Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK require all children to use a car seat for their children until they reach a certain age or height. It is crucial to select the correct car seat for your child's safety.
Which?, the consumer champion has rated this rearward facing seat as among the top. It has a baby-hugging inlay as well as enhanced G-Cell protection from collisions with the sides. It has a rotation feature that lets you adjust the seat to the ideal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are designed to shield infants from neck and head injuries during an accident. Children who use forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injured than those who ride in rear-facing child safety seats. Rear-facing infant car seats are usually positioned in the back of the vehicle and are lighter and smaller than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended to use a rear facing infant car seat until the child is outgrowing it or reaches the weight or height limit for forward-facing use.
There are two types 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 advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seat start with the rear facing, but can be turned forward once your child is large enough. All-in-one car seat have higher rear-facing weight and height limits, so your child is able to safely sit in the seat for longer time.
When you select a rear-facing car seat for your child, ensure that it fits in your car and is properly installed. The instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer and in your vehicle's owner's manual. Also, test the harness of the seat to make sure it's snug and secure, and also ensure your child isn't able to pinch a fold in the harness. Also, make sure to avoid wearing bulky clothing, which could interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for babies than seats that face forward, as the force of the crash is more efficiently dissipated when the baby is cradled within the seat. Additionally, rear-facing car seats offer more protection for infants who are expelled from a vehicle after a side impact accident.
If your child is outgrowing the rear-facing infant seat, consider changing to a convertible car seat with a rear-facing weight limit and height. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that let your child ride in the seat for a period of more than two years.
Forward-facing
You can turn your baby around to face forward once they have outgrown the rear-facing infant seat. However, you shouldn't do this until they've reached the weight and height limits of the seat manufacturer. It is also a good idea to talk to your pediatrician about it.
Based on the laws of physics, and safety research, children less than two are more secure 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, their 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 taking a longer time.
If your child is growing out of the rear-facing car seat you can move them to an automobile seat that is convertible or comes with five-point safety harness. These seats are designed to accommodate your growing child, and a lot have an infant positioner that can be removed. These seats come with a base so that they can be used on a variety of vehicles. You can also purchase additional bases if your vehicle has more than one.
It is also recommended to use a car seat that has an adjustable headrest for infants up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be slightly angled back but not more than 300 degrees from vertical, and must cover the baby's ears. The baby's airway may be blocked when the headrest isn't set back sufficiently. In addition the car seat should not be positioned at an angle that could result in a herniated disc developing in the spine.
In the event of a crash, a young child could be thrown out of a forward-facing car seat, and this may be fatal. You can place a rolled-up towel or pillow under the base of the car seat to aid in reclining it. This will make your child more secure in the car.
In addition to protecting children from falling out of their seats There is evidence that a rear-facing car seat may minimize leg injuries during collisions. In a frontal impact, the legs of a forward-facing infant can fly up and strike the back of the seat, which can cause serious injury. However, in a rear-facing car seat, the child's legs won't strike the seat but will be cushioned by the harness. This will lower the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are many options for infant car seats. However they may not all meet your baby's needs. A multi-group infant seat will accommodate your child from birth to about age 4, and is compatible with the majority of prams. This type of car seat comes with a harness that protects your child. It is also designed to grow with them, with features like an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats can be rotated within the vehicle to give your child a better perspective of the road.
New infant car seats are built around height and not weight, which makes them safer for your child. The car seats, referred to as R129 or iSize in the UK they are approved by the EU and must meet the strict safety standards before being 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 easier to put in and offer greater protection against side impacts.
Group 0+ and 1 car seats will be rearward-facing until your child is at least 9kg or more, after which they can be turned to face forward. They will have a harness and are secured using either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some of them come with 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 most prams.
A group 1/2/3 car seat will keep your baby until they reach 11 years old and 100cm, or until you choose to convert them into a booster seat. They are the most secure car seats, and they are recommended by Which?. These car seats come with broad design and come with a one-handed reclining setting and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them are designed for travel, and come with a lightweight carry handle that's designed to fit easily in the suitcase.
Rotation function
The ability to rotate the infant car seat is among its most important features. It allows the part of the seat which holds the baby to spin on a separate base, making it easier for parents to move the child in and out of the car. This feature is especially helpful in vehicles with trunk or backseat that is compact. Pushchairs And Prams makes it easier to install a seat into another vehicle.
It's also much easier to reach the buckles on the harness without disturbing a sleepy baby. This is a great benefit for parents who have to deal with toddlers and trying to get them into the car. Some seats that rotate aren't able to achieve this goal. It's worth reading online reviews of specific models to learn the quality of their performance.
A seat that can be used with strollers is a further feature. This is referred to as a travel system, and is ideal for parents who are looking for a single product to help them navigate 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 baby.
Car seats for infants are designed for infants and newborns up to the age of one year. They are grouped into four groups which are Group 0, 1 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to infant or carrycots ensures that the child is facing rearward and is connected to the vehicle using an ordinary seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats generally attach to the vehicle's base by using LATCH, which is a simple system to connect all kinds of car seats.
A group 3 seat is usually a convertible car seat that grows with the child from newborn to around four years of age. These seats come with an increased height and weight limit and a headrest that is adjustable and padded to shield the child from injury in the event of a crash. They also have a support wedge that can be removed and a deluxe carry handle, so that the seat can double as a mobile carrier.