Choosing an Infant Car Seat in the UK
Car seat laws in the UK require all children to use a car seat for 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 one of its most comfortable. It features a baby-hugging inlay, as well as enhanced G-Cell protection from side impacts. It has a rotation feature that lets you adjust the seat to the ideal position for your vehicle.
top rated infant car seats -facing
Rear-facing infant car seats are made to keep babies safe from neck and head injuries during the event of a crash. Children who use 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 face the rear for infants are typically installed on the back of the vehicle and are smaller and lighter. It is recommended that you always use the rear-facing infant car seat until your child outgrows it, or attains the weight or height limits for forward-facing use.
There are two kinds of rear-facing infant car seats convertible car seats and all-in-one car seats. Both are safe, however they each have distinct advantages and drawbacks. Convertible car seats are facing the rear and can be turned to face forward once your child is old enough. All-in-one car seats have higher rear-facing weight and height limits which means that your child is able to safely sit in the seat for longer duration.
If you decide to purchase a rear-facing car seats for your baby, ensure it fits in your car and is installed correctly. Review the manufacturer's label and your owner's manual for instructions on how to install the seat. It is also important to examine the harness to make sure it's snug and secure, and make sure your child isn't able to pinch a fold in the harness. Avoid wearing clothes that are bulky and might interfere with straps.
Rear-facing car seats are more secure for infants than forward-facing seats, as the impact force is more effectively dissipated when the infant is in the seat. Car seats with rear-facing windows also offer more protection for infants that are thrown during a collision on the side.
If your child outgrows their rear-facing infant car seat, you might want to think about changing to a seat that has a heavy rearward-facing weight limit and size. A majority of convertible car seats have rear-facing limits that allow your child to sit in the seat for over two years.
Forward-facing
You can turn your baby around to face forward when they outgrow the rear-facing infant seat. However, you shouldn't do this until your child has reached the height and weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat. It's also an excellent idea to speak to your pediatrician about it.
The laws of physics and safety research have proven that children who are less than two years old old are safer when they travel in a rear-facing seat. They can sit more comfortably in their seats and are less prone than other passengers to be injured by an airbag or belt. This is particularly crucial for infants, whose bones and necks are still developing. According to the i-Size guidelines, infants and toddlers should be rear-facing for at least 12 months or 20 pounds. Some experts suggest taking a longer time.
If your child outgrows the rear-facing infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that has a five-point harness. These seats are made to accommodate your growing child, and many include an infant positioning device that is removable. They come with a base so they can be used in a variety of vehicles and you can buy additional bases if you have more than one vehicle.
For children weighing up to 20 pounds, it is also recommended that the car seat be fitted with a headrest. The headrest should be slightly angled back and not more than 300 degrees from vertical, and must cover the baby's ears. If the headrest is not properly angled it could entrap the baby's airway. In addition the car seat shouldn't be positioned at an angle that could cause a herniated disc in the spine.
In the event of a accident, a child may fall out of a rear-facing car seat, and this may be fatal. You can place a rolled-up cushion or towel beneath the seat's base to help it recline. This will make your child in the vehicle.
In addition to preventing children from falling out of their seats there is evidence to suggest that rear-facing car seats can reduce leg injuries in crashes. In a frontal collision, the legs of a baby facing forward could fly up, hitting the rear of the car seat. This could result in serious injuries. In a rear-facing car seat the child's legs won't strike the seat but will be cushioned by the harness. This will reduce the risk of injuries.
Multi-group
There are plenty of options out there for infant car seats but not all of them will meet the needs of your baby. A multi-group infant car seat is one that will fit your baby from birth to around the age of four and can be used with nearly any pram. This type of car seat has a harness that protects your child. It is designed to adapt to the changing needs of them, with features like an adjustable headrest or side impact wings. Some of these seats are also designed to rotate in the vehicle and allow you to change their position, giving your child an improved view of the road ahead.
A new generation of infant car seats is based on height instead of weight, which makes them safer for infants. This kind of car seat, also known as i-Size or R129, is approved by the EU in the UK, and all of them have to meet strict safety regulations to be sold. The label will show a capital "E" in circles, as well as the letters "R129". These seats are also easy to fit, and they provide better protection against side-impacts.
The Group 1 or 0 car seat will be facing rearwards until your child weighs at minimum 9kg. After that they can be turned to face forward. They come with a harness and are secured by either Isofix or the car seatbelt. Some have a rotation feature, which allows you to move the car seat from one vehicle to the next without using the car belt. Others will fit on the majority of prams.
A group 1/2/3 seat can keep your infant safe until they reach 11 years old and 105cm tall, or until you decide to turn them into an adult booster seat. They are the most secure car seats, and they are recommended by Which?. They have a wide design, a one-handed recline setting and more than 12 headrest positions. Some have handles that are lightweight and can easily be tucked away in the suitcase.
Rotation function
The ability to rotate an infant car seat is among its most prominent features. This feature allows the portion of the seat that is used to hold the child to rotate on an independent platform making it easier for the parents to get their child into and out of the car. This feature is particularly useful when the vehicle's trunk or backseat is compact. It also makes it easier to install a seat into another vehicle.
The rotating feature also makes it easier to reach the harness buckles without disturbing the sleeping baby, which is a real godsend if you're juggling toddlers while trying to take them to the car. Some seats with a rotating feature aren't equipped to accomplish this. It's worth reading online reviews of specific models to learn how well they perform.
A seat that can be used in conjunction with strollers is a further feature. This type of combination is known as a travel system and is perfect for parents who are looking for a single unit to take them through the different stages of their child's development. It's also a great option for families with an automobile-centric household, since it allows parents to change cars without causing any disruption to the infant.
Infant car seats are designed for infants and newborns up to the age of one year. They are divided into four groups: Group 0, 1, 2 and 3. The Group 0 car seats, also known as carrycots, place the child in a rear-facing location and connect to the vehicle using the standard seat belt or an ISOFIX fitting. The Group 1 infant car seat is typically attached to the vehicle base using LATCH. This system connects all types of car seats.
A convertible car seat, or group 3, is one that grows with your child from birth until about four years old. These seats feature a higher weight and height limit and an adjustable headrest with padding that will protect the child from an accident. They also have an adjustable wedge for support and a luxury carry handle, so that the seat can double as a portable carrier.