Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
In the UK, all children are required to use a child's seat until they reach certain heights or ages. Selecting the right car seat is vital to keep your child safe.
Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward-facing seat as among the best. It comes with a baby-hugging insert, as well as an enhanced G-Cell defense against side-impacts. It also has a rotation feature that lets you to adjust the seat to the ideal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are made to protect infants from neck and head injuries during an accident. Children who ride forward-facing in car seats are seven-times more likely to sustain serious injuries than those who are rear-facing. best car seat www.pushchairsandprams.uk that are rear-facing for infants are typically placed on the back seat and are smaller and lighter. 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 types: convertible car seats and an all-in-one car seat. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seats are in the rear, but it can be turned to face forward once your child is big enough. All-in-one car seats have a higher rear-facing weight and height limits which means that your child can safely ride in the seat for a longer time.
Be sure that the rear-facing car seats you pick for your child are compatible with your vehicle and are correctly installed. The instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer as well as in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Test the seat's straps to ensure that they are tight and secure. Also, make sure that your child cannot pinch the harness material. Additionally, you should try to stay clear of wearing bulky clothes that could impede the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for babies than forward-facing seats because the force of the crash is less likely to be dissipated when a baby is cradled within the seat. In addition, rear-facing car seats offer more security for infants ejected from a vehicle in an accident with a side impact.
If your child is outgrowing the rear-facing infant seat, think about switching to a convertible car seat that has a high rear-facing weight limit and height. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that allow your child to use the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
When your baby outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can rotate them to face forward. You should wait until your child has reached the weight and height limits before doing this. You should also speak with your child's doctor.
Physics laws and safety research have demonstrated that children under two years old are safer when they sit in a rear-facing seat. They can rest more comfortably in their seats and are less likely than other passengers to be injured by airbags or belts. This is particularly crucial for infants, their necks and bones are still developing. The i-Size guidelines recommend that toddlers and infants sit rear-facing until at least 20 pounds or 12 months old and some experts advise to wait even longer.
If your child is no longer able to fit in the rear-facing infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has 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 a variety of vehicles. You can also buy additional bases if your car has more than one.
It is also recommended to use a car seat with an adjustable headrest for infants up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be placed slightly back, but not more than 300 degrees vertical. It should also protect the baby's ears. If the headrest is not properly angled it could block the baby's airway. In addition, the car seat should not be placed at an angle that can result in a herniated disc developing in the spine.
In the event of a crash, it is possible for children to fall out of the car seat that is facing forward. This could result in death. You can place a rolled-up towel or pillow under the seat's base to help it recline. This will keep your child in the car.
In addition to protecting children from falling out of their seats there is evidence to suggest that rear-facing car seats can reduce leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal impact, 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 seat the child's legs will not strike the seat but will be cushioned by the harness. This can significantly lower the chance of injury.
Multi-group
There are plenty of choices for infant car seats, but not all will fit your baby's needs. A multi-group infant seat can fit your child from birth until around age four, and is compatible with the majority of prams. This type of seat includes 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 turned within the vehicle to give your child a better perspective of the road.
New infant car seats are designed to be based on height, not weight, which makes them more secure for your child. The car seats, also referred to as R129 or iSize in the UK are approved by the EU and must meet strict safety standards before being sold. The seat will come with a label that shows an 'E' capitalized in a circle, as well as the letters "R129". These seats are easy to install and offer better protection against side-impacts.
Group 0+ and 1 car seats are rear-facing until your infant weighs at least 9kg or more, after which they can be turned forward. They are fitted with a harness and are secured using either Isofix or the car seat belt. Some have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without the need for a belt of the car. Others can be fitted on the majority of prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat will be used until your child reach the age of 11 and 105cm or until you decide to change it to a booster. These are the safest car seats, and they are recommended by Which?. They have a wide design, a one-handed recline setting and more than 12 headrest positions. Some of them come with an easy-to-use handle that can be easily stored in a suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most important characteristics of infant car seats is its rotating feature. This feature permits the part of the seat that is used to hold the child to rotate on a separate platform which makes it easier for the parents to get their child into and out of the vehicle. This feature is particularly useful when the trunk or backseat is compact. It can also make it easier to install a seat in another vehicle.
The rotating feature can also make it easier to access harness buckles without disturbing the asleep baby, which is a real godsend if you're juggling toddlers while trying to get them in 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 determine how well they perform.
Another crucial aspect to look for is whether the seat is compatible with a stroller. A lot of brands offer this option that is referred to as a travel system and is a great option for new parents who want one unit that can guide them through all phases of their child's life. It's also a great choice for families with a multi-car household, as it gives them the option to switch cars easily without disturbing the baby.
Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants until the age of one year. They are classified into four groups: Group 0, 1 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to as infant seats or carrycots, keeps the child facing backwards and is connected to the vehicle using the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically connected to the vehicle's base with the help of LATCH. This system connects the majority of types of car seats.
A group 3 seat is usually a convertible car seat that expands with the child from newborn to about four years of age. These seats have an extended height and weight limit and an adjustable, padded headrest to protect the child from injury in a crash. They also have an adjustable support wedge as well as a deluxe carrying handle, and a support bar that can be removed.