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 an age or height. The choice of the correct car seat is crucial to ensure your child's safety.
Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward-facing seat as one of the top. It has a cosy 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 optimum position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats with rear-facing windows for infants are designed to safeguard babies 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. Rear-facing car seats for infants are usually installed on the back of the vehicle and are smaller and less heavy. It is recommended that you always use a rear-facing infant car seat until your child has outgrown it, or attains 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 for your baby, however each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Convertible car seats begin with a rear-facing position and can be changed to face forward when your child is old enough. All-in-one car seats feature greater rearward-facing weight and limits so that your child can enjoy a longer time in the seat.
When you select a rear-facing car seat for your baby, make sure it is compatible with your vehicle and is installed correctly. Check the manufacturer's labels and your vehicle owner's manual for directions on how to properly install the seat. Also, test the harness of the seat to ensure it is snug and secure, and also ensure your child can't pinch a fold in the harness material. Avoid wearing clothing that is bulky and could interfere with straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for infants than forward-facing seats, as the impact force is less likely to be dissipated when the infant is placed in the seat. Car seats with rear-facing windows also offer more protection for infants that are thrown in a collision with a side.
If your child has outgrown the rear-facing infant seat, you must consider switching to a convertible car seat with a rear-facing weight and height limit. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that allow your child to use the seat for longer than two years.
Forward-facing
When your baby outgrows the rear-facing infant car seats, you can flip them to face forward. But, you shouldn't do this until they have reached the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat. It is also recommended to consult your pediatrician about this.
According to the laws of physics, and safety research, children younger than two are more secure in a rearward-facing seat. They will be able to relax more comfortably in their seats, 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 iSize guidelines, toddlers and infants should be rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 pounds. Some experts suggest taking a longer time.
If your child outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat with a five-point harness. These seats are designed to accommodate your growing child and many come with 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.
It is also recommended to use a car seat that has a headrest for children weighing up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be angled back slightly, not more than 300 from vertical, and it should be able to cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway could be blocked in the event that the headrest isn't tilted back far enough. The car seat should not be positioned in a way that can cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In a crash, a young child can fall out of a rear-facing car seat, and this could be fatal. You can tuck a rolled-up pillow or towel under the base of the car seat to aid in reclining it. This will keep your child in the vehicle.
A rear-facing car seats can reduce leg injuries during collisions. In a frontal crash, the legs of a baby facing forward may fly upwards, striking the rear of the car seat. This could result in serious injuries. However, in a rear-facing seat, the child's legs will not strike the seat but will be cushioned by the harness. This greatly reduces the chance of injury.
Multi-group
There are a lot of choices for infant car seats but not all are suitable for your baby's needs. A multi-group infant car seat is one that can accommodate your baby from birth to the age of four, and is compatible with virtually every pram. This type of car seat has an adjustable harness that safeguards your child. It is designed to adapt to the changing needs of them, with features like an adjustable headrest or side impact wings. Some of these seats are designed to be able to rotate inside the vehicle which allows you to alter their position and give your child an improved view of the road ahead.
New infant car seats are built around height and not weight, making them more secure for your child. This kind of car seat, known as Maxi-Cosi Morion i-Size Child Car Seat Blue: Top Safety Choice for Pushchairs or R129 is approved by the EU in the UK and all of them have to be in compliance with strict safety requirements before they can be sold. The seat will be branded with an inscription that displays the capital letter 'E' in a circle, and the letters 'R129'. These seats are simpler to put in and offer greater protection against side impacts.
Group 1 and 0 car seats will be rearward-facing until your infant weighs at least 9kg or more, after which they can be turned to face forward. They are fitted with a harness and are secured by either Isofix or the car seat belt. Some models have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without using the belts on your car. Some will fit onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat can keep your child safe until they reach the age of 11 and 105cm or until you decide to transform it into a booster. They are the most secure car seats, and are recommended by Which?. These car seats have broad design and come with a one-handed reclining feature and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them come with an easy-to-use handle that can easily be tucked away in the suitcase.
Rotation function
The rotation function of the infant car seat is among its most significant features. It allows the part of the seat that holds the infant to rotate 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 a compact backseat or trunk. In addition, 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 sleeping baby. This is a great benefit for parents who are juggling toddlers and trying to get them into the car. However, some of the seats that rotate aren't able to achieve this goal, and it's worthwhile to read online reviews of specific models to find out how well they work.
A seat that can be used with strollers is another feature that's important. A lot of brands offer this option that is referred to as a travel system, and it's ideal for new parents who want a single unit that can be used throughout all 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 child.
Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants that are less than one year. They are grouped into four groups that are: Group 0, 1 3, and 4. The Group 0 car seat, also known as infant seats or carrycots, ensures that the child is facing rearward and is attached to the vehicle using the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant Car seat uk car seat is typically connected to the vehicle base using LATCH. This system connects all kinds of car seats.
A group 3 seat is usually a convertible car seat that expands with the child, from newborn to about four years old. These seats come with an increased height and weight limit and an adjustable, padded headrest to protect the child from injuries during the event of a crash. They also have a removable support wedge and a luxury carry handle, so that the seat can also double as a portable carrier.
