Choosing best car seats for infants in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to use a car seat for their children until they reach a certain age or height. Choosing the right car seat is vital to keep your child safe.
Which?, the consumer expert, has rated this rearward-facing seat as one of the top. It has a cosy baby-hugg insert and a heightened G-Cell side impact protection. It also comes with a rotation function that allows you to adjust the seat to the optimum position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats with rear-facing windows for infants are designed to protect babies from head and neck injuries in a crash. Children who ride forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injuries than children who ride rear-facing. Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are generally placed in the back of the car and are smaller and less heavy. 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: convertible car seat and an all-in-one car seat. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Convertible car seats start in the rear, but it can be turned to face forward when your child reaches a certain size. All-in-one car seats have a higher rear-facing weight and height limits which means that your child is able to safely sit in the seat for a longer period of time.
If you decide to purchase a rear-facing car seats for your baby, ensure it fits your vehicle and is properly installed. Review the manufacturer's label and your owner's manual for directions on how to install the seat. Test the straps on the seat to ensure that they are tight and secure. Also, ensure that your child cannot pinch a fold on the material of the harness. Additionally, you should try to avoid wearing bulky clothing that might interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing car seats are less dangerous than forward-facing car seats designed for infants, as the force of a crash is lessened when the infant's body is cradled in the seat. Car seats with rear-facing windows also offer better protection for infants ejected in a side-impact accident.
If your child outgrows their rear-facing infant car seat, you might consider changing to a seat that has a heavy rearward-facing weight and a size limit. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that let your child use the seat for a period of more than two years.
Forward-facing
When your baby outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can flip them to face forward. But, you shouldn't do this until your child has reached the height and weight limits of the seat manufacturer. It is also an excellent idea to speak to your pediatrician about this.
Based on the laws of physics, and safety research, children less than two are more secure in a rear-facing seat. They can sit more comfortably in their seats and are less likely than other passengers to be injured by a belt or an airbag. This is particularly important for infants who's necks and bones are still developing. The i-Size guidelines recommend that 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 is growing out of the rear-facing seat, you can switch them to an automobile seat that is convertible or has a five-point safety belt. These seats are designed to support your growing baby and are often equipped with a removable newborn positioner. They are available 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 who weigh up to 20 pounds, it is recommended that the car seat is fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be angled back slightly, not more than 300 degrees vertical, and it should cover the baby's ears. If the headrest isn't correctly angled back it could entrap the baby's airway. In addition the car seat should not be placed at an angle that can cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a crash it is possible for children to fall out of a car seat that faces forward. This could be fatal. You can put a rolled up pillow or towel under the seat's base to help it recline. This will make your child more secure in the vehicle.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats There is evidence that a rear-facing car seat may reduce leg injuries in collisions. In a frontal crash, the legs of a baby facing forward can fly up, hitting the rear of the car seat. This could cause serious injury. However, in a rear-facing seat the child's legs will not hit the seat, and will instead be cushioned by the harness. This will reduce the risk of injury.
Multi-group
There are many choices for infant car seats. However, not all will suit your baby's requirements. A multi-group infant car seat is one that can accommodate your baby from birth until around the age of four, and is compatible with virtually every pram. This type of car seat includes an adjustable harness to safeguard your child. 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, giving your child a greater view of the road.
A new generation of infant car seats is built on height and not weight, making them safer for your infant. This type of car seat, referred to as iSize or R129 is approved by the EU in the UK, and all of them have to comply with strict safety standards before they can be sold. The seat will have an inscription that displays an 'E' capitalized in a circle, and the letters 'R129'. They are also simpler to install and provide better protection from side impacts.
The Group 0+ or 1 car seat is designed to face rearwards until your child weighs at least 9kg. After that, they can be rotated to face forward. They come with a harness and are secured with either Isofix or the car seat belt. Some come with a rotation feature which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to the next without having to use the belts on your car. Some will fit on the majority of prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat will 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. Which recommends these car seats as the safest. These car seats feature an expansive design, with a one-handed recline setting and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them come with a lightweight handle that can easily be tucked away in the suitcase.
Rotation function
One of the most important features of an infant car seats is its rotating feature. It allows the portion of the seat which holds the baby to spin on a separate basis, making it easier for parents to get the child in and out of the car. This feature is particularly useful when the car has a compact backseat or trunk. In addition, it can assist in installing the seat in the vehicle of a different.
The rotation function also makes it easier to reach the harness buckles without disturbing the asleep baby. It's an absolute blessing when juggling toddlers while trying to get them in the car. Some seats with a rotating feature aren't able to achieve this goal. It's worth reading online reviews about specific models to find out how they perform.
Another thing to look out for is whether the seat is compatible with a stroller. Many brands offer this combination that is referred to as a travel system and is ideal for parents who want an all-in-one unit that will guide them through all stages of their child's development. It's also a great option for families who have multiple cars and can effortlessly change between them without disturbing their baby.
Car seats for infants are designed to be used by babies and infants from one year age. They are classified into four groups: Group 0 1, 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also referred to infant or carrycots keeps the child facing backwards and is connected to the vehicle with the standard seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seats typically attach to the vehicle's base using LATCH, which is a simple system for connecting most types of car seats.
A group 3 car seat is typically a convertible car seat that expands with the child, from infant to around four years of age. These seats have a higher weight and height limit as well as a headrest that is padded and adjustable, which will protect the child from an accident. They also have a removable support wedge as well as a deluxe carrying handle, and an adjustable support bar.