Welcome to the world of parenthood! In this ever-changing world, even if this isn’t your first child, there are lots of things you are going to need to learn. This precious bundle is your to protect and keep safe. We are here to help guide you through one of your big decisions – the Car Seat! With so many car seat options available, it can be a very hard decision to make when choosing a car seat. Our Ultimate Car Seat Guide details some of the features that you need to look for when choosing a car seat and why these are important.
The Ultimate Car Seat Guide:
The first decision that you will need to make will be whether you will be purchasing an infant car seat/capsule or a combination/convertible car seat. Use our car seat guide to get all the info that you need to choose the perfect car seat.
To keep your child as safe as possible, choose a seat that is best suited to their age, height and weight range. Avoid second-hand car seats as you don’t know the history. Try and choose a car seat that will let your little one stay rear-facing for as long as possible.
Car seat guide on the different types of car seats
-
Infant Car Seat:
An infant car seat is usually sold as part of a Travel System. This means that the car seat is sold with a matching stroller, the car seat clips in and out of the stroller and can be used in the car too. They are designed as cozy nests with handles so that you can easy carry your precious bundle around. The benefits of a travel system are numerous, including the fact that you can move the capsule from home to car to shops, and back, without having to wake your little one. The Infant car seat can be used as a car seat, in the stroller and as a rocker as well as carrier. The infant car seat is also able to fit into a car seat base. This means that you can simply click the capsule into the base, like you would click it into the stroller. This offers considerable convenience for new parents. All infant car seats are rear-facing this will be explained in detail further down) and are suitable from birth to around 13kg. When you little one reaches this milestone, you will then need to purchase another car seat.
-
Convertible Car Seats:
These seats are great as options that grow with your child and often offer both rear and forward facing options. This gives you great value for money, especially if you buy a convertible car seat like the Joie Stages that grows with your little one up to around 7 years. Many of these car seats are suitable from birth, they come with a standard newborn insert that can be removed as baby grows. They also offer both rear and forward-facing positions so are extremely versatile. These types of seats can only be used in a vehicle.
Joie Stages convertible car seat. View more here: http://www.joiebaby.com/stages
-
Booster Seats:
Booster Seats are designed for older kids to give them a “boost”. These are usually group 2/3 car seats and are suitable from around age 4 to 12 years of age. Often these use the vehicle’s own seat belt and offer side protection in the event of a car accident. You can choose between a backless or high-back version of a Booster seat. Some options start out as a high-back booster and the back part removes to be used as a booster cushion.
-
Booster Cushions:
This is just a cushion that is used to boost your older child. They use the car’s seat-belt and don’t have any side protection.
Car Seat Guide on Car Seat Usage:
Joie Car Seat Guide:
Bambino Car Seat Guide
There are some very important features to consider when purchasing a car seat, these include:
Rear Facing:
This functions like it sounds, and faces the rear of the car. We believe that rear-facing is the safest way for your little one to travel and recommend keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible. Read our blog to find out the reasons why Rear-facing is so important.
Side Impact Protection:
Isofix / Latch: