Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
In the UK All children in the UK are required to use a child’s seat until they reach a certain height or ages. 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 one of its top rated baby car seats. It has a baby-hugging inlay and also enhanced G-Cell protection from side-impacts. It has a rotation feature that lets you to adjust the seat in the most suitable position for your vehicle.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing infant car seat Uk car seats are designed to protect infants from head and neck injuries that can result from an accident. Children who ride forward-facing car seats are seven times more likely to suffer serious injuries than those who ride rear-facing. Rear-facing infant car seats are usually positioned on the back of the car and are smaller and lighter than convertible child safety seats. It is recommended to use a rear facing infant car seat until the child has outgrown it or has reached the weight or height limit for forward-facing use.
There are two types: convertible car seats and all-in one car seat. Both are safe for your baby, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Convertible car seats are rear-facing, but can be turned to face forward once your child is large enough. All-in one car seats have greater rearward-facing weight and limitations so that your child can safely ride for longer in the seat.
Be certain that the rear-facing car seats you select for your baby fit your vehicle and are properly installed. You can find instructions for installing the seat on labels of the manufacturer and in the owner’s manual of your vehicle. Also, test the harness of the seat to make sure it’s snug and secure, and ensure that your child isn’t able to pinch a fold in the harness material. Also, make sure to avoid wearing bulky clothing that might 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 a baby is in the seat. In addition, rear-facing car seats offer more protection for infants expelled from a vehicle after a side impact accident.
If your child has outgrown his or her rear-facing infant seat, you must think about switching to a convertible seat with a rear-facing weight limit and height. Many convertible car seats come with rear-facing limits, which allow your child to use the seat for more than two years.
Forward-facing
When your baby outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat you can rotate them to face forward. However, you shouldn’t do this until they’ve reached the height and weight limits of the seat manufacturer. It’s also a good idea to consult your pediatrician about it.
According to the laws of physics and safety research, children younger than two are safer in a rearward-facing seat. They can rest more comfortably in their seats and are less likely than other passengers to be injured by an airbag or belt. This is particularly important for infants who’s necks and bones are still developing. The iSize guidelines recommend that toddlers and infants ride rear-facing until they are at minimum 20 pounds or 12 months old, and some experts advise to wait even longer.
If your child is growing out of the rear-facing car seat you can move them to a car seat that’s convertible or has a five-point safety belt. These seats are made to accommodate your growing child and many come with a removable infant positioner. These seats come with a base to allow them to be used on multiple vehicles. You can also buy additional bases if your car has more than one.
For children weighing 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 vertical, and it should cover the baby’s ears. The baby’s airway may be blocked when the headrest isn’t set back far enough. Additionally, the car seat shouldn’t be set at an angle that can result in a herniated disc developing in the spine.
In a crash, it is possible for children to fall out of a car seat that faces forward. This could result in death. A towel that has been rolled up or pillow can be placed beneath the base of the seat to allow it to recline, and this will keep your child safe in the car.
In addition to protecting children from falling out of their seats there is evidence to suggest that a rear-facing car seat may reduce leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal crash, the legs of a child facing forward can be swept upwards, hitting the rear of the car seat. This can cause serious injuries. However, with an rear-facing seat, the child’s legs won’t hit the seat and can 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 car seat is one that will fit your baby from birth to the age of four, and can be used with nearly any pram. This type of car seat has an adjustable harness that safeguards your child. It is designed to adapt to the changing needs of the child, with features like an adjustable headrest and side impact wings. Some of these seats are also designed to be rotated in 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 built around height and not weight, making them safer for your child. This type of car seats, referred to as iSize or R129 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 the label with a capital ‘E’ in a circle, and the letters ‘R129’. These seats are easier to install and offer better protection against side-impacts.
Group 1 and 0 car seats will be rearward-facing until your child is at least 9kg weight after which they can be turned forward. They are fitted with a harness and are secured using either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some have a rotating feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to another without the need for a best car seat infant belt. Others can be fitted onto most prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat will keep your infant safe until they are at least 11 years old and up to 105cm tall, or until you choose to make them a booster seat. They are the most secure car seats and are recommended by Which?. They feature a broad design with a recline feature that is one-handed and no less than 12 headrest positions. Some of them are also designed for travel, and come with a carry handle that’s designed to easily fit into 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 that is used to hold the infant to rotate on a separate base making it easier for parents to get the child in and out of the car. This feature is especially useful when the vehicle’s trunk or backseat is compact. It also makes it easier to install a seat in another vehicle.
It’s also much easier to reach the buckles on the harness without disturbing a sleeping baby. This is a blessing for parents who are juggling toddlers and trying to get them in the car. Some seats that rotate aren’t capable of achieving this. It is worth reading online reviews about specific models to determine how well they perform.
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 new parents seeking a single unit to help them navigate the various stages of their child’s development. It’s an excellent option for families who have multiple cars because they can easily change between them without disturbing their baby.
Car seats for infants are designed to cradle newborns and babies 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, place the child in a rear-facing position and connect to the vehicle with a standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically connected to the base of the vehicle by using LATCH. This system connects most types of car seats.
A convertible car seat, also known as group 3, is one that grows with your child from birth to about four years old. These seats feature an increased weight and height limit, as well as a headrest that is padded and adjustable, which helps protect the child in an accident. They also come with a support wedge that can be removed and a luxurious carry handle, so they can double as a portable carrier.