Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to use a car seat for children until they reach a certain age or height. Choosing the right car seat is vital to keep your child safe.
Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward-facing seat as one of its top. infant carrier seat comes with a soft baby-hugg insert and a heightened G-Cell side impact protection. It also features a rotating function that allows you to adjust the seat in the optimum position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats with rear-facing windows for infants are designed to shield babies from head and neck injuries in the event of a crash. Children who ride forward-facing in car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injuries than children who use rear-facing. Rear-facing infant car seats are typically placed on the back of the car and are lighter and smaller than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended to use a rear-facing infant car seat until the child has outgrown it or has reached the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.
There are two kinds of rear-facing infant car seats convertible car seats and all-in-one car seats. Both are safe, but they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Convertible car seats are with a rear-facing position and can be turned around to face forward when your child is large enough. All-in one car seats have greater rearward-facing weight and limits so that your child can safely remain in the seat.
Be sure that the rear-facing seats you choose for your baby fit your vehicle and are installed correctly. The instructions for installing the seat on the labels of the manufacturer and in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Check the straps of the seat to ensure they are tight and secure. Also, ensure that your child doesn't get the material of the harness. Avoid wearing bulky clothing that might cause problems for 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 in the seat. Rear-facing car seats also provide better protection for infants ejected during a collision on the side.
If your child is outgrowing their rear-facing infant car seat you might want to think about changing to a seat that has a large rearward-facing weight and a size limit. Many convertible car seats have rear-facing limits, which allow your child to use the seat for longer than two years.
Forward-facing
You can turn your baby around to face forward when they outgrow the rear-facing infant seat. It is best to wait until your child has reached the manufacturer's weight and height limits before you do this. It is also a good idea to consult your pediatrician about this.
Based on the laws of physics and safety research, children less than two are more secure in a rear-facing seat. They are able to rest more comfortably in their seat and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is particularly important for infants whose necks and bones are still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines, toddlers and infants must 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 seat it is possible to switch them to a car seat that is convertible or comes with a five-point safety belt. These seats are designed to hold your growing child and a lot of them come with a baby-friendly positioner that can be removed. They are available with a base, so they can be used in several vehicles and you can buy additional bases if you own more than one vehicle.
For children weighing up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that a car seat has a headrest. The headrest should be angled slightly back but not more than 300 from vertical, and should cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway could be blocked when the headrest isn't set back sufficiently. The car seat should not be placed in a way that can result in a herniated disk developing in the spine.
In the event of a crash, a young child could fall out of a forward-facing car seat, and this could be fatal. A towel that has been rolled up or pillow can be put under the base of the seat to make it recline, and this will keep your child safe in the car.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats There is evidence that rear-facing car seats can help reduce injuries to the legs in crashes. In a frontal crash the legs of a forward-facing infant can be swept upwards and strike the back of the seat, which could cause severe injury. However, with a rear-facing car seat the child's legs won't hit the seat and can be cushioned by the harness. This will lower the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are many alternatives for infant car seats. However, not all will suit your baby's needs. A multi-group infant car seat is one that will accommodate your child from birth to around the age of 4 and is compatible with almost any pram. This type of car seat comes with a harness to protect 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 designed to rotate in the vehicle and allow you to change their position and give your child an improved view of the road ahead.
New infant car seats are designed to be based on height, not weight, which makes them safer for your child. The car seats, also known as R129 or iSize in the UK, are EU-approved and must meet the strict safety standards before being sold. The seat will come with the label with a capital 'E' in a circle, as well as the letters 'R129'. These seats are simpler to install and offer better protection against side-impacts.
The Group 0+ or 1 car seat will be facing rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that, they can be turned around to face forward. They will come with a harness and are secured with either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt as well as tethers. Some of them will have the ability to rotate, which means that 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 can last your infant until they are at least 11 years old and 105cm tall, or until you choose to make them an adult booster seat. Which is the best car seat? as the most secure. They feature a broad design, a one-handed recline setting and more than 12 headrest positions. Some of them are also built for travel, with a lightweight carry handle designed to fit easily in a suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most important features of an infant car seat is its rotating feature. 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 compact backseat or trunk. In addition, it could make it easier to install the seat in the vehicle of a different.
It's also much easier to reach the buckles of the harness without disturbing a sleepy baby. This is a blessing for parents who are trying to manage toddlers and trying to get them into the car. However, some rotating seats have a hard time achieving this goal, and it's worthwhile to read online reviews of specific models to see how well they perform.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat is compatible with a stroller. There are many brands that offer this combination and is known as a travel system, and it's ideal for new parents who want one unit that can be used throughout all stages of their child's life. It's also an excellent choice for families that live in a multi-car household because it allows them to change cars without causing any disruption to the infant.
Car seats for infants are designed for infants and newborns that are less than one year. They are divided into four groups which are Group 0, 1 3, and 4. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to infant seats or carrycots, keeps the child facing rearward and is connected to the vehicle using a standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats generally attach to the vehicle's base with LATCH which is a straightforward method for connecting all types of car seats.
A convertible car seat, also known as group 3 is one that grows with your child from birth until about four years old. These seats come with an increased height and weight limit as well as a headrest that is adjustable and padded to help protect the child from injury in the event of a crash. They also have a removable support wedge and a luxury carry handle, so that the seat can double as a mobile carrier.