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 a certain age or height. Selecting the right car seat is essential to keep your child safe.
Which?, the consumer champion has rated this rearward facing seat as among the best. It has a cosy baby-hugg inlay and enhanced G-Cell side impact protection. It has a rotation feature that allows you to adjust the seat to the optimal position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats for infants are designed to safeguard infants from neck and head injuries in a crash. Children who are in forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to be seriously injured, as compared to children who ride in rear-facing child safety seats. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are typically placed on the back seat, and are smaller and lighter than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended that you always use an infant car seat that is rear-facing until your child outgrows it or is at 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 drawbacks. Convertible car seats begin rear-facing and can be changed to face forward when your child is large enough. All-in one car seats have greater rearward-facing weight and limitations so that your child is able to safely ride for longer in the seat.
If you decide to purchase a rear-facing car seats for your baby, ensure it fits your vehicle and is installed correctly. Check the manufacturer's labels and your owner's manual for directions on how to properly install the seat. You should 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. In addition, be sure to not wear bulky clothing, which could interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure than car seats that face forward for babies because the force of a crash is dispersed more efficiently when the infant's body is held in the seat. Car seats that face the rear offer greater protection for infants who are ejected in a collision with a side.
If your child outgrows their rear-facing infant car seat you might consider switching to a seat which has a large rearward-facing weight and a size limit. A majority of convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that allow your child to use the seat for longer than two years.
Forward-facing
When infant car seat that swivels pushchairsandprams.uk outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can turn them around to face forward. It is best to wait until your child is at the manufacturer's weight and height limits before doing this. It's also an excellent idea to talk to your pediatrician about this.
According to the laws of physics and safety research, children under two are safer 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 particularly important for infants who's necks and bones are still developing. The i-Size guidelines suggest that all infants and toddlers ride rear-facing until they are at minimum 20 pounds or 12 months old, and some experts suggest waiting even longer.
If your child is no longer able to fit in the rear-facing infant 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 have an infant positioning device that is removable. They come with a base, which means they can be used in a variety of vehicles, and you can purchase additional bases if you own more than one vehicle.
For children weighing up to 20 pounds, it is also recommended that the car seat has a headrest. The headrest should be angled back slightly but not more than 300 degrees vertical, and it must cover the baby's ears. If the headrest isn't angled back enough it could entrap the baby's airway. The car seat should not be set in a way that could cause a herniated disk in the spine.
In the event of a crash, a young child may be thrown out of a forward-facing car seat, and this could be fatal. A towel that has been rolled up or pillow can be put beneath the seat's base to help it recline, and this will keep your child comfy 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 minimize leg injuries during collisions. In a frontal collision leg of a forward-facing infant can fly up and hit the back of the seat, which could cause serious injuries. However, with a rear-facing car seat, the child's legs are not likely to hit the seat and can be cushioned by the harness. This will reduce the risk of injury.
Multi-group
There are a variety of options for infant car seats. However there are some that will not meet your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat can accommodate your baby from birth to around the age of 4 and is compatible with virtually every pram. This type of car seat has a harness that protects your child. It is also designed to grow with it, with features such as an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats are also designed to be able to rotate inside the vehicle and allow you to change their position and give your child an improved view of the road ahead.
New infant car seats are based on height rather than weight, making 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 a capital 'E' in a circle, and the letters "R129". These seats are easier to put in and 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 turned to face forward. They will be fitted with a harness and are secured with either Isofix connections or the car seatbelt and tethers. Some of them will have an option for rotation which means you can move the car seat around without the use of a belt. Some are also able to fit onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 car seat will keep your baby until they are at least 11 years old and the height of 105cm or until you choose to convert them into an adult booster seat. They are the most secure car seats, and are recommended by Which?. They come with a wide design, a one-handed recline setting and no less than 12 headrest positions. Some of them come with a lightweight handle that can be easily stored in a suitcase.
Rotation function
The rotation feature of the infant car seat is among its most significant features. This feature permits the part of a car seat that holds the child to rotate on separate platforms which makes it easier for the parents to carry their child into and out of the vehicle. This feature is especially helpful when the car has trunk or backseat that is compact. In addition, it can assist in installing the seat in a different vehicle.
The rotating feature can also make it easier to access the harness buckles without disturbing the sleepy baby. It's an absolute blessing when trying to manage toddlers and get them into the car. However, some of the seats that rotate struggle to accomplish this goal, so it's worthwhile to read online reviews of specific models to see how well they work.
Another thing to consider is whether the seat is compatible with a stroller. This is referred to as a travel system and is ideal for parents who are seeking a single unit to guide them through the various stages of their child's development. It's also a great option for families that live in an automobile-centric household, since it gives them the option to switch cars quickly without causing any disruption to the child.
Infant car seats are made for infants and newborns 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 carrycots or infant seats, ensures that the child is facing rearward and is connected to the vehicle using the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats typically attach to the vehicle's base with LATCH which is a basic system to connect all kinds of car seats.
A seat in the group 3 category is typically a convertible car seat that expands with the child, from newborn to around four years of age. These seats come with an increased weight and height limit and a headrest that is padded and adjustable, which can protect the child in an accident. They also have an adjustable wedge for support and a luxurious carry handle, so that the seat can also double as a portable carrier.