Baby Car Seats Buyers Guide

From your baby's first journey home from hospital, you need to ensure they are secured in a car seat. It not only makes sense, it is the law that children under three years old must wear an approved child restraint, appropriate to their weight.

Baby car seats should be used from birth until your baby weighs up to 13kg. Some seats cater for a wider weight range than others so they can be used for a longer period - weight limits are usually indicated in the product details so make sure you check them before you buy.

Baby car seats are generally lightweight which makes it easier to manoeuvre them in and out of the car. When out of the car, they can double as a baby chair, and for added comfort, most chairs have adjustable seat positons and rocking facilities. Some manufacturers offer travel systems that give you a baby car seat which fits on a compatible pushchair frame, a great tip if you are looking to buy a pushchair.

The most crucial factors when buying a car seat are safety, fit, ease of use and comfort. The type you choose will depend on what your needs are as a parent. Factors to consider are;
- The age and weight of your child,
- Whether it needs to be portable,
- The expected life of the seat - do you anticipate using the same seat from the birth of your child till they no longer need to use one?

There are four types of car seats for babies. They are;

1. Infant carriers - Rearward facing
2. Combi Seats or Two-in-Ones - Rearward & Forward facing
3. Booster seats
4. Car manufacturers' baby car seats

Infant Carriers
These are the first car restraints for newborns and are suitable up to a weight of 10kg. They are used rearward facing and are designed to fit in both the back and front of the car. They usually come with an adjustable carry handle so you can carry the baby straight from car to house without being disturbed. They are secured by a lap and diagonal seatbelt in the front or back of the car.

Pros:They are light and portable Babies often fall asleep on car journeys, so it is a real bonus to be able to take them out without waking them up. They are a cosier fit for newborns, and also double up as rockers or static low chairs for baby at home.
Cons: Babies quickly outgrow them as they are only suitable for children up to 10kg (around 9months old).

Combination 2 in 1 seats
Two way car seats are good value as they can be used for a longer period, i.e., for children up to 18kg (around four years old). For young babies, up to around 10kg, they are used rear facing after which they can be turned around and used forward facing. Forward facing seats use the adult seatbelt to secure the seat into the car.

Pros: More economical as they can be used from your baby's first journey until they are around four years old.
Cons: They are big and cumbersome, so you cannot lift them out with a sleeping baby.

Booster Seats
These are forward facing seats that convert to a booster seat (with the back removed) for an older child weighing between 9 - 36 kg. (approx. 9 months - 6 years old). The seat and the child are secured using an adult seat belt in the front or rear of the car.

Pros: Booster seats provide additional height so that your child can see out of the car window.
Cons: Since they are backless they will not have the same functinality as other car seats, e.g., usable out of the car as a baby chair with rocking facilities.

Car Manufacturers
Some car manufacturers sell their own car seats which are often bolted into the car.

Pros: These are a good idea as you know the seat is correctly fitted.
Cons: If you want to use more than one car, it means you have to buy an extra car seat.

No matter which seat is appropriate for your baby remember that safety comes first. There are a number of safety tips that may help you make the best choice.

- Make sure it fits. RAC research has shown that safety seats are fitted incorrectly in as many as two thirds of cars. Manufacturers usually provide fitting instructions and include telephone helplines if you have any problems. Retailers often offer a fitting service so remember to ask.
- When it comes to fitting; Your car seat belt must fit through the seat guides and the seat has to sit securely on the upholstery without rocking.
Check that the seat's harness is fitted correctly by inserting the flat of your hand between the belt and the child's shoulder. If there's room for more than one hand, it's too loose. You should check this on each trip as different clothing can affect the fit.
If your retailer does not fit it for you, it is best to get your car seat fitted by a professional. Contact the road safety department of your local council for help.
- Never put a child's car seat in the front of the car if it is fitted with a passenger side airbag. The force would crush a baby or small child.
- Buy the seat according to your child's weight, not age recommendations, and move to the next stage seat when your baby reaches the maximum weight limit. Children grow at different rates, and a stocky, tall four year old can be a lot heavier than a slim, light five year old. A car seat will not be able to protect your child from the force of an accident effectively if it is not strong enough for the child's weight and the straps are not the correct fit.

Check that:

- The carry handle is comfortable on an infant carrier
- The buckle on the harness is easy to use, so you can secure and free the baby easily.
- You can lengthen and tighten the harness straps easily on each journey. The easiest are those where you just pull on a strap.

Check the fabric is soft and padded. The most comfy straps have pads to cushion them. For hygiene reasons, it's best to have removable, machine washable fabric covers. It's a good idea to buy a head support for baby's first months for added protection and support. Some seats recline, which is useful when your baby wants to sleep on a long journey. Some manufacturers also sell matching play trays, sun hoods and spare covers for when one is in the wash.

So, before you buy remember the following things:
1. Buy the car seat according to your child's weight, rather than age recommendations.
2. For infant carriers, make sure the handle is comfortable.
3. Make sure that buckles are easy to use.
4. Check that it will be comfortable for baby - soft and padded.
5. Try and get removable, machine washable covers.
6. For very young babies, get a head support to keep his or her head from lolling around.

It is of utmost importance that the car seat is fitted correctly. If the retailer cannot fit it themselves, contact the road safety department of your local council for help.