Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to 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.
Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward facing seat as one of its top. It comes with a soft baby-hugg inlay and enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It has a rotation feature that lets you adjust the seat to the ideal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are designed to protect babies from head and neck injuries that can result from the event of a crash. Children who are seated forward-facing in car seats are seven times more likely to sustain serious injuries than children who are rear-facing. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are usually placed in the back of the car and are smaller and lighter. It is recommended to use a rear-facing infant car seat until the child has outgrown it or reaches the weight or height limit for forward-facing use.
There are two types: convertible car seat and an all-in-one car seat. Both are safe, but they each have their own advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seat start rear-facing, but can be turned forward when your child reaches a certain size. All-in-one car seat have higher rear-facing weights and height limits which means that your child is able to safely sit in the seat for a longer period of time.
If you decide to purchase a rear-facing car seat for your baby, ensure it is compatible with your vehicle and is installed correctly. You can find instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer and in your vehicle's owner's manual. Check the straps of the seat to ensure that they are tight and secure. Also, make sure that your child cannot pinch a fold on the material of the harness. In addition, be sure to avoid wearing bulky clothing that might interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are less dangerous than car seats that face forward for babies because the impact force is dispersed more efficiently when the baby's body is in the seat. In addition, rear-facing car seats offer greater protection for infants expelled from a vehicle after 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 large rearward-facing weight and size limit. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that let your child ride in the seat for over two years.
Forward-facing
You can flip your baby to face forward once they are outgrowing the rear-facing infant seat. You should wait until your child has reached the manufacturer's weight and height limits before doing this. It is also an excellent idea to consult your pediatrician about it.
The laws of physics and safety research have proven that children younger than 2 years old are safer when they sit in a rear-facing seat. They are able to rest more comfortably in their seats and are less prone than other passengers to be injured by airbags or belts. This is especially crucial for infants, who's necks and bones are still developing. According to the iSize guidelines, toddlers and infants must ride rear-facing for a minimum of 12 months or 20 lbs. Some experts recommend waiting even longer.
If your child is growing out of the rear-facing seat it is possible to switch them to a car seat that is convertible or comes with five-point safety harness. These seats are made to accommodate your growing child, and many come with an infant positioning device that is removable. These seats include a base to allow them to 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 angled back slightly but not more than 300 from vertical, and it should cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway could be blocked when the headrest isn't set back far enough. The car seat should also not be placed in a manner that could cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a accident, a child could fall out of a rear-facing car seat, and this may be fatal. A towel that has been rolled up or pillow can be placed beneath the seat's base to help it recline more, and this will help keep your child comfortable in the car.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats, there is evidence that a rear-facing car seat may reduce leg injuries in collisions. In a frontal collision leg of a child facing forward can fly up and strike the back of the seat, which can cause severe injury. In a rearward-facing chair the child's leg will not hit the seat and the harness will absorb the impact. This reduces the chance of injury.
Multi-group
There are a myriad of options for infant car seats. However they may not all meet your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat is one that can accommodate your baby from birth to the age of four, and can be used with nearly any pram. best car seats of seat comes with a harness that protects your child, and it is designed to grow with your child, with features such as an adjustable headrest as well as side impact wings. Some of these seats can be rotated within the vehicle to give 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, also referred to as iSize or R129 in the UK, are EU-approved and must meet the strict safety standards to be sold. The label will have a capital "E" in a circle, along with the letters "R129". These seats are also easier to install, and offer greater protection from collisions with the sides.
Group 1 and 0 car seats will be rearward-facing until your infant is at least 9kg weight, after which they can be turned forward. They will come with a harness and are secured with either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some will have an option for rotation that means you can move the car seat between vehicles without using the car belt. Some are also able to fit onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat can last your child until they reach the age of 11 and are 105cm tall or until you decide to change it to an adult booster. These are the most secure car seats and are recommended by Which?. They have a wide design with a recline feature that is one-handed and more than 12 headrest positions. Some are designed for travel, with a carry handle that's designed to fit easily in the suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most significant features of infant car seats is its rotation feature. It allows the part of the seat that is used to hold the infant to rotate on a separate basis, making it easier for parents to get the child in and out of the car. This feature is especially useful when the car has a compact backseat or trunk. It also makes it easier to install a seat in another vehicle.
The rotation function can also make it easier to access the harness buckles without disturbing the asleep baby, and it's an absolute blessing when trying to manage toddlers and take them to the car. However, some of the seats that rotate aren't able to achieve this objective, and it's worthwhile to read online reviews of specific models to see how well they function.
Another crucial aspect to consider is whether the seat can be used with a stroller. This combination is called the travel system and is ideal for new parents looking for a single unit to guide them through the different phases of their child's development. It's an excellent option for families who have multiple cars because they can effortlessly switch between them without causing any disturbance to their child.
Car seats for infants are designed to hold babies and newborns until one year old age. They are divided into four groups that are: Group 0, 1, 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seats, also known as carrycots, put the child in a rear-facing position. They connect to the vehicle using the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically attached to the vehicle base with the help of LATCH. This system connects most types of car seats.
A seat in the group 3 category is typically a convertible car seat that expands with the child, from infant to around four years old. These seats feature a higher weight and height limit as well as a headrest that is padded and adjustable, which will protect the child from an accident. The seats also feature a removable support wedge and a luxurious carrying handle, and an adjustable support bar.