatives for infant car seats, but not all of them will meet the needs of your baby. A multi-group infant car seat is one that will accommodate your child from birth to around the age of four and is compatible with almost any pram. This type of car seat comes with a harness that protects your child, and 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 are also designed to rotate in the vehicle and allow you to change their position and give your child an enhanced view of the road ahead.
A new generation of infant car seats is built around height rather than weight, which makes them safer for infants. The car seats, referred to as iSize or R129 in the UK, are EU-approved and must meet strict safety standards to be sold. The seat will be branded with a label that shows an 'E' capitalized in a circle and also the letters 'R129'. They are also simpler to fit, and they offer better protection from side impacts.
Group 1 and 0 car seats are rear-facing until your infant weighs at least 9kg weight after which they can be turned forward. They will be fitted with a harness and are secured using either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some will have the ability to rotate that means you can move the car seat around without the need for a belt, and some of them can be used onto most 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 transform it into a booster. Which? recommends these car seats as the most secure. These car seats come with an expansive design, with a one-handed reclining setting and at least 12 headrest positions. Some are designed for travel, with a carry handle that's designed to easily fit into the suitcase.
Rotation function
The rotation function of the infant car seat is one of its most significant features. It allows the part of the seat that 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 particularly useful in vehicles with trunk or backseat that is compact. Additionally, it can help you install the seat in another vehicle.
It's also much easier to reach the buckles on the harness without disturbing a sleepy baby. This is a blessing for parents who are juggling toddlers and trying to get them into the car. Some rotating seats are not capable of achieving this. It is worth reading online reviews for specific models to learn the quality of their performance.
A seat that can be used with strollers is a further feature. This is referred to as a travel system and is perfect for parents who are looking for a single product to guide them through the various stages of their child's development. It's also a great option for families with a multi-car household because it allows them to switch cars easily without disturbing the child.
Car seats for infants are designed for infants and newborns that are less than one year. They are divided into four groups that are: Group 0, 1 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to as carrycots or infant seats, ensures that the child is facing rearward and is attached to the vehicle via the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats usually attach to the vehicle's base by using LATCH which is a straightforward system for connecting most types of car seats.
A seat in the group 3 category is usually a convertible car seat that expands with the child, starting from infant to around four years old. These seats have an extended height and weight limit, as well as an adjustable, padded headrest to protect the child from injuries during an accident. They also have a removable support wedge as well as a deluxe carrying handle, and an adjustable support bar.