Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
In the UK, all children must use a child seat until they reach certain heights or age. It is important to choose the appropriate car seat to ensure your child's security.
This rear-facing car seat has been described as one of the top by the consumer advocate Which? It has a cosy baby-hugg inlay as well as enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It has a rotation feature that lets you to adjust the seat in the optimal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are made to protect babies from neck and head injuries during a crash. Children who are seated forward-facing in 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 generally installed on the back of the vehicle and are lighter and smaller. It is recommended to use a rear facing infant car seat until the child is outgrowing it or has reached the weight or height limits for forward facing use.
There are two types of car seats: convertible car seats and an all-in-one car seat. Both are safe, however they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Convertible car seats begin rear-facing and can be turned to face forward when your child is big enough. All-in-one car seats feature higher rearward-facing weight and size limits to ensure that your child can remain in the seat.
Before you choose a rear-facing car seat your child, ensure that it is compatible with your vehicle and is installed correctly. There are instructions for installing the seat on the labels of the manufacturer as well as in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Test the straps on the seat to make sure they are secure and tight. Also, make sure that your child doesn't get a fold on the material of the harness. Additionally, you should try to stay clear of wearing bulky clothes that might interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are safer than forward-facing car seats for babies, because the impact force is dissipated more effectively when the infant's body is in the seat. Car seats with rear-facing windows also offer better protection for infants ejected in a side-impact accident.
If your child has outgrown the rear-facing infant seat, you must think about switching to a convertible car seat that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. Many convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that let your child ride in the seat for over two years.
Forward-facing
When your child is outgrowing the rear-facing infant car seats, you can flip them to face forward. It is best to wait until your child has reached the manufacturer's weight and height limits before doing this. It is also advisable to talk with your child's doctor.
Based on the laws of physics, and safety research, children under two are safer in a rear-facing seat. They are able to rest more comfortably in their seats and are less likely than other passengers to be injured by an airbag or belt. This is especially important for babies whose necks and bones are still developing. The i-Size guidelines suggest that all toddlers and infants ride rear-facing until they weigh at least 20 pounds or 12 months old, and some experts advise to wait even longer.
If your child outgrows the rear-facing infant seat you can transfer 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 an infant positioner that can be removed. These seats come with a base so that they can be used on multiple vehicles. You can also buy additional bases if you own a vehicle that has more than one.
For children weighing up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that the car seat is fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be placed slightly forward, but not more than 300 degrees from vertical. It must also protect the baby's ears. If the headrest is not properly angled, it could pinch off the baby's airway. The car seat should not be set in a manner that could cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a crash, a young child could be thrown out of a forward-facing car seat, and this could be fatal. You can place a rolled-up cushion or towel beneath the base of the car seat to assist in reclining it. This will help keep your child more comfortable in the vehicle.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats There is evidence that rear-facing car seats can reduce leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal impact the legs of a child who is facing forward could be swept upwards and strike the back of the seat, which can cause serious injury. In a rearward-facing seat, the child's leg won't strike the seat, and the harness can cushion the impact. This can significantly lower the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are a myriad of choices for infant car seats. However, not all will suit your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat will accommodate your child from birth until around the age four, and is compatible with most prams. This type of car seat comes with a harness that is designed to protect your child. It is designed to adapt to the changing needs of them, with features like an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats can be rotated within the vehicle, giving your child a wider view of the road.
Pushchairs & Prams are built around height and not weight, which makes them safer for your child. This type of car seats, also referred to as iSize or R129 in the UK they are approved by the EU and must meet stringent safety standards before they can be sold. The seat will be branded with a label that shows an 'E' capitalized in a circle and also the letters 'R129'. These seats are also easier to fit, and they offer greater protection against side impacts.
The Group 0+ or 1 car seat will be facing rearwards until your child weighs at least 9kg. After that they can be rotated to face forward. They will come with a harness and are secured with either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some models have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to the next without using the belt of the car. Others can be fitted onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat can keep your child safe until they reach the age of 11 and are 105cm tall 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 and a one-handed recline option and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them are designed for travel, and come with a lightweight carry handle that's designed to easily fit into a suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most important features of infant car seat is the ability to rotate. It allows the portion of the seat which 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 especially useful when the vehicle's trunk or backseat is compact. It can also make it easier to install a seat into another vehicle.
It's also much easier to reach the buckles on the harness without disturbing a sleeping baby. This is a blessing for parents who have to deal with toddlers and trying to get them in the car. However, some of the seats that rotate aren't able to achieve this goal, and it's worth looking up online reviews of specific models to see how well they work.
A seat that can be used with strollers is another feature that's important. There are many brands that offer this combination, which is known as a travel system, and is a great option for new parents who are looking for an all-in-one unit that will take them through all the phases of their child's life. This is an excellent option for families with multiple cars because they can easily switch between them without causing any disturbance to their child.
Infant car seats are designed to be used by babies and infants from one year age. They are classified into four categories, namely Group 0 1, 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seats, also known as carrycots, put the child in a rear-facing location and connect to the vehicle with the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically connected to the vehicle's base by using LATCH. This system connects all types of car seats.
A convertible car seat, or group 3, is one that grows with your child from birth to approximately four years old. These seats come with an increased height and weight limit as well as an adjustable, padded headrest to shield the child from injuries in a crash. They also have an adjustable support wedge as well as a deluxe carrying handle and an adjustable support bar.