Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK oblige all children to use a car seat for children until they reach the age of a certain height or age. It is crucial to select the correct car seat for your child’s safety.
Which?, the consumer expert has rated this rearward facing seat as one of the top. It comes with a baby-hugging insert and also enhanced G-Cell protection against side impacts. It comes with a rotating feature that allows you adjust the seat to the most suitable position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Car seats that are rear-facing for infants are designed to safeguard babies from head and neck injuries in the event of a crash. Children who are seated forward-facing in car seats are seven-times more likely to suffer serious injuries than those who use rear-facing. Car seats that face the rear for infants are generally placed on the back seat and are smaller and less heavy. It is recommended that you always use an Infant Car Seat Uk 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 kinds: convertible car seat and all-in-one car seats. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own benefits and disadvantages. Convertible car seats begin with a rear-facing position and can be changed to face forward once your child is old enough. All-in one car seats have higher rearward-facing weight and size limitations so that your child is able to safely ride for longer in the seat.
When you select a rear-facing car seats for your baby, make sure it fits in your car and is installed correctly. Check the manufacturer’s labels and your vehicle owner’s manual for directions on how to properly install the seat. Also, examine the harness to make sure it’s snug and secure, and make sure your child can’t pinch a fold in the harness material. In addition, be sure to avoid wearing bulky clothing that might interfere with the straps.
Rear-facing seats are safer for babies than forward-facing seats since the force of the crash is less likely to be dissipated when the baby is placed in the seat. In addition, rear-facing seats offer greater protection for infants ejected from a vehicle in an accident that causes a side impact.
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. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits that let your child sit in the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
If your baby seat is no longer in the rear-facing infant car seat, you can flip them to face forward. However, you shouldn’t do this until they’ve reached the height and weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat. You should also speak with your child’s pediatrician.
According to the laws of physics, and safety research, children younger than two are safer in a rearward-facing seat. They are able to rest more comfortably in their seat, and are less likely to be injured by the belt or airbag. This is especially important for babies who’s necks and bones are still developing. The iSize guidelines recommend that all toddlers and infants ride rear-facing until they are at least 20 pounds or 12 months old and some experts recommend waiting even longer.
If your child grows out of the rear-facing car seat, you can switch them to an automobile seat that is convertible or comes with a five-point safety belt. These seats are designed to hold your growing baby and are often equipped with a movable newborn positioner. They come with a base, so they can be used in several vehicles and you can also purchase additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.
It is also recommended to use a car seat that has a headrest for children up to 20 pounds. The headrest should be slightly angled back and not more than 300 from vertical, and it should be able to cover 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 placed in a way that can cause a herniated disk in the spine.
In the event of a accident, a child could be thrown out of a forward-facing car seat, which could be fatal. You can put a rolled up pillow or towel under the base of the car seat to aid in reclining it. This will make your child more secure in the vehicle.
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 crashes. In a frontal collision, the legs of an infant car seat cheap facing forward could fly upwards, striking the back of the car seat. This can cause serious injuries. However, with a rear-facing seat the child’s legs are not likely to hit the seat, and will instead be cushioned by the harness. This will lower the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are many alternatives for infant car seats. However they may not all meet your baby’s needs. A multi-group infant car seat will accommodate your child from birth to around age four and it is compatible with all prams. This type of car seat comes with an adjustable harness that safeguards your child. It’s designed to adapt to the changing needs of it, with features such as an adjustable headrest or side impact wings. Some of these seats are also designed to rotate in the vehicle which allows you to alter their position and give your child a better view of the road ahead.
New infant car seats are built around height and not weight, which makes them more secure for your child. This type of car seat, referred to 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 label will show a capital “E” in a circle, along with the letters “R129”. These seats are easy to install and provide better protection against side impacts.
Group 1 and 0 car seats are rear-facing until your infant weighs at least 9kg weight and then they can be turned to face forward. They are fitted with a harness and are secured with either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without having to use the belts on your car. Some will fit onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 car seat will keep your infant safe until they reach 11 years old and up to 105cm tall, or until you decide to make them a booster seat. These are the most secure car seats, and are recommended by Which?. These car seats have an expansive design, with a one-handed reclining feature and at least 12 headrest positions. Some of them are designed for travel, with a lightweight carry handle that’s designed to fit easily in the suitcase.
Rotation function
The rotation feature of the infant car seat is one of its most significant features. It allows the part of the seat that is used to hold the infant to rotate 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 vehicle’s trunk or backseat are compact. It also makes it easier to install a seat in another vehicle.
The rotation feature also makes it easier to reach the harness buckles without disturbing the asleep baby, which is an absolute godsend when you’re trying to manage toddlers and get them in the car. Some rotating seats are not equipped to accomplish this. It’s worth reading online reviews about specific models to learn how well they perform.
A seat that can be used in conjunction with strollers is a further feature. There are many brands that offer this combination that is referred to as a travel system and is a great option for new parents who are looking for one unit that can guide them through all stages of their child’s development. This is also a great option for families who have multiple cars because they can effortlessly switch between them without disturbing their child.
Car seats for infants are designed for newborns and infants up to the age of one year. They are classified into four groups which are Group 0, 1 2, and 3. The Group 0 car seat, also known as carrycots or infant seats, keeps the child facing rearward and is attached to the vehicle with an ordinary seatbelt or ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically attached to the base of the vehicle using LATCH. This system connects the majority of kinds of car seats.
A convertible car seat, or group 3, is one that grows with your child from birth to about four years old. These seats have an extended height and weight limit, as well as a headrest that is adjustable and padded to protect the child from injuries in an accident. They also have a support wedge that can be removed, a luxury carrying handle, and a support bar that can be removed.
