Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to use a car seat for their children until they reach an age or height. Choosing the right car seat is crucial to ensure your child's safety.
This rearward-facing car seat is called one of the top by consumer champion Which? It features a cozy baby-hugg inlay as well as enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It also features a rotating function that lets you adjust the seat to the best position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are made to protect babies from neck and head injuries in an accident. Children who ride in forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injured, compared to those who ride in rear-facing child safety seats. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are usually placed on the back seat and are smaller and lighter. It is recommended to always use the rear-facing infant car seat until your child outgrows 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 as well as all-in-one car seats. Both are safe, but they each have their own advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seats start out facing the rear and can be turned around to face forward when your child is old enough. All-in-one car seats have greater rearward-facing weight and limits to ensure that your child is able to safely ride for longer in the seat.
Make certain that the rear-facing car seats you select for your baby are suitable for your vehicle and are installed correctly. Review the manufacturer's label and your owner's manual for directions on how to properly install the seat. Test the straps on the seat to make sure they are tight and secure. Also, ensure that your child cannot pinch a fold on the material of the harness. Avoid wearing bulky clothing that can interfere with straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for infants than forward-facing seats, as the impact force is more effectively dissipated when the baby is cradled within the seat. In addition, rear-facing car seats offer greater security for infants expelled from a vehicle after an accident with a side impact.
If your child has outgrown his or her rear-facing infant seat, think about changing to a convertible car seat that has a high rear-facing weight limit and height. A majority of convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that allow your child to use the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
You can rotate your baby to face forward once they outgrow the rear-facing infant seat. It is best to wait until your child is at the manufacturer's weight and height limits before you do this. You should also speak with your child's doctor.
The laws of physics and safety research have demonstrated that children under two years old are safer when they sit in a rear-facing seat. They will be able to relax more comfortably in their seat 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 i-Size guidelines, infants and toddlers should be rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 lbs. Some experts recommend staying longer.
If best car seats newborn is no longer able to fit in the rear-facing infant seat, you can move them to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a five-point harness. These seats are designed to support your growing infant, and many are equipped with a removable newborn positioner. They come with a base, which means they can be used in several vehicles, and you can purchase additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.
For children who weigh up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that a car seat is fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be angled back slightly but not more than 300 degrees from vertical, and should be able to cover the baby's ears. If the headrest isn't properly angled it could block the baby's airway. The car seat should also not be set in a manner that could cause a herniated disk in the spine.
In a accident, a child may 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 keep your child in the vehicle.
A rear-facing car seat can help reduce injuries to the legs during collisions. In a frontal crash, the legs of a baby facing forward could fly upwards, striking the rear of the car seat. This could cause serious injuries. In a rearward-facing seat however, the child's leg will not hit the seat, and the harness can help cushion the impact. This greatly reduces the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are a myriad of options for infant car seats. However, not all will suit your baby's needs. A multi-group infant car seat is one that will fit your baby from birth to around the age of 4 and is compatible with almost any pram. This type of car seat has an adjustable harness that safeguards your child. It's also designed to grow with them, with features like an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats are designed to be rotated in the vehicle which allows you to alter their position to give your child an improved view of the road ahead.
A new generation of infant car seats is built around height rather than weight, making them safer for your baby. This kind of car seat, also known as i-Size or R129, is approved by the EU in the UK, and all of them must be in compliance with strict safety requirements before they can be sold. The seat will have an inscription that displays the capital letter 'E' in a circle, as well as the letters "R129". These seats are also easy to fit, and they provide better protection against collisions with the sides.
Group 1 and 0 car seats are rear-facing until your infant weighs at least 9kg in weight, after which they can be turned forward. They come with a harness and are secured using either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some models have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without using the belt of the car. Others can be fitted on most prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat will keep your baby until they are at least 11 years old and 105cm tall, or until you choose to convert them into an adult booster seat. They are the most secure car seats, and are recommended by Which?. These car seats feature an expansive design, with a one-handed recline setting and at least 12 headrest positions. Some have handles that are lightweight and can easily be tucked away in a suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most important features of an infant car seats is the ability to rotate. This feature permits the part of a seat that holds the child to rotate on an independent platform, making it easier for the parents to carry their child in and out of the vehicle. This feature is especially useful when the trunk of the car or backseat is small. It can also make it easier to install a seat into another vehicle.
The rotation function also makes it easier to reach the harness buckles without disturbing the sleepy baby, and it's an absolute godsend when you're trying to manage toddlers and get them into the car. Some seats with a rotating feature aren't able to achieve this goal. It's worth reading online reviews for specific models to determine the quality of their performance.
Another important feature to look out for is whether the seat can be used with a stroller. This is referred to as a travel system, and is ideal for new parents seeking a single unit to guide them through the various stages of their child's growth. This is an excellent option for families with multiple vehicles and can effortlessly switch between them without causing any disturbance to their child.
Car seats for infants are designed to hold babies and newborns from one year age. They are divided into four groups: Group 0, 1 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seats, which are sometimes called carrycots, keep the child in a rear-facing location and connect to the vehicle using the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically attached to the base of the vehicle with the help of LATCH. This system connects most types of car seats.
A group 3 seat is usually a convertible car seat that grows with the child, starting from newborn to around four years of age. These seats have a higher weight and height limit, as well as a padded adjustable headrest that will protect the child from an accident. The seats also feature a removable support wedge as well as a deluxe carrying handle and a support bar that can be removed.